Discover Kyoto: Your Ultimate Kyoto Guide

In a country where dining out can be tricky for vegetarians, Kyoto is the exception. Its vast number of Buddhist temples helped the city develop into a centre for shojin ryori – ‘devotion cuisine’ – tofu-based vegetarian dishes. For the non-vegetarian, Kyoto offers a diverse range of dining options from no-frills standing noodle bars to a candlelit yakiniku (Japanese barbeque) dinner on a restaurant terrace overlooking the banks of the Kamo River.

Home to nearly three-quarters of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and thousands of temples, Kyoto boasts an impressive number of must-see tourist attractions. Highlights include the beautiful Golden Pavilion, majestic Nijo Castle, and tranquil Arashiyama bamboo grove. While Kyoto has an excellent rail network, many of the main sights are at opposite edges of the city, so a bit of pre-planning can potentially save you a lot of backtracking.

Kyoto offers the full range of accommodation options, from elegant five-star resorts to more affordable hotels and hostels. The city is famous for its ryokan guesthouses, where you can experience a traditional Japanese-style inn complete with sliding shoji doors, tatami mat flooring, and futons.