{"id":98900861,"date":"2019-06-27T15:50:27","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T19:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/?p=98900861"},"modified":"2019-08-08T16:17:02","modified_gmt":"2019-08-08T20:17:02","slug":"why-kyoto-is-trending","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/why-kyoto-is-trending\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyoto: Why This Breakthrough City is America\u2019s New Trendy Travel Destination"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019d been in Japan for nearly a week when my husband looked up from his phone, mid-trip planning. \u201cThe problem with Japan,\u201d he said, \u201cIs that there\u2019s no real consensus on where to visit. The cities surrounding Tokyo all get positive reviews. But Kyoto is the only place travelers say you have<\/em> to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a reason Kyoto is the new darling of Instagram, and America\u2019s new trendy destination. Snagging cheap international flights to Kyoto is a dream come true for a lot\u00a0of travelers. Home to 17 UNESCO world heritage sites, it does the perfect job of embracing modern civilization while preserving long-valued tradition. It gives you the mountains and the city. You get all of the best food without the hassle of millions of others vying for the same spot at the table. It\u2019s old-world tourism with a local feel is something that city-weary visitors, tired of the flashy lights and busy sidewalks, seek during leisure travel. It\u2019s travel with a soul, and\u00a0the things to do and see in Kyoto may just take your breath away.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Relatively Quiet<\/h3>\n

\"Old<\/p>\n

In a world hungry for the next big thing, Kyoto isn\u2019t loud or assuming. It has a natural beauty commonly found in Japan, with a city infrastructure that generally enhances rather than detracts from the landscape. It has all of the modern conveniences travelers want and even seek out when traveling, with a rail and bus system, plentiful taxis, and shopping. But it doesn\u2019t have the siren-wailing, trash accumulating big-city feel. I\u2019ve heard that during peak travel times, the streets bustle and the restaurants are full. But since we visited during the off-season, we found none of that. Compared to Tokyo, Beijing, and Singapore — the other stops on our two-week trip, it was almost peaceful.<\/p>\n

It’s Easy (and Enjoyable!) to Get Around<\/h3>\n

\"Bike<\/p>\n

Due to its popularity, there’s no shortage of cheap international flights<\/a> to Kyoto, and\u00a0once you get there, getting around is just such a pleasure. Directly behind our hotel raced the Kamo River, where we took electric bikes to various sites. For a large majority of our trip, we rode on the well-maintained riverbanks, eventually exiting to bike along the roads to our destination. Not since Amsterdam have I found a city so easy to navigate from a bicycle. If biking isn\u2019t your speed, the local bus and rail system are easy to manage. We paid 200 yen each for most one-way bus rides, equivalent to about $2 USD. We also walked all over the city, particularly enjoying our strolls along the river. At night, restaurants light up the river and families and tourists make their way home or into the downtown area. Painters set up along the banks, giving it a Parisian feel. Contrast this experience with that of me wedging myself like a sardine into a Tokyo station train car and I can see why Kyoto tourism is on the rise.<\/p>\n

The Scenery is Stunning<\/h3>\n

\"Himeji<\/p>\n

During early April, the city is awash in millennial pink as cherry blossoms spill along the river and throughout the city. The fall foliage is almost equally impressive, with Japanese maples bursting into vibrant color during November and December. We visited during the spring after the Sakura season<\/a>, but I wasn\u2019t complaining, either. Everything was green and luscious in mid-May. The walkways, bike paths, and even parts of downtown,\u00a0with landscaping that’s been carefully executed, were awash in floral and greens. The weather was a perfect 75 degrees for most of the trip.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a Historical Gold Mine<\/h3>\n

\"Fushimi<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s Japanese history you seek, Kyoto is your place. There are over 1,600 temples in Kyoto, and many of them are open to the public for visitors.\u00a0Twelve of these temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites<\/a><\/u>. There\u2019s also\u00a0three Shinto shrines and one\u00a0historic castle. Since Kyoto housed the imperial family until the headquarters moved to Tokyo in 1869, the city still maintains a sense of pride as being the center of Japanese life for nearly a thousand years. And when you visit the imperial palace, you get a glimpse into the way the Japanese lived hundreds of years ago. If you are a true history buff, I recommend hiring a guide or at least reading about the symbolism behind the many shrine symbols before you visit. Our Swiss guide, Margaux, was extremely helpful, particularly at the Fushimi Inari Shrine<\/a><\/u>. I wouldn\u2019t have understood what the locals were doing at the shrine, and especially the history and symbolism of the Torii gates.<\/p>\n

The Food<\/h3>\n

\"Beautiful<\/p>\n

I consider myself first and foremost to be a food tourist. Sometimes when you venture from the capital or main city the food lacks. But, after Tokyo and Paris, Kyoto is the city with the third most Michelin stars in the world<\/a>. Its food scene lacks nothing — even for budget diners like myself. We used food forums,\u00a0asked locals, and our concierge for local favorites. Here are some of the best things we tried:<\/p>\n