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Kyoto is the most mysterious, eccentric and japanesque city in Japan. When you know more,
you fall into it deeper.
We put a little general information here. If you need to know more details, which of course you do, you can;
and if you want to enjoy Kyoto as the locals do, visit "the local's Kyoto guide"
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The most popular and crowded time is checrry blossom season, the beginning of April and fall
color season, from the end of November to the beginning of December. Needless to say, price goes up and it is very hard to find accomodations in those time.
Kyoto has four seasons plus rainy season, and you won't believe how much the temprature changes in a year. If you come in winter of summer, you better prepare well.
Also Kyoto has lots of interesting festivals and events all year round. You might find something you wnat to come for.
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From Kansai International airport, 73 min by JR "Haruka" Kansai Airport Limited Express. From Tokyo,
you can take Japanese famouse expensive but very efficient bullet train, the JR "Nozomi" Shinkansen by 2 hr and 22 min.
From Osaka, 27 min by JR for 540 yen.
To get around in Kyoto, you can go alsmot everywhere by subway and buses. Cab is also very useful but not cheap. However
I highly recommend rent-a-bike. Kyoto city is not a very big city so that you can get to most of the places by bicycle.
You will feel so cool when you ride along Kamo river. But one thing you have to be careful about is where
you park your bike. You don't want to park your bike around subway and train stations and on a big street
path, otherwise they will be impounded by the city. Here is a very convinient
rent-a-cycle service . Although you will find more (possively cheaper) when you get to the city.
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- When you get to Kyoto station, first you go to Kyoto Tourist Information Center to get a city and bus
map for free in Kyoto station.
- You can buy the magazine "Kansai Time Out" 300 yen at book stores, which provides you with up to date information of Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe) area .
- You can find the free magazine "Japanzine" at bars and cafes, covering not only Kansai area but all over Japan.
- Another free magazine is "Kansai Scene" also available at bars and cafes, local Kansai information.
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- < July, 2005 >
- 1.00 EUR = 134 JPY
- 1.00 USD = 112 JPY
- 1.00 CNY = 13.6 JPY
- 1.00 KRW = 0.107 JPY
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It's said that Kyoto people are generally more secretive and mean compared to other Japanese.
You can find even many published books titled "Meanness of Kyoto People" or "The Food Only Kyoto
People eat" etc etc... Kyoto once had been the capital of Japan for over 1000 years since 794. People are
proud of their culture cultivated and sophisticated and what they really hate is that outsiders coming in and
messsing with local ways they've kept so long. That's one of the reason why they're called mean and secretive. However once
you show your effort to learn and fit in tickle citizens' pride, then they are incredibly nice to you. So,
don't be scared! They are not evil. |
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Now let's try to speak simple Japanese phrases. Japanese will love your awkward Japanese!
- Hello : konnichiwa
- Thank you : arigato
- Sorry : sumimasen
- Excuse me : sumimasen
- Good bye : sayonara
- Good morning : ohayo/ohayo gozaimasu (more polite)
- Good night : oyasumi
- I would like to have this one : kore kudasai
- How much is this? : ikura desuka?
- Delicious! : oishii!
- Fantastic!! : saiko!!
- Awful! : saitee!
- I love it! : daisuki!
- Where is ~ ? : ~ wa dokodesuka?
- How to get to ~ ? : ~ wa doyatte ikemasuka?
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