Hotels in Kyoto

Discount Kyoto Hotels for Your fantastic Kyoto Vacation!

Nestled among the mountains of Kansai area, Kyoto is one of the most popular destinations of Japan, seconded only to the capital Tokyo. It is the city with a modern look at the first sights painted with abundant high-rise buildings and glass facet shopping arcades. In fact, resides beneath the contemporary shell is the city's true soul and beauty, ones that make the city become the most beautiful city of Japan.

As an ancient town, and more than a thousand years as the imperial capital of the country, the city has enclosed countless heritages that have been passed through generations, majestic historical edifices, and passionate vistas that always impressed its visitors for centuries. There are thousands of temples, shrines, and interesting sights in the city of Kyoto, but most of the essential attractions located in Arashiyama, Higashiyama and Gion, the districts that surround modern Kyoto.

Arashiyama is located in the west-end side of the city. It is best known for Kinkaku-ji or the temple of the Golden Pavilion, most widely-recognized building of Kyoto. The image of the golden pavilion reflected in the pond surrounding by beautiful mountain and forest is breathtaking. Another interesting spot in the district is Ryoan-ji Temple which is famous for its Karesansui (rock garden). This rock garden is enclosed by earthen wall, and look much like a mysterious painting that use gravel to draw picture instead of ink and colour. After immerse into the meditation art, you can stretch your legs walking in the extensive grounds of the Temple, which is particularly striking in autumn.

Higashiyama is situated in the eastern side of the city, and is the old neighbourhood of Kyoto. This area is famous for the World Heritage Site, Kiyomizu Temple which features an enormous hall with wooden veranda that juts out of the side of a mountain. This terrace supported by 13-meter-high wooden columns and is one of the best places to see the view of the city especially during sunset. From the temple, you can walk through the old street of Hisashiyama to Yasaka Shire up north. This stone paved alleyway lined up with rows of Japanese traditional houses and offers an exotic atmosphere particularly during Higashiyama Hanatoro in March when the street illuminated with thousands of lanterns.

The other highlight neighbourhood of Kyoto is Gion, the most famous Geisha district of the city. The area is a popular travelling and shopping venue filled with shops, restaurants and teahouses where "Geiko" (Kyoto dialect of Geisha) and "Maiko" (Geisha apprentice) entertain their guests. It is also the venue for Japan's most famous festival, Gion Matsuri which takes place during the month of July.