As the ancient Imperial capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is a city that overflows with tourist appeal. With one foot in the past and one foot in a modern, progressive future, the vital cog in the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto megalopolis is a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage city.

The worst of World War II destruction did not pass through Kyoto, which is a wonderful stroke of fortune for visitors today who marvel at the almost absurd collection of pristine Buddhist temples, shrines, monuments and gardens.

Together, they comprise a set of dozens of attractions that in truth, have no rival in Japan. No wonder that on a per capita basis, the city with 1.5 million people receives more tourists than anywhere else in the country.

Though some may mistake Kyoto for a time warp on paper, the city balances roots in the Imperial culture of ancient Japan with a reputation as a hub of industry. Nintendo and Kyocera both have headquarters here, in addition to many other multinationals.

Kyoto is also a capital of the entertainment industry in Japan and serves as a backdrop and production center of some of the most famous films and television programs to ever come out of the country. The city even has a period film set museum for fans of the jidaigeki genre, where occasional productions still take place.

Traditional Japanese crafts also draw a fair number of visitors to Kyoto. For artisanal objects and kimonos, the city is without peer. Unfortunately, second-rate knock-offs have done inordinate damage to traditional industry in Kyoto, though a minority of people remain eager to pay for authentic quality and workmanship.

In terms of why the vast majority of tourists visit Kyoto, the city contains over one-fifth of Japan’s national treasures. That figure alone, inconceivable as it may seem with so many fine destinations in the country, from Fukuoka to Nagoya, Yokohama to Osaka, cannot begin to transcribe the beauty of Kyoto. If your travels ever take you to Tokyo, the 140 minute Shinkansen bullet train ride is well worth the effort and expense.

It starts with phenomenal gems like the Kinkaku-ji, or Deer Garden Temple, or most notably, the Golden Pavillion. The most famous and recognizable temple in Kyoto, built in the very late 14th century as the retirement villa of a powerful Shogun, is a priceless landmark. This of course, has very little to do with the gold leaf relief work on the magnificent temple. The architectural layout of the temple, a seamless blend with the proximate and idyllic natural environment, is spectacular.

A vital stop on a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage route that takes places throughout Japan, the Kiyomizu-dera is another national treasure in Kyoto. The temple dates back to the nascent period of the city’s formation over twelve-hundred years ago. Visitors who congregate to the temple believe that the landscape that protects the site is flush with spirituality and therapeutic powers.

Nijo Castle is another fantastic attraction in Kyoto with much inherent history and heritage. The massive complex dates back to the early 17th century and contains fortifications, palaces and delicate gardens. A tour of the facility is a veritable education in the impressive scale of wealth of the Imperial shogunate, a side of Japan many visitors never witness.

Aside from a consistent stream of UNESCO sites, Kyoto is a wonderful museum city. The International Manga Museum is probably the definitive institution dedicated to the now-global cultural phenomenon. The National Museum of Modern Art, or MOMAK, has one of the best collections of 20th century art in Asia.

For fabulous Asian and Japanese art that pre-dates the modern era, Kyoto National Museum is a must. Last but not least, the city’s Botanical Gardens is world-class and should not, under any circumstance, be missed.

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