About Kyoto (京都)

This city might be the most famous city in Japan except Tokyo　for the western world.

As the famous Japanese-like city now, its traditional look is very charming. On the reaserch of 2005, there were more than 47 millions people visited there. Of course most of them are local Japanese; the number of foreigner visitors is about 730 thousand, and Americans hold the first place by a share of 31%.

Being an old capital of Japan, there are uncountable historical site in Kyoto. For example, temple of the golden pavilion, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kiyomistu-Temple, temple of the silver pavilion, etc. Most of them are very impressive and worth a look.

Me, as a forienger who living in Japan now, of course Ive been to there for lots of times. I went there for at least six times for visiting. Every time I felt different parts of the amazing city. Doesnt like Tokyo, its a very quiet city on lots aspects. You see almost no one and car in street, if you like, you can go out and take a walk to enjoy the cool night wind of Kyoto without any worry. Its also a quite safe and friendly city for foriegn-visitor with all the sign in multi-languages.

Alright, I dont think I need to say anymore, because the beauty and quiet feelings only could be known if you go there on your own. But also want to give some good info for abyone wants to visit Kyoto.

Traffic - thought trains and subways always the best policy to move in Japan, I suggest you to buy a one-day bus pass if you want to see the city deeply. It looks like this, and you can buy it and know more about the bus system please look the page, its made from the city so would be very helpful. The pass gonna costs you 500 yen, but if you need to move by bus for over three times then you better buy a pass. That gonna save you some money. Anyone can easily buy a ticket at a service center right by JR-Kyoto station. Please ask the staff in station, they would be love to point you the way. You can also ask for a bus-line map in English for free, dont forget it!

Stay - I will suggest you to stay in Osaka city. Because Kyoto is a visiting city, everything is so expensive including the hotel. YH-Shin Osaka would be my best choice. Its very clean and brand new. The most amazing thing is you onlt need to pay 3300 yen and you can stay yourself in a downtown hotel! Its most impossible in Japan.
But if you are worry about the moving time from Osaka city to Kyoto, you just need to walk to JR-Shin Osaka station and jump on a rapid train to Kyoto, then you will get into Kyoto in 30 mins. Not bad right?

You can check the links below, will give you some idea about planning a tour in Kyoto:
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/
http://raku.city.kyoto.jp/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto