GET THE BEST AND CHEAP HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS IN KYOTO

Kyoto is considered the cultural center of Japan. During World War II when firebombing was conducted throughout the country, Kyoto and its 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, palaces, gardens and architecture were spared, leaving it one of the best preserved cities in Japan. The Kyoto area has some of the most famous temples, shrines, palaces and gardens in Japan, including:

• Kiyomizu-dera, a magnificent wooden temple supported by pillars off the slope of a mountain;
• Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion;
• Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion;
• Heian Jingu, a Shinto shrine celebrating the Imperial family (built in 1895)
• Ryoan-ji, famous for its rock garden
• Shunkoin Temple
• Kyoto Imperial Palace, home of the Emperors of Japan for many centuries;
• Katsura Imperial Villa, one of Japan's finest architectural treasures;
• Shugaku-in Imperial Villa, one of Japan's best Japanese gardens

Other notable sites in and around Kyoto include Arashiyama and its picturesque lake, the Gion and Pontochō geisha quarters, the Philosopher's Walk, and the canals which line some of the older streets.

The "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" are listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. These include the Kamo Shrines (Kami and Shimo), Kyo-O-Gokokuji (Toji), Kiyomizu-dera, Daigoji, Ninnaji, Saihoji (the Moss Temple), Tenryuji, Rokuonji (Kinkaku-ji), Jishoji (Ginkaku-ji), Ryoan-ji, Honganji, Kozan-ji and the Nijo Castle. Other sites outside the city are also on the list.

Kyoto is renowned for its abundance of delicious ethnic foods and cuisine. The history of Kyoto have allowed to retain a variety of vegetables.

Kyoto natives also speak a Japanese dialect called Kyoto-ben, a variation on the Kansai dialect spoken throughout western Japan. One typical example is the word "ookini," meaning "thank you