Hotels in Kyoto,Japan

Kyoto is a very important city in Japan's history, being the former imperial capital. Many of the buildings and palaces in Kyoto are thousands of years old and the city is regarded by many to be the most beautiful in Japan. Kyoto has 17 areas listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, most of them temples and shrines. Kyoto Station is a popular entry point into the city and, as with most of Japan, the rail network provides access to all the city's most important sites. The two most impressive imperial retreats, Imperial Palace and Sentō Imperial Palace, are located in central Kyoto. The gardens are extensive and particularly beautiful in cherry blossom season and in autumn when the colors of the leaves change.Katsura Imperial Villa is located in Western Kyoto and Shugakuin Imperial Villa is located in the north. It is important to note that while admission to all of the palaces is free, reservations must be made beforehand. Kyoto is one of the only places in the world that still practices damascening. Damascening is where one metal is inlayed into another – usually gold or silver into a dark metal background. In Japan, this is known as zouban, and around Kyoto are many stores selling damascene jewelry, vases, and decorative plates. Souvenir seekers will also find a great range of Japanese weapons and kimonos in the Kiyomizudera area of the city. Kyoto's nightlife is concentrated around the Kiyamachi area in central Kyoto. There are hundreds of bars ranging from pubs to exclusive host/hostess bars all throughout the area, as well as restaurants and night clubs.