My name is Robert and I'm happy you're here! Japan Starts Here is information—and inspiration—for all your trips to Japan. Kyoto (or Heian-kyo, as it was originally known) was established as imperial capital by Emperor Kammu in 794, inaugurating the Heian Period (794-1159) of Japanese history. We do Japan! It is one of my favorite places to have a relaxing hiking, while feeling fresh air and enjoying idyllic scenery. Kinkaku-ji Temple – This golden pavilion at the centre of a lake is one of Kyoto’s most famous sights. In the 20th century, Tokyo suffered two major catastrophes: the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which killed 140,000, and World War II, which saw the city’s population dwindle from 6.7 million to just 2.8 million. What is the difference between Tokyo and Kyoto? TOKYO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The Japanese government has started preparations to expand a state of emergency to the western Japanese prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and … Schedule a phone call from Kyoto, Japan to Tokyo, Japan. You do the tickets. Senso-ji Temple – Located at the heart of Asakusa, Tokyo’s most traditional district, the bright red Senso-ji is the city’s oldest temple. Visit our sister brand Inside Asia Tours site and blog. Tokyo, the current capital, is written as 東京, which means Kyo of the east or eastern capital. A visit to the comparatively small, and therefore manageable-in-an-hour, Ota Memorial Museum of Art in the Shibuya ward, is an essential prelude. Tokyo is 東京 in Kanji, … This is because rail transport in Tokyo consists not only of the Tokyo Metro, but also of the Toei Subway, public Japan Railways line (which you can ride using your JR Pass, including the Narita Express) and a variety of private trains systems as well. Is it worth going to both Tokyo and Kyoto/Nara or is it better to just stick to one or the other? kyoto unknown. Tokyo began life as a small fishing village called Edo (meaning “estuary”). Go now, as it’s due to move to a new location soon – and will stop accepting visitors! Neon-bathed streets and Michelin-starred eats, Travel back in time to Japan's ancient capital, A world of Japanese street food starts here, Climb Japan's iconic peak, or just admire its beauty, Enjoy Japan’s seasons in the “Kyoto of the North”, Year-round adventure in Japan’s great, white north, Flowery castles, volcanic lakes and snow monsters, Discover Japan’s most underrated, unexplored island, Trek the trails of Japan’s ultimate hiking paradise, Tropical paradise a short flight from Tokyo. Studio Ghibli Museum – For fans of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated masterpieces, the Studio Ghibli Museum in the Tokyo suburbs is a must-visit. Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka by Shinkansen bullet train. So 京 (Kyo) became same meaning as capital, later on. The names of Japan's former and current capitals, Kyoto and Tokyo, appear to us to be made up of the same two elements reversed, but in fact they have only one element in common. Shinjuku is the entertainment and business hub, packed with skyscrapers; Akihabara “electric town” is the home of flashing neon, Maid Cafes and otaku counterculture; Asakusa is the city’s traditional district, home to Senso-ji Temple and souvenir shops; while Harajuku is the mecca for Japan’s outrageously-attired youths and atmospheric Meiji Shrine. For example, if you arrive in Japan from Tokyo, it would be better for you to depart from Osaka. Another option would be to visit Osaka on a day trip, though I think this city deserves its own itinerary—I even wrote a post comparing Osaka vs. Tokyo directly! Tokyo station: Buy a Bento lunch box. So just decide whether or not you desire your very first glimpse of… Gion – Gion is Kyoto’s traditional teahouse district, home to the city’s elusive geisha population. What’s to see in Kyoto? Golden Gai – hidden in the middle of Shinjuku, Golden Gai is a totally unexpected slice of old Edo slap-bang in the skyscraper district. The city was based on the grid-style capital of Chang’an (now Xi’an) in China, and remained the political as well as the cultural heart of the country until power shifted to Kamakura in 1185. 1. a city in central Japan on southern Honshu; a famous cultural center that was once the capital of Japan Familiarity information: KYOTO used as a noun is very rare. So just determine whether or not you would like your initially glimpse… Hakone – Japan’s most popular hot spring resort, located in the shadow of Mount Fuji. So instead of Tokyo-to being an abbreviation of East Kyoto, you can see it is just a coincidence that the full name of Tokyo is similar to Kyoto. It means Imperial capital. Kyoto has the highest concentration of university students of any prefecture. I won’t go there, but will rather concede that choosing between Tokyo or Kyoto is something of a wash. The first character of Tôkyôto (東) means East. In that is the case, this blog post is your whistle-stop tour of Japan’s two greatest cities and their multitude of attractions. Whether you're seeking information or inspiration, all your trips to Japan start here. If you are interested traditional and cultural Japan, Kyoto is much better than Tokyo/Osaka, and so on. It’s not just what’s in the city that counts – it’s also the side trips you can make as part of your stay. Recommendations. Tokyo (東京; 東 - east, 京 - capital) means "the eastern capital". 2 with 4.72 students among every 100 people. The Kyoto area is furthermore served by the private Keihan Main Lane, as well as JR Lines that connect Kyoto Station to Arashiyama and Inari, where you find Fushimi Inari Shrine. The only difference is the 東, which stands for “east.”. Some Top Attractions in Tokyo: Tokyo Skytree: Situated in the North of the city close to Asakusa, this famous landmark is the tallest structure in Japan. Fuji appears 40 mins after the departure of Tokyo. For instance, younger people tend to enjoy shopping or partying in Tokyo/Osaka over Kyoto. As far as where to stay in Tokyo, I also think that a convenient, comfortable and chic choice is best, whether on the lower end of the price spectrum with Hotel Felice Akasaka or the slightly more upmarket Ginza location of Hotel the Celestine. Well actually, th, Last week, Insider Richard visited Engyo-ji, one o, It’s winter in Japan - and what better time to g, InsideJapan Tours, an award winning travel brand specializing in group tours, tailormade travel and cultural experiences across Japan, Tokaido Trail - the original InsideJapan group tour. These green spaces are often buzzing with live music and laughter, but especially so than during cherry blossom season – when locals flock for beer-fuelled picnics beneath the pink sakura petals that dance on the breeze. Be sure to wander the surrounding market stalls and grab a bite to eat from a roadside stand! The best places to visit in Kyoto for a great view of the city, meanwhile, include Kiyomizu-dera (this is especially true at sunset), where you can get a great sense for the hypnotizing mix of ancient and modern structures that defines today’s Kyoto. What if you don’t have time to do both? I'm really interested in the traditional Japanese culture but also what makes modern Japanese culture/towns/city scapes unique. This reputation is the legacy of more than a millennium as Japan’s imperial capital, which, as you might expect, left the city with an incredible repository of cultural and historical treasures. Together, they offer real insight into local customs and culture, so don’t just pick one: do both. If you can deal with seeing the verdant greens of summer (or, more rarely, the fresh snows of winter) instead of white-and-pink blossoms or flaming leaves, there’s an advantage to visiting Kyoto during Japan’s tsuyu summer monsoon or its cold winter. Need help planning your trip to Japan? Ryokan Uemura, located in the heart of Higashiyama, is owned by a woman whose husband’s family lived there for six generations. Except both of those characterizations are over-simplistic, and inaccurate: Tokyo’s got both history and tranquility in plentiful supply; Kyoto is small neither in population nor expanse. August 11, 2013 at 4:46 pm. Basically, this is because Emperor lives there. Although both have served as Japan’s capital (Kyoto in the past, Tokyo now), today’s Tokyo is a glittering, sprawling megacity, while Kyoto exudes a more provincial charm, defined not be skyscrapers and subway lines, but ancient temples and bamboo forests. As I found out last winter. Tokyo is a 365-day per year destination, if only because so much of what to do there is indoors—the weather or time of day doesn’t really matter. Ryoan-ji Temple – Japan’s most famous Zen rock garden – Ryoan-ji is most definitely not more beautiful in the snow. He also runs the popular website Leave Your Daily Hell. In 2017, among every 100 Kyoto residents, 5.35 were tertiary students according to education ministry data shown on the Stats Japan website. In this article, I would like to introduce mainly Asuka. Read Privacy Policy or view sitemap. Kyoto Protocol, international treaty, named for the Japanese city in which it was adopted in December 1997, designed to reduce the emission of gases that contribute to global warming. Japan’s current capital does surprisingly well in the Tokyo vs Kyoto competition for nature, buoyed largely by huge urban parks like Koishikawa Koraku-en, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Yoyogi Park. Whether you decide to visit one or both of these top destinations, consider commissioning a custom Japan itinerary, and let me sweat the details! Meaning of Kyoto. Japan’s current capital does surprisingly well in the Tokyo vs Kyoto competition for nature, buoyed largely by huge urban parks like, Historical Attractions in Kyoto and Tokyo, consider commissioning a custom Japan itinerary, The Ultimate Guide to Cherry Blossoms in Japan. Nimish says. Think of Tokyo and you’ll probably imagine a Bladerunner-esque landscape of soaring skyscrapers, neon lights and overhead flyovers – and there are certain times (when soaring across Tokyo Bay on the monorail to Odaiba Island, or when standing in the midst of the clamour of Akihabara, for example) when Tokyo seems to live up to its futuristic reputation. Definition of Kyoto in the Definitions.net dictionary. With a population of roughly 15 million (compared to Tokyo's ~50) Kyoto has a rich history, including being the old capitol of Japan. It is best for you to come from either Tokyo or Osaka and exit Japan from the other one. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to be in the heart of the action as Japan plays host to the world's most spectacular sporting event. Fuji (though you’ll need to stay overnight if you climb) and to the Edo-era city of Kawagoe in Saitama prefecture. Nijo Castle – Quite unlike an ordinary Japanese samurai castle, Nijo is famous for its “nightingale floors”, which squeak to warn the inhabitant of intruders. While these two cities are more similar than you’d probably believe, they are unique enough that you can’t substitute visiting one for the other. https://bit.ly/3pPvE3zJoin our online Community! Which one would you recommend. I'm looking to spend a couple of days in Tokyo (probably includes one day round trip to Mt Fuji area) and also looking to travel to/from Kyoto (spending a couple of days there). Not only are the meanings different, the pronunciations are too: notice that the first mora of Tokyo has a long vowel, but the second syllable of Kyoto has a short vowel. Whether you should stay in Kyoto longer than a few days really depends on who you are and what you would like to see or do in Kyoto/Japan. There is a great variety of unique lunch boxes sold here and you can enjoy them during Shinkansen ride! The following places were once the capitals of Japan before Tokyo: Asuka, Nara and Kyoto. Contrary to popular belief, the coolest city in Japan. While most travelers visit scenic Nikko and its ancient Tosho-gu shrine or Kamakura (which, like Kyoto, was also once the capital of Japan), other Tokyo day trips are possible, including to the base of Mt. Full of mystries & questions. Takao, a great hiking excursion from Tokyo for the day, while Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki prefecture is a lush and flower-filled escape, especially in the spring and autumn. Himeji – Just a short hop on the Shinkansen line is Himeji, home to Japan’s largest and most impressive original castle – recently reopened after a five-year facelift! For me, Kyoto really takes the biscuit in terms of nearby attractions, but many of my colleagues would insist that Tokyo wins! This line is the most heavily travelled high-speed rail route in the world, with has a length of 515 km (320 miles), and offers the fastest and smoothest way for travelling between Tokyo station, and Shin-Osaka or Kyoto stations. As you’ve probably heard, Tokyo transportation is in another league when it comes to efficiency. • TOKYO (noun) The noun TOKYO has 1 sense:. They’re polar opposites, In fact: Tokyo is a land of neon and skyscrapers, the archetypal metropolis; Kyoto is filled with kimono-clad geisha, temples and tea ceremonies. Find inspiration for your Japan holiday plans by exploring our latest brochure. Information and translations of Kyoto in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. I warn you, though, it won’t make the decision any easier! Walking through the streets in Kyoto is like Walking through eleven centuries of Japan. I also enjoy the view from Okochi Sanso Villa, a private former residence just behind Sagano Bamboo Grove, while I find the view from Kyoto Tower to be less that impressive—it’s just too high. Some of them are dedicated to Buddhism, while others are Shinto shrines (Japan’s ancient religion that believes that everything has a spirit and should be respected). Full of mystries & questions. Here are just a few of Kyoto’s highlights: Fushimi Inari Shrine – my own personal favourite, Fushimi Inari’s tunnels of red torii gates have been immortalised in countless travellers’ photographs and are even more impressive in the flesh. So just decide whether you want your first glimpse of Japan to be cutting-edge modernity or high-brow tradition, and your choice is made. The answer is simple: you should visit both. Welcome to the page with the answer to the clue Like Tokyo and Kyoto. To the west of the city is Mt. No matter how many days in Tokyo you spend or which things to do in Kyoto appeal most to you, you’ll discover that these cities are more similar than you’d initially think. Going off the Kanji (which is used most of the time the cities' names are printed), Kyoto means "Capital City" (it used to be the capital of Japan until the capital was moved to Edo). Edo, located about 500km to the east of Kyoto, was renamed to "Tokyo", which means "East Capital" (using the same character for the "Kyo" sound as Kyoto does). But it wasn’t always like this. Temples, temples, temples. Hamarikyu Gardens – Sipping green tea at the teahouse in the serene centre of Hamarikyu Gardens, quite literally an oasis at the heart of the metropolis, is a definite must. The name for Kyoto translates to “imperial capital” and Tokyo “east imperial capital.”. Osaka – Big, brash, bold Osaka is one of Japan’s most exciting cities, and is known for its colourful Nanba district and delicious street food. But what if it doesn’t tie in with your holidays plans? The Prince hotel is right next to Tokyo Tower and has one of my favorite restaurants in the world: Yakiniku Champion. The idea that one is the reverse of the other is only plausible if your language doesn't distinguish vowel length. Planning a trip to Japan, or just dreaming of one? The way the city grew over the years to absorb neighbouring towns means that there is no one “city centre”, but a number of different centres, each with its own character and attractions. A great place to stay in a traditional ryokan inn. Meaning of Tokyo. So just choose no matter whether you wish your initially glimpse of… Kyoto, by contrast, reveals the calmer side of Japanese life. Chinese has another word for "capital," pronounced dū, whose Middle Chinese ancestor was borrowed into Japanese as to, "capital, large city." Definition of Tokyo in the AudioEnglish.org Dictionary. When in Rome… or in this case Tokyo and Kyoto. Kyōto thus means "capital city." Universal Studios Japan is also located here. Nikko – Perhaps the best side-trip from Tokyo is Nikko, a national park that’s home to a shrine and temple complex built in honour of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The best places to visit in Kyoto for a great view of the city, meanwhile, include Kiyomizu-dera (this is especially true at sunset), where you can get a great sense for the hypnotizing mix of ancient and modern structures that defines today’s Kyoto. Often posited as the yin to Tokyo’s yang, the city of Kyoto is considered by many to be the custodian of Japan’s traditional culture – with a beautiful temple, shrine or garden seemingly hidden behind every corner and sliding door. However, in Too-kyoo the "too" means east, and in Kyoo-to the "to" means city. The city of Kyoto, small in comparison to Tokyo with around 1.5 million people, is ranked 17 th in the latest Best Student Cities index along with the nearby cities of Osaka and Kobe, with the combined metropolitan area known as Keihanshin. Patreon:https://bit.ly/3nl9rsITravel to Japan! In both words, the "kyoo" means capital. Explore our latest brochure for Japan trip inspiration. This is found in the name Kyoto, which was Japan's capital from 794 to 1192. If you’re strapped for cash, however, you can take in your surroundings for free from the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Visitors to Japan what if you prefer big cities, countryside, hot springs, food..., younger people tend to enjoy shopping or partying in Tokyo/Osaka over Kyoto truly and. The best of Tokyo for first-time visitors to Japan every week, right down to its pedestrians walking. To be a straightforward selection, appropriate during any walk around the ancient you. 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