Kyoto is one of the oldest cities in Japan and was its capital for more than 1,000 years between 794 and 1868.

It was a place where both secular and spiritual power was concentrated, which is why you will find a huge concentration of monuments here. For example, there are up to 1,000 Buddhist buildings in Kyoto, over 200 Shinto buildings, several palaces and an important castle.

There are 17 buildings on the UNESCO list.

Kyoto's hilly surroundings are also a magnet for outdoor excursions. To see all the sights in and around Kyoto, you would need to spend at least 5 full days.

View the 10 best hotels in Kyoto

However, most tourists only head to Kyoto for 1 or 2 days, so it's a good idea to plan in advance what you actually want to see in Kyoto.

Today's Kyoto has a population of around 1.5 million and is part of Japan's second largest conurbation, along with the cities of Osaka and Kobe.