Kyoto Center
Central Kyoto refers to the area north of Central Station. Very well served by public transport, it is the contemporary and commercial heart of the city.
Shimogyō-ku, the station district: Kyoto Station JR. This is the district immediately north of the station, in central Kyoto. The interest of this district is twofold. The station is close by, as are the historic city center, the two Shijō subway stations and the north-south Karasuma-dōri and Horikawa-dōri axes, both of which run parallel to each other and allow you to cross Kyoto from one end to the other.
Nakagyō-ku. Located north of Shimogyō-ku, this district is the heart of historic Kyoto. Crossed by Oike-dōri from east to west and Horikawa-dōri from north to south, this district is one of the city's centers. In this sense, it fulfils the original intention of making the castle the nucleus from which the other districts and boroughs will radiate.
Higashiyama north and south
Higashiyama is a lovely cultural hub to visit on a trip to the ancient capital of Japan. Numerous museums and temples can be found here. It's an ideal place for walkers, urban bikers, pottery and other craft stores.
Gion. Who hasn't heard of Gion? The geisha quarter, Gion still has the old-fashioned charm of the old town, with its wooden buildings and craftsmen still at work. Located on the eastern bank of the Kamo-gawa River, a pleasure district part of which is considered a protected site, Gion remains the palace of the geishas and their apprentices, the maiko . It's not uncommon, strolling through the narrow streets of Gion in the late afternoon, to catch a glimpse of a kimono-clad maiko's rice-powdered silhouette slipping down an alleyway under her parasol.
Northern Higashiyama lies at the foot of the mountains, in an area that's easy to get around on foot. The heart of the visit revolves around the Ginkaku-ji, the philosophers' path along a canal and the Nanzen-ji, for a beautiful stroll that can easily occupy an entire day.
North of Kyoto (Kinkaku-ji and Kita-yama)
Northern Kyoto retains a very rural feel, with a small, bucolic train line running between Kitano Hakubaicho and Arashiyama.
Kita-ku. Less touristy than Higashiyama, this is an essentially residential district. However, it is home to two must-see temples during a stay in the city: the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and the Zen garden of Ryōan-ji.
Kamigyō-ku is a very spread-out district. It is home in particular to Nijō Castle, but was also the site of the first imperial palace, burnt down in 1227. To the northeast, the immense Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is home to one of the city's largest flea markets.
Arashiyama and around Kyoto
Arashiyama. Around the Togetsu Bridge, bucolic landscapes unfold along the Ozu River or in the bamboo grove. With its shopping street and meditative temples, Arashiyama is a destination of choice for tourists in search of greenery and discovery. While Arashiyama is the popular term for the entire area, the more rural north, dotted with cherry trees, is called Sagano.
Around Kyoto. The south of Kyoto is now an industrial area. Just a few minutes from the station, you'll find large repair sheds for industrial products, as well as sake distilleries and breweries. Nevertheless, there are a few sites that are very pleasant to visit. These include the indispensable Fushimi-Inari shrine, with its numerous torii all along the mountain, and, for tea lovers, the small town of Uji, the heart of the region's green tea production.
