Spiritual and so beautiful that it borders on the mystical, Kyoto enchants like few destinations can. This city of about 1.5 million was the capital of imperial Japan for more than a thousand years. That legacy of wealth and regal power is apparent in so many places—including its 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The shrines and temples are colorful, ornate, graceful, and historic; and the green, meticulously designed and tended gardens perfect for a lovely walk. The palaces are suitable for an emperor. No wonder it has a number of nicknames that all nod to its marvels: “the eternal city,” “the city of flowers,” and, perhaps most evocative, “the city of 10,000 shrines.”
