While in Kyoto you can visit many historical political and religious sites and eat at delicious Japanese restaurants. Some must-see sights include the Kinkakuji Temple, or the golden temple. This temple is plated in gold and set in the middle of a beautiful lake. At this temple one can walk around its beautiful gardens and take pictures of koi fish in the lake. You can also see the Heian Shrine, created to imitate the imperial palace with one of the largest torii's (Shinto gates) in Japan.

In the Gion district of Japan, one can find the greatest touch of Japan in the middle ages. Here is where the Geisha are the most prominent and where one can find the most evidence of traditional architecture and lifestyle. Here you can find traditional tea houses, vendors, and geiko, or geisha. If one is interested in the artistic entertainment of the geisha, one can visit the Gion district in Kyoto during the month of April to witness traditional geiko dances during cherry blossom season.

Regardless of when you are able to visit Kyoto, or what budget you are on, renting a bicycle and traveling through the streets of Kyoto is the best way to see this town. If you are just visiting Japan, know that your visit will not be complete until you bicycle through Kyoto.

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