APSR 2021 will take place in the World Heritage Site of Japan’s Ancient Capital “Kyoto”.
Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a thousand years, and is still considered the heart and soul of traditional Japan.
Those who visit Kyoto can expect to see magical sights of bamboo forests, ornate shrines and temples, impeccably dressed geishas, theatre performances, rambunctious monkeys, and amazing fall foliage. Travelers can learn all about art, tea, Zen Buddhism, and many other pillars of Japanese culture, all within the borders of this easily-accessible city. Kyoto’s location also makes it ideal for day trips to the ancient capital Nara, the bustling city of Osaka, as well as Kobe and several other destinations.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: About 20% of Japan's National Treasures and 14% of Important Cultural Properties exist in the city of Kyoto. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) includes 17 locations in Kyoto, Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, and Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture. This area was designated as a World Heritage site in 1994.
Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, but the fall foliage in Kyoto is perhaps even more beautiful. While the cherry blossoms at their peak are almost excessively lovely, even tawdry in their obvious appeal, the fall foliage is a more restrained beauty that gradually grows on you. And, while catching the cherries in peak blossom takes incredible luck (because they only peak for a few days a year), the fall foliage lasts up to two months starting from mid- October.
There are so many must-see attractions and activities in Kyoto: Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, Japanese gardens, a night in a ryokan, Japan’s exquisite traditional accommodation, a meal in a Japanese restaurant, an evening stroll through the Gion entertainment district, and some great old Kyoto shops. On the other hand, if you would like, you can join Kyoto's throngs, wind your way through the crowded Nishiki Market or flip through comics at the Kyoto International Manga Museum. However you choose to spend your day, your experience will be unique to Kyoto.
There are many places where one can enjoy authentic Japanese cultural experiences in Kyoto, such as a dressing up in a Kimono with the assistance of professional kimono dressers, rediscover Japanese elegance with traditional tea ceremony or flower arrangement, renew your mind with a Zen meditation, enjoy Japanese Sake tasting, or dinner with Maiko and more. Please enjoy experiencing the traditional culture of Japan in many traditional temples and sites which can be found only in Kyoto. For further information:
https://kyoto.travel/en/planyourvisit/experiencetour
https://kyoto.travel/en/planyourvisit/
experiencetour
As Japan's former capital and seat of the imperial court for over a thousand years, Kyoto offers a rich culinary tradition. The local food culture is diverse and ranges from aristocratic “kaiseki ryori” course dinners, to the vegetarian “shojin ryori” of monks and the simple “obanzai” home style cooking. Regular Japanese food that is not necessarily associated with Kyoto in particular, such as ramen, sushi and udon, is also available across the city.
In Kyoto, you can stay in everything from economically-priced guesthouses to five-star international hotels. Kyoto is packed with ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), making it a great place to sample this wonderful unique Japanese experience.
