Exploring Kyoto: On Foot in the Ancient Capital Paperback – April 1, 2008

Got this book from the library before our last trip to Kyoto and it was wonderful. My Japanese wife wasn't too interested in exploring temples, so I only had one afternoon on my own. I photocopied about 10 pages covering what looked like the most interesting itinerary and took them along.After accompanying the Mrs to some shops near Kyomizu, which was about as jammed as Disneyland on a summer day, I struck out on my own.The bus directions were impeccable and I got to the starting point with no problems. I spent the next four hours strolling from amazing temple to amazing temple and got through about half the itinerary. During that time I probably saw 25 people and maybe three of them were tourists. Quite a contrast to the big-name temples that are on everyone's must-see list.We're heading back this fall and I see the library doesn't have the book anymore. So I've ordered my own copy and am already looking forward to a few more walks that will make for lifelong memories.

This is a carefully written book but, if you know nothing about Kyoto, the title might give you the false impression that it is a city that you can easily navigate on foot, which you cannot. It is a large city with good public transport but english is not as common as in Tokyo (naturally) and navigating the buses and trains that are required to reach the many destinations listed, can be very hard for a non-japanese speaker.The text is densely written, very detailed but I found it to be a little impenetrable. More of a book for the return visitor wanting to really 'dig-in' to the city and explore every nook and cranny and not (like me) for someone coming for the first time and wanting a guide to a few places reachable on foot with a minimum of fuss. I also found the maps a little difficult to use, as the larger area maps do not easily 'map' to the more detailed ones.

I used this book quite a lot on a recent trip to Kyoto - I found the in-depth descriptions of the historical and cultural relevance of the sites to be extremely interesting and added a lot to my trip. I found the maps more helpful than those in my other guidebooks once I was in the neighborhood of interest - but there are a lot of streets not named in the book, and a lot of instructions along the lines of "go two blocks north, then left at the little store, then west until you see the sign in Japanese". Those are not very useful if you don't read Japanese, and I often found myself using my other guidebooks to get me to the general locale, and then used this book to help me orient myself within the neighborhood. The other thing is that every trip within the book reads as though it is equally interesting and beautiful, whereas there were clear indications in my other guidebooks that certain temples/shrines were only worth seeing if you were in the area. There is way too much to see in Kyoto even if you're there for a week or more, so a little more discerning eye towards what to prioritize would have been nice. Overall though, a really great book to explore Kyoto on foot.

There is no other guide book that will take you to several off the beaten path places along with the major attractions. In all fairness, if you want a Fodor-type book to guide you around the big ten attractions, and nothing else, especially no wlaking around, then by all means look elsewhere. If you've visited Kyoto before, then some of the chapters in this book will take you up a notch.I never had difficulty making out where to go but sometimes you'll need to ask, as always.

In mid-Sept 2012, I trudged through Kyoto trying to use this book. The maps appear in isolation with no guidance providing a way to get to the site. Should you finally slog your way to the vicinity some how, you may find that you're too tired to enjoy the site. The Higashiyama chapter was not helpful; I will try again tomorrow to find the charming areas now that I have scouted the route from the subway and seen the not-so-charming areas. The Omuro section leads you to believe that the distance between the Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, and the Omura Palace is within reach of a normal middle-aged person from the US. It may be if you are used to walking for a couple of miles up-hill in high humidity and intense heat. Once you get to the sites, there is more walking. I found the Kinkakuji terribly busy with no place to sit once you hand in your ticket. And the restaurants along the walk are not charming. I travel several times a year for pleasure and business. I often rely upon guide books. I have never disliked a guide book as much as this one.

This book is a great guide if you are visiting Kyoto the details and maps help a lot great buy