Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [244]
Another excellent source of information about Kyoto and the rest of the Kansai area is Kansai Time Out, a monthly English-language listings magazine. Apart from lively articles, it has a large section of ads for employment, travel agencies, meetings etc. It’s available at the bookshops listed in this section (left) and at the TIC Click here.
Medical Services
Kyoto University Hospital (Map; 751-3111; 54 Shōgoinkawara-chō, Sakyō-ku; reception 8.30-11am, medical examination starts at 9am) Best hospital in Kyoto. There is an information counter near the entrance that can point you in the right direction.
Money
Most of the major banks are near the Shijō-Karasuma intersection, two stops north of Kyoto Station on the Karasuma line subway.
International transactions (like wire transfers) can be made at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (Map; 221-7161; 9am-3pm Mon-Fri, ATM 7am-11pm Mon-Fri, to 9pm Sat, Sun & holidays), which is at the southeast corner of this intersection. There is another branch one block southwest of the intersection. Other international transactions can be made at Citibank (Map; 212-5387; office 9am-3pm Mon-Fri, ATM 24hr), just west of this intersection. Finally, you can change travellers cheques at most post offices around town, including the Kyoto Central Post Office next to Kyoto Station.
INTERNATIONAL ATMS
Post offices have ATMs that accept most foreign-issued cards. If your card doesn’t work at postal ATMs, try the ATMs in 7-Eleven convenience stores. Failing that, try the following:
Citibank (Map; 212-5387; office 9am-3pm Mon-Fri, ATM 24hr) Has a 24-hour ATM that accepts most foreign-issued cards.
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KYOTO UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
In 1994 13 of Kyoto’s Buddhist temples, three Shintō shrines and one castle met the criteria to be designated World Heritage Sites by the UN. Each of the 17 sites has buildings or gardens of immeasurable historical value and all are open for public viewing.
Castle
Nijō-jō Click here
Shrines
Kamigamo-jinja Click here
Shimogamo-jinja Click here
Ujigami-jinja in Uji
Temples
Byōdō-in Click here
Daigo-ji Click here
Enryaku-ji Click here
Ginkaku-ji Click here
Kinkaku-ji Click here
Kiyomizu-dera Click here
Kōzan-ji Click here
Ninna-ji Click here
Nishi Hongan-ji (opposite)
Ryōan-ji Click here
Saihō-ji Click here
Tenryū-ji Click here
Tō-ji Click here
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Post
Kyoto Central Post Office (Map; 365-2471; 843-12 Higashishiokōji-chō, Shimogyō-ku; 9am-9pm Mon-Fri, to 7pm Sat, Sun & holidays, ATMs 12.05am-11.55pm Mon-Sat, to 8pm Sun) Conveniently located next to Kyoto Station (take the Karasuma exit, as the post office is on the northwestern side of the station). There’s an after-hours service counter on the southern side of the post office, which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Also, the ATMs here are open almost 24 hours a day.
Tourist Information
Note that the following two information centres (along with the Welcome Inn Reservation counter, and the Prefectural International Centre) will move to the Suvaco shopping complex in spring 2010. Suvaco is on the 2nd floor of Kyoto Station, in the main concourse between the north side of the station and the shinkansen gates. It is just to the left (south) of the main entrance of Isetan department store.
Kyoto City Tourist Information (Map;343-6655; 8.30am-7pm) Inside the new Kyoto Station building, on the 2nd floor just across from Café du Monde. Though it’s geared towards Japanese visitors, an English-speaking staff member is usually on hand and it’s easier to find than the following.
Kyoto Tourist Information Center (TIC; Map; 344-3300; 10am-6pm, closed 2nd & 4th Tue of each month & new-year holidays) The best source of information on Kyoto, this is located on the 9th floor of