Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto has been existed for over a millennium, having been founded in 794. Kyoto thrived as Japan's imperial capital and the nation's political, cultural, and religious center until it was moved to Tokyo in 1869.

Kyoto is the third-largest city of Japan, after Tokyo and Osaka, with a population of around 1.5 million people. Many of the old Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples that were built centuries ago are still standing, and the venerable maiko and geisha culture is still alive and well in Kyoto, delighting both Japanese and international visitors.

Nation: Japan

No. Tourists: 5.8 million annually

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November