The Monocle Travel Guide Series – Kyoto

Kyoto may be full of hushed streets steeped in tradition and hidden institutions run by kimono-clad custodians but don’t be fooled: there’s more to this captivating city than timeworn teahouses and graceful geiko. Japan’s former capital has its own distinct identity, dialect and dishes, and beyond the Buddhist temples and Zen gardens you’ll find a dynamic city that’s constantly evolving.

We’ll introduce you to the innovative chefs making waves in the kitchen and the workshops that have been crafting cooking knives for generations. We’ll give you a rundown of the forward-thinking fashion retailers and reveal our favourite modernist architecture and mid- century monuments. Plus we’ll take you to the backstreets where bartenders mix punchy cocktails, and old-fashioned kissaten fend off young baristas with aplomb.

We’ve also included the stories of local gardeners, ryokan operators and architects, who invite you through the hanging noren of this most enigmatic of cities. Slip off your shoes and step right in.

About The Monocle Travel Guide Series:
Monocle reports from around the globe in print, on radio, and online. As its editors and correspondents dart from city to city, they get to know the best places to rest their heads, stretch their limbs, and kick back with a contact in a hard-to-find cocktail bar. That information is now available in Monocle’s Travel Guide Series: a line-up of titles that speaks to you in an informed but informal way about everything from architecture to art, late-night bars to early-morning markets.

These are books that go beyond the traditional tourist beats to make sure you get the best out of a city—no matter how short your stay. Designed to be compact and collectable, they are also discerning; Monocle’s team won’t list a hundred places to eat but they will tell you where’s best for everything from some tasty fast food to something truly celebratory.

Cities are fun. Let’s explore.