Kyoto falls from world’s top tourist destination perch

According to latest U.S. magazine Travel + Leisure survey, Kyoto no longer ranks first as the world’s top tourist city

As after the results of the survey Japan’s ancient capital fell to No. 6, while being replaced by Charleston, South Carolina, the reason for the sudden drop in the ranking is considered to be the huge number of both foreign and Japanese tourists visiting the city's popular temples, shrines, gardens and shopping districts.

The traffic gridlock through Kyoto’s narrow streets is also a reason why tourists are beginning to avoid the legendary town. Prices surging during peak visiting periods such as April’s cherry blossom season or late autumn months and some areas lacking tourism infrastructure were also taken into discussion.

Language barrier, lack of multi-lingual info material while visiting the main hot-spots of the city, attractions schedule and entrance fees were thought to be among top reason why Kyoto is no longer considered to be a tourist-friendly town and lost its title as the world's top destination.

Nevertheless, despite latest survey, Kyoto’s popularity grew significantly during the last year. According to a survey of 27 major hotels by the Kyoto Convention Bureau, Kyoto's hotels occupancy rate fluctuated between 89 and 94 per cent during 2015.