In a geographical battle for the hearts and minds of Japanese people, Kyoto would win hands down as the wellspring of so much of their culture for which they feel such reverence.
But while Kyoto certainly has its magnificent fistfuls of historical treasures, it also happens to be Japan's seventh-biggest city, and a journey from one of its celebrated sites to another often involves a long bus ride through cityscapes of spectacular drabness.
In contrast, for a city with ancient origins that has managed to preserve more consistently its old character — and also boasts an attractive green setting — the visitor is better off heading to nearby Nara.
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