Kyoto City is the biggest city in Kyoto Prefecture. Here is the list of eleven wards of Kyoto City described in possibly the most concise word/idea that represents each ward (by a Kyoto native). The list goes from North to South.
1. Kita Ward (北区)
“Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺)”
Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavilion, in Kita Ward is possibly the most famous place of all 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto. Kitaoji Station at the shopping mall AEON MALL Kitaoji in Kita Ward is the second most popular station in Kyoto.
2. Kamigyo Ward (上京区)
“Nishijin (西陣)”
Nishijin is a district between Kamigyo Ward and Kita Ward. It is where traditional Nishijin-ori (西陣織) textile is from. What local Kyoto people think of as Kyoto is Kamigyo Ward is all about.
3. Sakyo Ward (左京区)
“Anarchy”
Not in a criminal way. Thanks to the presence of Kyoto University (Harvard University of Japan except for the tuition), Sakyo Ward is where an intelligently avant-garde vibe is well accepted. If Sakyo Ward was a person, it would be, say, Dennis Rodman with Sheldon Cooper’s attitude (but not so gay).
4. Ukyo Ward (右京区)
“Bamboo”
Ukyo Ward is where the must-see Arashiyama (嵐山) is located. You will see Bamboo Forest (竹林の小径) before noticing it is it. Toei Kyoto Studio Park /Toei Uzumasa Eigamura (太秦映画村) is also in Ukyo Ward.
5. Nishikyo Ward (西京区)
“Commute”
Because Nishikyo Ward is known as a commuter town. Rakusai New Town (洛西ニュータウン) is almost a landmark. Nishikyo Ward is also, kind of bamboo.
6. Nakagyo Ward (中京区)
“Posh”
Nakagyo Ward is where Kyoto City Hall is located. It’s almost downtown. Kyoto’s landmark ShinPuhKan (新風館) is also here.
7. Shimogyo Ward (下京区)
“Downtown”
New York, Los Angeles, and perhaps Boston of Kyoto is Shijo Kawaramachi (四条河原町) in Shimogyo Ward. FYI: Boston is a sister city of Kyoto City.
8. Higashiyama Ward (東山区)
“Kyoto”
What people in the world think of as Kyoto is all in Higashiyama Ward. Gion (祇園) and Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) are also here.
Find more about Higashiyama Ward
9. Yamashina Ward (山科区)
“MUJI”
MUJI is Japan’s most famous home decor brand. MUJI Kyoto Yamashina in Yamashina Ward is the largest store in entire Kyoto. It’s worth trying.
Find more about Yamashina Ward
10. Minami Ward (南区)
“Station”
Kyoto Station is here.
11. Fushimi Ward (伏見区)
“Sake”
Fushimi Ward is the mecca for sake lovers. It’s the birthplace of a number of national brands (Kizakura / 黄桜, Gekkeikan / 月桂冠, and more). North to Chushojima Station (中書島) of Keihan Electric Railway is the perfect destination for barhopping.
On a random street in Fushimi Ward.
FYI: Ward means 区 (ku) in Japanese, i.e., “Kita-ku (Kita Ward / 北 区).”
