What’s New - Kyoto - page 18

What's New
New Kyoto Tourist Information Center
The new Kyoto Tourist Information Center, very near both the shinkansen (bullet train) and
regular train platforms, sure beats the old TIC, which was hidden up on the 9th floor of the
station building ( CLICK HERE ).
New Downtown Tourist Information Center
There is also a new tourist information centre right in Downtown Kyoto ( CLICK HERE ).
Kyoto Night Cruise Bus Tour
Tour the ancient capital by bus and watch the sights light up as you pass. This is a great op-
tion for those who don't enjoy bar hopping ( CLICK HERE ).
Kyoto-Navi System
Kyoto City has just introduced a new online English-language transport and timetable
search system that makes finding transport routes and departure times a snap ( CLICK HERE ).
Machiya Boom
Kyoto's traditional townhouses, known as machiya, are being given a new lease of life as
restaurants, shops, bars and even accommodation for travellers.
Expanded No-Smoking Areas
Kyoto has banned outdoor smoking Downtown, around Kyoto Station and in the Kiyom-
izu/Sannen-zaka/Ninen-zaka sightseeing areas. Enforcement is still spotty.
Giant New Shopping Outlets
Kyoto has been undergoing a retail renaissance in the past few years. New offerings in-
clude Yodobashi Camera (cameras, electronics and just about everything else; CLICK HERE )
and Kyoto Marui (a fashion-oriented department store; CLICK HERE ).