If you decide to spend a decent amount of time in Kyoto - and it's definitely worth it - I recommend you hire a bike, or buy one second-hand (usually a few shops near the university and they are very cheap). Kyoto is generally very flat and laid out in a grid structure so it’s dead easy to get around and you won't need to use the subway. Everybody cycles on the pavement as well so no need to worry about traffic. If you're there during the Japanese holiday season the main attractions are busy during the day - especially the Gion area. Best to go early in the morning - and it’s worth visiting Sanjusangen-do, Ryoan-ji, Daisen-in etc, even if they are busy (though I wouldn't bother with Heian Jingu)

Other recomendations include the area surrounding and including Ginkaku-ji and Honen-in (which is free) You can always walk back to the city via the Philosophers path.

I could go on for ages but a couple of other places I loved whilst there include Ippodo, a tea shop on the Teramachi dori, where they will explain in great detail how to drink your tea and for something less traditional there is Cafe Independants, in the covered Teramachi arcade, which is a bit more western and atracts a younger crowd. There is also a brilliant CD shop tucked away in the corner selling all sorts of Japanese avant-garde CDs(with some jazz thrown in) - if you're into that sort of thing.

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So Kyoto is all about historical Japan right? Wrong!
Most visitors to Kyoto arrive at the futuristic train station opened in 1997, and it’s virtually a sightseeing stop in its own right. Its myriad of floors contain department stores, food halls, underground shopping, and a great observation deck at the top, perfect for getting the bearings of the city.

Served by all trains of Japan Railways, including shinkansen, Kintetsu Railways and the subway.

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Stick to the main drag and avoid the "English" bars.

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Kyoto is famous for its temples and especially the gardens within them, typified by austere expanses of raked white gravel and ancient maple trees.

However, busloads of tourists know this too. Visiting some of the popular temples (for example, Kinkaku-ji and Kyomizu-dera) can be like going to a football match. If you want to get away from the crowds for some more zen-like calm, pick up one of the many small books of Kyoto's courtyard and zen gardens (in bookshops for around 1200 yen). These are a fabulous guide (usually with maps and directions) to the less-frequented temple gardens often not in the guidebooks - and cheaper to visit than the big temples too. Favourites include Ryogen-in, Tofuki-ji and Chishaku-in.

If Japan to you means Akihabara electronics and Shibuya neon at night, then this probably won't do it for you. Otherwise, highly recommended.

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