Photo= The English smartphone application "Arukumachi Kyoto" for foreign tourists

Kyoto City has started Internet distribution of sightseeing information via the application "Arukumachi Kyoto," or getting around Kyoto, in English. It can be used to search bus and railway transfers in the city.

As there is a high interest in "Zen" among foreign tourists, the application introduces in English an interview with Zenryu Kawakami, deputy priest of Shunkoin Temple in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, who has held Zen workshops overseas, and temples in Kyoto where Zen meditation can be experienced.

Dates and access information for Toji Temple's Kobo-ichi Market and Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine's Tenjin-ichi Market, as well as how to ride on subways and buy tickets are introduced along with photos.

Application distribution began last August 30, and as of February 20, the number of times it has been downloaded and browsed are up to approximately 49,000 and 1,090,000,respectively.