Kyoto City has been selected as this year's Best Big City in the world for the first time in the annual ranking by Conde Nast Traveler, a leading U.S. travel magazine, moving up from second place last year. This shows Kyoto's enduring popularity despite the ongoing restrictions on tourists entering Japan due to measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The monthly magazine was first published in 1987 and has a circulation of approximately 800,000. It is popular mainly among the affluent population. The year marks the 33rd anniversary of its readers' vote-based rankings of popular cities. Kyoto broke into the top ten in 2015, coming in at number nine, and it was consecutively ranked second in 2018 and 2019.

The magazine praised Kyoto, saying, "machiya-lined streets are draws for their specialty crafts shops and chic concept stores," and that there are "about 100 Michelin-starred restaurants." Lyon came in second and Singapore third. Among other cities in Japan, Tokyo ranked sixth, falling from last year's top spot.

Daisaku Kadokawa, the mayor of Kyoto City, commented, "I am happy that Kyoto is recognized as an attractive tourist destination and highly rated, even though overseas tourism is limited (by the coronavirus pandemic)."