Kyoto has been named the world's best city in a 2014 poll by readers of the U.S. magazine Travel + Leisure, according to the publication's website.
The ancient capital, known for its centuries-old temples and shrines, ranked ninth in 2012, becoming the first Japanese city that broke into the top 10. In the latest poll, it ranked first with a score of 90.21 points, followed by Charleston, South Carolina (90.18), Florence, Italy (89.99), and Siem Reap, Cambodia (89.82).
In 2013, Kyoto received a record 51.62 million tourists, according to the city. Local hotels and inns accommodated 1.13 million foreign travelers, topping the 1 million mark for the first time.
A city official said its promotion of "washoku" Japanese cuisine and cultural traditions has helped draw a large number of tourists.
