By Elaine Lies

KYOTO, Japan's ancient capital, is a laid-back counterpart to Tokyo, first established more than 1,000 years ago.

Its wide avenues follow a grid pattern that invites easy walking, one of the best ways to explore. Strolls reveal a modern city, but one where traditional touches -- a tiny shrine, upswept temple roofs -- are never far away.

Reuters correspondents with local knowledge help visitors make the most of the city that was Japan's capital until 1868.

Photograph: Scenes from Kyoto.

Photograph: stock.Xchange