even in bustling cities there are places that have a rural quality
Proverb meaning that even in a sophisticated city like Kyoto, one can find rustic or unsophisticated areas. Often used to suggest that appearances can be deceiving, or that refinement is not universal.
As the saying goes, 'even in Kyoto there is countryside,' and even in the heart of the city, old-town atmosphere remains.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects the historical contrast between the imperial capital Kyoto and the rural provinces.