Yes,
eclip5e, locals were indeed appalled.
Kyoto is a city of wonderous treasures. Originally established as Heiankyo in 794, it was the political capital of the nation until the Edo era but has always been its cultural centre. Its unique kansai dialect, distinctive cuisine, and innumerable Buddhist temples make Kyoto a city that should be designated a National Living Treasure.
As a living city, it has of course changed.
Throughout its history it has been stricken by fires, occupied by warring forces, been desolated, overpopulated, and rebuilt.
Now buildings tower over and the old sections of the city, casting them into shadows. Old houses are torn down to make way for love hotels. The fields around Kyoto have vanished. Parts of it are indistinguishable from commercial and industrial cities like Osaka and Fukuoka.