Kyoto Imperial Palace
Japan's imperial family lived in the Kyoto palace from 1331
until 1868 (when they moved to Tokyo), and today visitors can view
the furnishings and delicate decorations. Once only accessible via
a guided tour that required advanced booking, the palace grounds
can now be entered and viewed at the visitor's leisure without any
prior arrangements. English guided tours are possible, and those
interested should book a space in advance in order to avoid
disappointment by calling at the Imperial Household Agency office.
Visitors should note that even on the official tours it is
impossible to enter any of the palace buildings, although you
should be shown a video and photos showcasing the interiors. There
are lockers at the site to store anything you don't want to carry
while walking around the complex.
Address: 3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Greg Palmer
To-ji
To-ji is a Buddhist temple founded in 794 as guardian of the
then young capital city. Today, it sits about 10 minutes' walk to
the south of Kyoto Station, drawing curious tourists to admire its
five-storey pagoda which was rebuilt in the mid-17th century. Over
the centuries, a treasure trove of statues, calligraphy, and
paintings has been collected at the temple, now housed in the
various historic buildings making up the complex. The statues
include a six-metre-tall Senju Kannon (thousand-armed Buddhist
Goddess of Mercy) carved in 877. The gardens at the temple are
lovely and the temple is an active place of worship which holds
many ceremonies and religious services, giving the place a serene
and authentic atmosphere which the popular tourist temples
sometimes lack. Although many foreigners do choose to visit To-ji,
the majority of people at the temple are locals there to pray and
worship. There are many temples in the area but To-ji stands out
because of its historic pagoda.
Address: 1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku
To-ji in spring
robertpaulyoung
Sanjusangen-do
The temple of Rengeoin, in eastern Kyoto, is better known by its
popular name of Sanjusangen-do. Inside the longest wooden building
in Japan stand row upon row of life-sized statues of Kannon, the
goddess of mercy, carved from Japanese cypress and covered in gold
leaf, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. There are 1,000
statues altogether and each is unique, bearing a religious symbol
or making a religious gesture. The statues surround the large,
central figure of a seated Kannon, carved in 1254 in the Kamakura
Period. The building and statues were once part of a large Buddhist
temple complex known as the Lotus King Temple which was sadly
destroyed leaving only a few buildings intact. The effect of all
the golden statues, which create a kind of yellow haze, is mystical
and somewhat hypnotic, giving credence to the local myth that if
you stare at them for long enough one of the statues will assume
the form of a loved one. No photos are allowed inside but you are
permitted to photograph the outside of the building and the lovely
grounds. There is a gift shop where you can buy some souvenirs at a
reasonable cost. There are guides and prayer books in English for
those who want more information.
Address: Shichijo Dori
Sanjusangen-do
Eric Salard
Gion
Most visitors to Japan are fascinated with traditional geisha:
white-faced kimono-clad women specially trained to entertain and
spoil men in a soothing setting. Kyoto boasts one of the most
famous geisha districts in the country, a neighbourhood of plain
wooden buildings to the east of the Kamo River known as Gion. There
were once thousands of geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha)
performing their genteel tasks in this area. Today, the number has
dwindled to a few hundred, but visitors who stroll Hanamikoji
Street at sunset, past teahouses and restaurants, will probably
catch a glimpse of one or two en route to the geisha houses in
their wooden shoes and full traditional finery. The geisha houses
themselves are sadly strictly off-limits to anyone not properly
introduced and invited, but from behind the paper screens you will
hear the strains of music and laughter. It is fascinating to read
up on the geisha tradition before visiting the area but it also
seems fitting that they still retain their mystery behind the paper
screens. While geisha-spotting in the Gion district, take in the
Yasaka Shrine, with its many paper lanterns and the Minamiza Kabuki
Theatre.
Address: Gion, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
Geisha
Robert Young
Kiyomizu-dera
Meaning 'pure water', Kiyomizu-dera is one of Japan's most
celebrated temples. Founded in 780, it is associated with Nara
Buddhism, the oldest sect in Japan. The temple is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and one of its main features for tourists is the
lovely view afforded of the wooded hills of eastern Kyoto from its
terrace. Below the terrace is the spring from which the temple got
its name; visitors can sample the water, which is said to have
healing powers. Nearby is an interesting three-storey pagoda, and
the Otawa Falls. The approach to the temple, along Kiyomizu-michi
or Gojo-zaka, is steep and narrow, the streets lined with stores
specialising in local sweets, pottery, and the inevitable
souvenirs. Behind the temple is the Shinto Jishu Shrine, dedicated
to the god of love. There is lots to see and do in the temple
complex, which tends to be bustling with visitors and worshippers,
and provides a fascinating cultural and historical experience for
foreigners. The gardens are beautiful and, like many in Japan, are
at their best when the cherry blossoms bloom in spring or when the
leaves are at their most radiant in autumn. It is especially lovely
to stay until it is dark (when possible) to see the temple light up
at night.
Kiyomizu-dera
Richard Summers
Minamiza Kabuki Theatre
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese dance-drama known
for its stylised take of performance and the elaborate make-up worn
by some performers. It is a very old art form, which had its golden
age in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Today it is the most
popular style of traditional Japanese drama and its star actors can
be seen in television and film roles as well as on the stage. While
there are many wonderful places in Japan to view Kabuki theatre,
the Kyoto Minamiza Theatre is one of the principal venues for such
performances and a major hub for the art form. The building itself
is an architectural wonder, built in a traditional style in 1929,
on the edge of the Geisha district of Gion. Visitors can pay to see
individual acts of plays or to see the entire performance. Because
the theatre has become popular among tourists, an English
voice-over or purchasable programme explains the show to
foreigners. A trip to the theatre is a fascinating cultural
experience and shouldn't be missed by any tourists with an interest
in theatre and Japanese culture. For the uninitiated, one act is
generally enough. It is often best to begin with an individual act
and then book for a full performance if you enjoy it.
Address: 198 Nakanomachi Yamatooji Nshi-iru, Shijo Ohashi,
Higashiyama-ku
Kabuki performer
lensonjapan
Kyoto has a humid subtropical climate and four distinct seasons
with a marked variation in temperature and precipitation. Summers,
between June and August, are hot and humid with an average
temperature of about 78°F (26°C), and some swelteringly hot days
with temperatures topping 104°F (40°C).
The summer rainy season usually begins in the middle of June and
lasts until the end of July, and rain during this period is fairly
constant. The second half of summer is therefore better for travel
but only if you can bear the heat.
Winters, between December and February, are cold and snowfall is
common in the city. Temperatures in winter frequently drop below
freezing point. Kyoto does sometimes get hit by typhoons and the
peak season for these storms is September and October. As a result,
September is sometimes the wettest month in Kyoto.
The best time to visit the city is in the milder shoulder
seasons of spring (March and April) and autumn (October and
November), although travellers generally prefer to avoid the
typhoon season and arrive in late autumn. Spring is a popular time
to travel all over Japan because of the famously beautiful cherry
blossoms which spring up all over the country.
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Travellers in Kyoto should not experience much
difficulty getting around, as the city boasts a highly developed
public transportation system that is fairly accommodating to
foreigners. Kyoto's bus and tram networks encompass the entire
city, with many of the services announcing each destination in
English as well as Japanese.
The green-and-white Kyoto City buses are the most
useful for visitors, as they travel extensively within the city
limits, whereas the red-and-white buses travel between the city and
its suburbs and are more geared towards commuters. There are also
three bus routes specifically designated for tourists, the 100,
101, and 102 Raku buses, which focus exclusively on popular
attractions and can be more efficient for the time-conscious
sightseer.
Kyoto has two subway lines, Karasuma and Tozai, which
travel north-to-south and east-to-west-to-south, respectively.
Travelling by subway in Kyoto can be the quickest option,
especially between the north and south parts of the city; the
subway usually operates between 5:30am and 11:30pm.
Taxis are another transport option for visitors in
Kyoto, with many throughout the city. Taxis can be waved down from
the side of the road and taking a taxi is usually considerably
faster than travel by bus. Because of their expense, however, taxis
may be best suited for those travelling in groups of three to five
people.
The more adventurous visitors to Kyoto can take to
the streets by bicycle. The city is, for the most part, flat and
bicycle-friendly, with many affordable places to rent a bike for
the day. Prospective cyclists should take note that bicycles can
only be parked in designated areas, which may be incredibly
crowded. Failure to do so can result in the bicycle being
impounded.
Kyoto is Japan's premier destination for
historical sightseeing and tourists keen to sniff out traditional
Japanese culture will love the city. The attractions of Kyoto are
numerous but they are also spread out all over the place and
sometimes take some finding. The positive aspect of exploring is
the joy of stumbling upon unexpected treasures and attractions in
the charming backstreets of Kyoto. The best way to experience this
city is to get lost in it.
Kyoto is a city of temples, shrines, and gardens,
and there is lots to see and do. Sightseeing highlights include the
Geisha neighbourhood of Gion, the stunning Kiyomizu-dera water
temple, the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and
the temple of Sanjusangen-do. There are also a number of worthwhile
attractions just outside of the city, including the Golden Pavilion
and its beautiful gardens.
The best way to access Kyoto's tourist attractions
(which are not located near subway stations) is by bus. The city is
served by multiple bus companies with direct lines from Kyoto
Station and several points in the city centre. An English map of
the Kyoto City bus network is available from tourist offices, and
signs are in English as well as Japanese. Fares are paid on leaving
the bus. The only drawback to the buses is that traffic density
makes them slow and they can become very crowded.
For getting around the city centre the subway is
recommended. Two subway lines cross the city, from north to south
and east to west. Kyoto also has a high concentration of taxis,
particularly in the city centre.
Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji)
One of Kyoto's most popular attractions is to the north of the
city. The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) is a three-storey pavilion
covered in gold leaf, glittering in the waters of a calm pond and
surrounded by beautiful gardens. Kinkakuji was built in 1397 as a
retirement home for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who lived there in
luxury until he died in 1408, after which the building was
converted into a Zen temple. In 1950, a monk burnt the pavilion
down and it was not rebuilt until 1955. Today it is covered in gold
leaf five times thicker than the original coating and presents an
awesome sight. The pavilion is worth visiting at any time of the
day and in any season - in fact, it is strikingly magnificent in
winter, when surrounded by white snow. Although sunset can be
particularly special, because the temple glows in the setting sun,
the popularity of the place means that there are often big crowds
and the best time to visit to really experience the tranquillity
and beauty of the pavilion is early in the morning. A short walk
from the pavilion is Ryoanji, Japan's most famous Zen rock garden,
laid out in the 15th century. A veranda overlooks the garden in
which 15 rocks are set among raked white pebbles.
Address: 1 Kinkaku-ji-cho Kita-ku, Kyoto
Kinkakuji
Chris Gladis
Katsura Imperial Villa
Built in 1645 by Prince Toshihito and considered to
be the finest example of pure Japanese architecture and garden
design, Katsura Rikyu is beautiful in its simplicity. The buildings
are constructed of entirely natural materials and consist of a
moon-viewing pavilion, an imperial hall, teahouse, and the wooden
villa itself. The garden is designed for leisurely strolls with
surprises around each corner, from stone bridges and lanterns to
ponds and manicured trees. The grounds are particularly beautiful
in the autumn, when the rich colours of the trees make for even
better photos than usual. It is interesting to see how the imperial
families lived and the Katsura Imperial Villa is one of the most
popular attractions in Kyoto. The villa may be visited only on
pre-arranged, guided tours organised by the Imperial Household
Agency, with tours held each weekday, on Sundays and occasionally
on Saturdays. Tours are in Japanese only, and can be arranged at
the office of the Imperial Household Agency next to the Imperial
Palace in central Kyoto. Foreigners will be given audio guides. The
villa is closed between roughly 28 December and 4 January and for
imperial functions. Be sure to take along your passport when you
apply for a permit, and book at least a day in advance.
Katsura Imperial Villa
np&djjewell
Nara
The city of Nara, 26 miles (42km) south of Kyoto, could be
regarded as the place where Japan's culture was formalised. The
city, originally called Heijo, became the first permanent capital
of the country in 710. Although its capital status only lasted for
74 years, they were years that entrenched and enshrined Japan's
arts, crafts, and literature. Nara flourished as a political and
cultural centre and thus was blessed with numerous temples,
shrines, pagodas, and palaces, which today attract locals and
foreigners intent on glimpsing historic Japan. Most of Nara's
historic treasures are conveniently contained in a vast park which
has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making
sightseeing easy and pleasurable. Highlights are Todaiji, the huge
temple that contains Japan's largest Buddha statue, and Horyuji,
the temple containing the world's oldest wooden structures. A good
way to explore the city is on a historic walking tour and visitors
should ensure that they take a stroll around the old Naramachi
merchant district. It is easy to find your way around and enjoy a
solitary foray into history with a guidebook should you so desire,
but joining a guided tour can be very informative.
Todaiji Temple, Nara
DavideGorla
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Greg Palmer
To-ji in spring
robertpaulyoung
Sanjusangen-do
Eric Salard
Geisha
Robert Young
Kiyomizu-dera
Richard Summers
Kabuki performer
lensonjapan
