Kyoto Imperial Palace
Japan's imperial family lived in the Kyoto palace from 1331
until 1868, 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. A five-storey pagoda
rebuilt in the mid-17th century, a treasure trove of statues,
calligraphy, and paintings has been collected at the temple. 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 holding
many ceremonies and religious services, giving the place a serene
and authentic atmosphere. While there are many temples in the area,
To-ji stands out because of its historic pagoda and awesome
collection.
Address:
1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku
To-ji in spring
robertpaulyoung
Sanjusangen-do
Once part of a large Buddhist temple
complex known as the Lotus King Temple, the temple of Rengeoin is
better known by its popular name of Sanjusangen-do. Inside the
longest wooden building in Japan stands row upon row of life-sized
statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. They're carved from
Japanese cypress and covered in gold leaf, dating back to the 12th
and 13th centuries. There are 1,000 statues and each is unique,
bearing a religious symbol or gesture. They surround the large,
central figure of a seated Kannon, carved in 1254 in the Kamakura
Period. All the golden statues create a hypnotic yellow haze,
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.
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.
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 are the lovely views from the terrace of the wooded hills
of eastern Kyoto. Below the terrace is the spring from which the
temple got its name; visitors can sample the water said to have
healing powers. Nearby is an interesting three-storey pagoda, and
the Otowa Waterfall. 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.
Kiyomizu-dera
Richard Summers
Minamiza Kabuki Theatre
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese
dance-drama known for its stylised performance and the elaborate
make-up worn by some performers. It enjoyed a golden age in the
late 17th and early 18th centuries, and today is the most popular
style of traditional Japanese drama. 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.
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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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 alongside
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. A short walk from
the pavilion is Ryoanji, Japan's most famous Zen rock garden, laid
out in the 15th century.
Address:
1 Kinkaku-ji-cho Kita-ku, Kyoto
![Kinkakuji]()
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 and a
teahouse, as well as 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's
interesting to see how the imperial families lived and the Katsura
Imperial Villa is one of the most popular attractions in Kyoto.
![Katsura Imperial Villa]()
Katsura Imperial Villa
np&djjewell
Nara
Originally called Heijo, Nara 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. It flourished as
a political and cultural centre and was blessed with numerous
temples, pagodas and palaces. Most of Nara's historic treasures are
conveniently contained in a vast park, making sightseeing easy and
pleasurable. Highlights are Todaiji, the huge temple containing
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.
![Todaiji Temple, Nara]()
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
Kinkakuji
Chris Gladis
Katsura Imperial Villa
np&djjewell
Todaiji Temple, Nara
DavideGorla
