Kyoto Pictures
Travel Guide II

Intrepid offer nine interesting, good value Japanese tours, including high culture, high sights, high walks and haiku! e.g. Land of the Rising Sun
Japan through a Lens | Tokyo Kyoto Highlights | Japanese Active Adventure

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Japan Information: Japan Travel Guide | Japan Map | Kyoto Walks | Kyoto Day Trips | Japan Tours

Fushimi-Inari shrine and its multi-gated gate. Japanese overkill at work

- Fushimi-Inari Taisha, the boss shrine of more than 40,000 Inari shrines throughout the country, this is one of oldest in Kyoto. A pathway through hundreds of redtorii [gate, photo above] is quite an experience.
- Sanjusangen-do [do=hall] temple is known for its 1,001 wooden statues of Kannon [the Goddess of Mercy], and for the 100-meter main hall which houses the statues, Japan's longest wooden structure.

Best Architecture:
- Katsura Rikyu, an Imperial villa with a fine teahouses and outstanding classical Japanese garden, this exquisite Japanese structure shows how Japanese buildings can coexist with nature. Advance bookings only!
- Byodo-in, a building resembling a Phoenix [which is featured on the 10 Yen coin], is one of the few remaining Heian period pie4ces. The temple, reflected in a pond, is one of Japan's most magical man-made sights.

Best gardens:
The world-famous rock garden of Ryoan-ji is the absolute masterpiece of dry landscape style; Dais en zen garden and Ryogen zen garden of Daitoku-ji; Nanze-ji with Hoji-teien's renowned 'Leaping Tiger Garden'.
Next in line is the imperial court garden of Tenryu-ji; the unique chequered moss garden and rock garden of Tofuku-ji; Nijo Castle's Seiryu; finally, Katsura-rikyu's strolling garden is always enjoyed to the max.

Best hidden treasures:
- Sanzen-in Temple, located in the quiet town of Ohara [10 km north Kyoto] has a moss-covered Yusei garden surrounded by cedar trees, one of Japan's most photographed gardens.
- Saiho-ji, also known as the Moss Temple since its garden is covered with a mossy carpet, is truly a gem, but unfortunately viewing is by tour reservation only and requires plenty of time and money. However, nearby Jizo-in, known as the bamboo temple, has a similar ambience but no entry fuss.

Best museums:
- The Kyoto National Museum is the place to see fine Japanese art - including more than 200 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
- If you are Otaku or a comic lover then Kyoto International Manga Museum is the one to impress with a collection of 300,000 Japanese comic books; but no sukebe manga [erotic comics].

Best cherry blossom sights:
Ninna-ji Temple with its five-storied pagoda; Kamigamo Shrine, a Shogun favourite; Daigo-ji with 1,000 cherry trees including sacred weepers; Kodai-ji, near Kiyomizu-dera, is popular for its illuminated garden on spring and autumn evenings; the 90,000sqm Maruyama Park, is a popular venue for hanami [blossom viewing] parties; and amazing Haratani-en near Kinkaku-ji, is a private and pricey garden open only in cherry blossom season.

Best autumn colour:
- Jakko-in, one of the oldest temples in Kyoto is a favoured spot when its maple leaves go red in the autumn. It was built by Shotoku-Taishi, a 6th century prince.

Nanzen shrine and its super-size gateway, designed for super-sized shoguns, neh.

- Nanzen-ji, a zen temple with a massive San-mon gate; Tofuku-ji, the largest zen temple in Kyoto; one of the best views of maple leaves is supposed to be at Jojakko-ji; local Japanese favourites are Jingo-ji or Kozan-ji in the Takao district.

Guides to some other Kyoto attractions and activities:

See Kyoto Walks guide and pictures.

See Kyoto Day Trips guide and pictures.

Kyoto maiko [junior geishas] visiting a shrine in the early evening before heading off for work.
You too can dress like this and shuffle round town with no shape, no stride and a pancake face.
Come to think of it, maybe that's who these three little maids were!

Kyoto Entertainment:
Kyoto offers a host of traditional Japanese culture activities, such as a Geisha/Maiko makeover [yup, guys too], experiencing or learning the tea ceremony ritual, calligraphy [drawing Chinese characters], Ikebana [flower arranging], Origami [paper folding], cookery and Zazen [zen meditation].
The city has many theatres and halls for traditional dramatic arts such as Buto, Kabuki, No or Geishas to watch [if you didn't get to sleep the night before then these will help].
If you are a movie fan, touristy 'Toei Uzumasa Movie Village' park, an open-air samurai movie studio, maybe of interest.

Kyoto Cuisine:
Kyo-ryori [Kyoto cookery] is regarded as one of Japan's gourmet centres.
Healthy Yu-dofu [hot pot tofu dish] particularly near Nanzen-ji zen temple, is a winner - even with carnivores - especially in cold winter months.
If you are confident in Japanese table etiquette and carry a fat wallet, try Kyo-kaiseki [Kyoto haute cuisine] distinguished by the use of purely seasonable ingredients. Its quality and delicacy is the ultimate in Japanese cuisine, but intimidating even for Japanese people.

Kyoto arts and crafts:
Kiyomizu-yaki, one of Japan's distinguished ceramics developed in Kiyomizu-dera area; Nishijin-ori, glorious silk weave textile, known for its lavish gold brocade; Kyo-washi [handmade paper]; Kimonos decorated with Yuzen dye, etc...
Try the Kyoto Handicraft Centre, the best place for souvenirs.

Kyoto Festivals:
- 15 May, Aoi Matsuri [Hollyhock Festival] with a procession of 600 costumed folk that dates back to the 6th century. - - mid July for the main event, Gion Matsuri [Gion Festival], a parade of around 30 massive, traditional floats in one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals.
- mid August, Obon Daimonji [Festival of the Dead], setting fire to five hillsides in the shape of Buddhist symbols.
- October: Jidai Matsuri [Festival of the Ages], a marvelous procession of some 1,700 people in historic costumes.
- November, 2nd Sunday: Arashiyama Momiji Matsuri [Arashiyama Maple Festival] celebrates fall colours with traditional dramatic arts around the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
Castle: Nijo-jo
Shrines: Kamigamo-jinja, Shimogamo-jinja, Ujibami-jinja
Temples: Byodo-in, Daigo-ji, Enryaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Kozan-ji, Ninna-ji, Nishi Hongan-ji, Ryoan-ji, Saiho-ji, Tenryu-ji, and To-ji, with the highest 5-story pagoda [57m].

Japan Photos: Tokyo Pictures Guide | Kamakura | Japan Pictures | Kanazawa | Takayama Festival

Japan Information: Japan Travel Guide | Japan Map | Kyoto Walks | Kyoto Day Trips | Japan Tours

Kyoto Pictures Travel Guide II

Guides to some other Kyoto attractions and activities:

Kyoto Pictures
Travel Guide II