|
DestinationsOther |
Kyoto Attractions JapanDISTRICTS Arashiyama Arashiyama contains several historic sites, including tombstones of the Taira clan (Kamakura period), temples and shrines. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants in the district, and a popular park that is home to almost 200 monkeys. Gion The Gion district is one of the oldest quarters of the city, dating to the early feudal era, and is famous for traditional arts and entertainment. Visitors looking to see geisha and their apprentice maiko will find them here. Gion is also home to popular restaurants, shopping and famous tea houses. Much of the traditional architecture remains. Kamishichiken One of the oldest geisha districts in Kyoto, modern Kamishichiken is known for traditional teahouses and hand woven textiles. Every February, the streets fill with geisha and maiko celebrating the Plumb Festival. Miyagawachô A traditional site for kabuki, in particular at the Minamiza theatre. Pontochô Popular for its modern and traditional tea houses, Pontochô was once known for popular its geisha, and is the site of the first kabuki performance. The district is an excellent destination for exploring traditional Japanese architecture. Shimabara Formerly the site of Edo era brothels, Shimabara is now a popular spot for tea houses, theatre and historic architecture. PARKS & GARDENS Gardens are plentiful in the nation’s old capital. Virtually all temples incorporate one or more Zen gardens, but the city is also home to impressive botanical gardens. There are several styles of garden in Japan, but several features are common to all, including the use of water, lanterns and bridges. Iwatayama Monkey Park A popular park on Mt Arashiyama, home to almost 200 Japanese Snow Monkeys. Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden One of the most prominent examples of the traditional Japanese garden. Ninomaru Garden The lush gardens of the Nijo Castle complex are now a World Heritage Site. HISTORIC SITES Katsura Imperial Villa This large villa was built in the early Edo period by a royal prince. It is now nown as one of the best examples of large scale Edo era architecture and for its gardens, which are considered a masterpiece of Japanese design. Kyoto Imperial Palace Known as Kyoto Gosho has been located on the present grounds since the Heian period. Many buildings date back to around 794 and has been rebuilt many times, as recently as 1855. Tours are available, managed by the Imperial Household Agency. Kyoto Yuzen Cultural Hall Devoted to a special form of dyeing fabrics unique to Kyoto, dating back to the 17th century. Kyoto Station The center of transportation for the capital, Kyoto Station houses both national and metro rail lines, a rooftop observatory, tourist information services, a hotel, movie theatre, many restaurants and floor upon floor of shopping. From here, visitors can travel to all corners of the city. Nijo Castle A must see for visitors to Kyoto, Nijo Castle is an expansive palace, covering nearly 300,000 square meters. Built for the Tokugawa shoguns, castle was completed in 1626. It was from Nijo Castle that the last Tokugawa shogun returned power to the Imperial family in 1867. Nijo is also famous for its nightingale floors, designed to squeak like nightingales when walked upon to warn of potential assassins. Philosopher’s Walk A quiet side street popular as the daily walk of philosopher Kitaro Nishida. Beautiful, lined with cherry trees and following a slow moving river. Sento Imperial Palace Built in 1630, the palace was used as the retirement villa for emperors. The palace is best known for its gardens. Shugaku-in Imperial Villa When construction was completed in 1659, the villa became an imperial residence. It maintains several gardens and a few tea houses. The site is considered a modern cultural treasure. MUSEUMS Hosomi Art Museum A museum of private collections of Buddhist and Shinto artifacts, lacquer ware, scrolls and various crafts dating to the Nara period before Kyoto became the capital. A gift shop offers crafts and souvenirs. Kyoto National Museum The Kyoto National Museum is one of the largest in the country, maintaining a collection that spans all of Asia. Several buildings house the rotating exhibits, and the thousands of artifacts require time to get through. Kyoto Costume Museum The Kyoto Costume Museum celebrates centuries of Japanese arts and crafts, housing clothing from as far back as the Nara period. Miniature exhibits recreate various moments from Japanese history and literature, including a recreation of the Genji villa from the now famous Tale of Genji. Museum of Kyoto Presenting the history of Kyoto through displays and video. A gift shop offers crafts and souvenirs, and the on site restaurant serves Kyoto’s favorite dishes. National Museum of Modern Art The museum houses a remarkable collection of arts and crafts from around the world, focusing on modern Japanese creations. Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts Devoted to traditional craft, this museum offers visitors modern features including a library and an extensive, searchable database. Toei Movie Land A truly unique experience, Toei is the Japanese answer to Hollywood. Several periods of history are recreated here, and films and television programs are regularly filed on site. SHOPPING Central Wholesale Market Founded in 1927, the Kyoto Central Wholesale Market offers a wide variety of local foods and fresh fish. Gion District The Gion district is one of the oldest quarters of the city, famous for traditional arts and entertainment. Visitors looking to see geisha and their apprentice maiko will find them here. Gion is also home to popular restaurants, shopping and famous tea houses. Nishiki Food Market One of the many long, narrow and often crowded shopping streets found in Japan, Nishiki Food Market houses more than 100 shops dedicated to the unique dining interests of modern Japan. TEMPLES There are countless temples and shrines in Kyoto. Among the most famous are Daitoku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera, however there are many others that enjoy a long history as well. Ornate architectural detail, historical artifacts and lush gardens continue to draw visitors. Fans of Japanese sword culture may also be interested in visiting the temple sites of the now famous battles between the Yoshioka fencing school and the legendary ronin Miyamoto Musashi Daigo-ji Founded in 894, the temple maintains a five story pagoda that is a registered National Treasure. Daitoku-ji Daitoku-ji, in northern Kyoto, is a Buddhist temple in the Rinzai tradition founded by legendary philosopher Takuan Soho, who became the abbot in 1608 at the unprecedented age of 35. Originally built in 1319, the temple complex was favored by the Imperial family, who lived near by. Daitoku-ji suffered during the Onin War of 1467-77, when some of the buildings were burnt to the ground, but these were rebuilt and the complex grew. Enryaku-ji A legendary mountain temple overlooking the city, Enryaku-ji was founded by Tendai monk Saicho in the 8th century. At its peak, the temple complex contained more than 3,000 buildings and trained students in Buddhism and the martial arts. The warrior monks of Enryaku-ji, known as Sohei, became one of the most powerful military forces in Japanese history, and were often called upon to settle disputes within the Imperial line. The temple was attacked in 1571 by warlord Oda Nobunaga, who felt the temple had grown too powerful. Oda sought to become the ultimate ruler of the nation and burnt much ot the complex to the ground, killing many monks in the process. The temple maintains a flame that has been burning since the temple was founded. Fushimi Inari Shrine Built in 711, the shrine is most famous for countless torii gates lining the pathway to the mountain shrine. Ginkaku-ji The Temple of the Silver Pavilion was built in 1474 as the residence of retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. Modeled after Kinkaku-ji, Yoshimasa intended to cover the building with silver, but due to the Onin War was never completed. Ginkaku-ji became a Buddhist temple upon the death of Yoshimasa in 1490. Heian Jingû This Shinto shrine dates to 1895, and is most famous for its massive Torii gate, one of the largest in Japan. Several annual events take place here, including the Jidai Matsuri celebrating the transfer of the capital to Kyoto. Kinkakuji Built in 1397 as the home for retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, Kinkaku-ji is the most famous temple in Kyoto, and one of the most famous in the country. The top two floors of the three story villa are completely covered in fine gold leaf. The villa was burned down several times, most recently in 1950. Kiyomizu-dera Founded in 798, most of the modern buildings date to the early 1600s. The site is a popular spot on Buddhist pilgrimages, as well as with those hoping to gather the good fortune of Japan’s deities. Kiyomizu-dera is is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most visited sites in Kyoto. Kurama Temple Kurama Temple was built in 770. The complex is known for many things, including the training of legendary samurai and national hero Minamoto Yoshitsune, said to have learned the way of the sword from mountain demons known as tengu. It is also the birthplace of the now world practiced Reiki holistic massage techniques. Mt. Hiei Found just north east of the capital, Mt. Hiei (called Hiei-san by the locals) is the setting for the now legendary Enryaku-ji temple and its warrior monks. The temple was built by Buddhist monk Saicho in 788 and became the most powerful temple in the nation. At its peak in the mid 16th century, the complex included more than 3,000 buildings and housed countless monks, skilled in the warrior arts. Feeling the temple had grown too powerful, warlord Oda Nobunaga burnt most of the temple to the ground and killed most of the monks. The complex was rebuilt and is now the center of Tendai Buddhism. A tram to the summit offers visitors the chance to enjoy spectacular views of the capital, dining, a traditional teahouse and a youth hostel. Rendai-ji In northern Kyoto, this is the site of the first of Musashi Miyamoto’s famous duels with the Yoshioka school of the sword. At the time, the Yoshioka were among the top schools in the country, led by Yoshioka Seijuro. Myiamoto and Seijuro fought on temple grounds, where Miyamoto crippled the Yoshioka swordsman, ending his career teaching sword arts. Ryôan-ji The UNESCO site was once the home of Fujiwara nobles. Today it is most famous for its impressive architecture, peaceful gardens and moss covered boulders. It is said that only through attaining enlightenment can one see all of the boulders in the garden. Several emperors of the Hosokawa line are enshrined here. Sanjusangendo Founded in 1164, the temple is famous for many features, including a statue of the Thousand Armed Kanon, considered a National Treasure. The temple is also the site of the second of Musashi’s duels with the Yoshioka school. Yoshioka Denshachiro, brother to the crippled Seijuro, challenged Musashi to defend the school name, but ultimately lost to Musashi. Saihô-ji Founded in the 700s, Saihô-ji is now best known for its moss garden, giving rise to the nickname Koke-dera, or Moss Temple. Seiryoji: Minamoto Villa Built in 945 as the home of Minamoto no Toru, a prominent Minamoto noble and something of a playboy, the villa is now a Buddhist temple. The temple houses an important portrait of the Buddha, said to have been made from an actual image of the historical Buddha himself, making it one of the most unique treasures in the nation. Shisendo This small temple in the north east corner of the city was the last stop Musashi made on his way to fight his final duel with the Yoshioka school. Musashi prayed for victory at the site before heading into the woods where he defeated the final heir to the Yoshioka name. The temple displays several photos of actors portraying the sword saint, sells charms bearing sword emblems and even maintains a large section of a tree from the battle site that Musashi is believed to have hid in or behind while planning his strategy. Tenryû-ji The main temple of the Tenryû sect, founded in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takauji. It is one of the most important historic sites in Kyoto, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site popular for its historic architecture and impressive gardens. THEATRE Kaburenjô Theatre In the Pontochô district, the theatre was founded in the 1870s. It is now a training hall for modern geisha, and hosts traditional performance arts from dancing to kabuki. Minamiza Theatre Showcasing a unique style of kabuki theatre, the current theatre dates to 1929. The theatre was built on the site of a previous theatre dating to the early 1600s. Shopping Kyoto is a popular destination for shoppers looking to find both traditional and modern arts and crafts. Perhaps the best location for traditional clothing from different periods, such as fine silks and the popular pleated pant worn by the samurai known as hakama are often less expensive here. Virtually all wares are available somewhere in Kyoto. More difficult items, such as fine Japanese swords, can be purchased from stores who will also manage the exporting licenses required for antiques and national treasures. Metro Train Stations Inexpensive keepsakes like key chains, folding fans, t-shirts and the like can be found at most train stations as well as scattered throughout the city. Nishiki Market A centuries old market on a narrow street, home to countless shops offering fresh treats, full meals, sweets and vegetables. Teramachi Street A shopping district devoted to popular Japanese comics and animation. 
|
