Kyoto(京都, Kyōto) — capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. The city has17 UNESCO entries(one common with Otsu and Uji), 2000 Buddhist and Sintoistic temples, 20,000 hectares of historical urban planning. It's Japan's spiritual heart.
Shintoist temples
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Japan's most famous Shintoist temple.10,000 red tori gates4 km upInariyama(233 m). Dedicated to Inari — the goddess of rice, trade and foxes (kitsune statues). Open 24/7, free admission. Best time: sunrise (5-7 mornings — without crowds) or after dark (lighted).
Yasaka Jinja (Gion)
In the Gion geisha district, the main temple of the festival of Gion Matsuri (July) — the oldest in Japan (since 869). Open 24/7, free admission.
Buddhist Temples
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
The 3-story pavilion over Kyōkochi Pond is covered with True Gold. Built 1397 by siogunа Yoshimitsu. Burnt by monk 1950 (the theme of Mishima's novel "Golden Pavilion"), rebuilt 1955. Introduction 500 JPY. 9:00 to 5:00.
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Contrast to the Golden — it was to be covered in silver, but never happened. Surrounded by beautiful zen gardens (compositions made of sand and stones).Philosophical Path(Tetsugaku no Michi) connects Nanzen-ji — 2 km avenue among 500 cherries. Introduction 500 JPY.
Kiyomizu-dera
"A temple of clean water" — a wooden terrace (13 m above ground) on 139 pillars WITHOUT ONE STEP. A view of Kyoto. Otov Falls — drink from the well: wisdom, longevity, love (choose one!). Introduction 400 JPY.
Ryōan-ji
The world’s most famous zen garden — 15 stones on white gravel. From no angle can you see all 15 (the principle of imperfection). Introduction 500 JPY.
Sanjūsangen-dō
"The Temple 33 bays" — 1001 Kannon statues (the goddess of mercy) of rice wood covered with gold. The longest wooden building in Japan (120 m). Introduction 600 JPY.
Nijō Castle
Shogun residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1603). "Slavic floors" (uguisubari) — deliberately creaking, warned against intruders. Interior with 3600 paintings. Introduction 1300 JPY.
Arashiyama — bamboo district
West Kyoto, 20 minutes by train.Sagano Bamboo Forest— 500 m of bamboo avenues (free).Tenryū-ji(UNESCO) — a Zen temple with a 14th-century garden (600 JPY).Iwatayama Monkey Park— 130 wild macaques, Kyoto panorama (600 JPY).
Gion — The Geisha District
At night comes to life: wooden machiya (traditional cottages),Hanami-kōji(main street). Around 5:30-18:00 geishas and maikos go to their customers. DO NOT FOTOGRAPHY them without permission — fine JPY 10,000.
Kyoto Kitchen — Kaiseki
Kyoto is the capitalryōri kaiseki— the arts of many small dishes, each aesthetically full. Standard caiseki dinner: 10-14 dishes, 8,000-25,000 JPY. Legendary restaurants:Kikunoi(3 stars Michelin),Hyotei(400 years of history).
Practical information
- Kyoto Bus Pass: 700 JPY/day, all city buses
- Kyoto is 3 meters tall: Karasuma lines (directly to the station) and Tōzai
- Season: hanami (end of March-beginning April, sacura), koyō (mid-November-half December, autumn leaves) — PRICES OF hotels x2
- Ryōkan: traditional Japanese hotel — from 15,000 JPY/os (dinner + breakfast kaiseki). CheckTawaraya(400 years) orHiiragiya— Legends
- Directions from Tokyo: Shinkansen Nozomi 2 hours 15 min, 13 320 JPY. JR Pass totally covers it