Kyoto

Introduction

Kyoto, kimono women at shrine

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Kyoto, Japan's capital until it was moved to Tokyo in 1868, is considered by many to be Japan's most beautiful city. Only Rome lays claim to more designated Unesco World Heritage Sites than this city nestled amongst the mountains of Western Honshu. The magnificent array of temples and shrines include famous names like the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaju and the Ryoanji zen garden. Kyoto is a sightseers paradise and much can be taken in on foot, although don't expect it to be the first impression you get of the city on arrival. Urban sprawl and ultra modern buildings like the glass and steel main train station, show signs of a city embracing modern times despite it's deeply traditional roots. But once you do find yourself in areas like Old Kyoto wandering down alleys of traditional narrow, wooden houses you will learn to appreciate the great artistic heritage that defined Kyoto for over a thousand years.

Sights and Activities

Buddhist Temples

The temple architecture in Japan was imported, along with Buddhism, from China around the 6th century. Some famous temples in and around Kyoto are:

• Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavillion) is a three story temple with the top two stories being covered in gold leaf.
• Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavillion) is a temple surrounded by a large tranquil Japanese garden.
• Kiyomoizu Dera.

Shinto Shrines

Shinto is the state religion in Japan. However, it is not like a religion in a traditional sense, there is no founder, canon or holy book. It is more of a state of mind and way of life. Some important shrines in Kyoto are:

• Fushimi Inari Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the gods of sake and rice complete with a 4km path lined with vermillion painted torii gates.
• Yasaka-jinja.

Ryoanji Zen Garden

Ryōan-ji Zen Garden is one of the finest examples of a Zen garden anywhere in the world. 15 stones are placed in the garden in 5 groups. Gravel surrounds these 15 stones and is carefully raked each day by the temple's monks. The only vegetation you'll find here is some moss around the stones. The garden is designed to be viewed while sitting on the veranda. The stones are arranged in such a way that it is not possible to see all 15 stones at once (apart from aerially). It is said that only those that are enlightened would be able to see all 15 stones at once.

There are several other gardens at the temple also, including a water garden and tea garden. The temple and its gardens are part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Other sights and activities

• Arashiyama is a peaceful area in the mountains about 20 minutes outside of Kyoto, includes Monkey Park and a lovely bamboo forest.
• Gion is the home of the Geisha.
• Path of Philosophy is a 30 minute walk from Eiakn-do to Ginkakuji.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace is the residence of past emperors for more than 1100 years.

Events and Festivals

• Gion Matsuri - The Gion Matsuri is one of the most famous festivals in Japan. It originated as purification ritual performed to appease the gods, in hopes that they would remove the plague from their land. In modern day practice, this event lasts for the entire month of July; streets are filled with decorative lanterns and lined with food vendors. The festival culminates with the procession of a grand parade marked by its extravagant floats, and sounds of traditional Japanese drums.
• Aoi Matsuri - The popular Aoi Festival features beautiful parades of horse-drawn carriages covered in layers of colorful and fragrant hollyhocks. This procession is intended to be a reenactment of the Emperor's officials delivering gifts to popular Japanese shrines. Onlookers can expect to see about 500 performers dressed in splendid ancient costumes and wearing traditional make-up.
• Daimonji Bonfire Festival - During this festival, bonfires are lit on Kyoto mountain-sides in the shape of Japanese characters. The lighting of these fires has spiritual significance to some, as the hope is that these symbols will help light the way home for visiting souls. Hours: 8:00pm
• Manto Nagashi - This annual event takes place on Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge. It's a ceremony where people write their wishes on lanterns and place them on the river. Some also use this practice to send off their ancestors' spirits. Hours: 7:00pm
• Nehan-e Buddah’s memorial - Kyoto is home to many famous Buddhist Temples, and there are many religious ceremonies held in March to commemorate the life and death of Buddah. Special memorial services and events are held at these popular temples: Shinnyo-do Temple, Sennyu-ji Temple, and the Tofuku-ji Temple.

Weather

Kyoto has a subtropical humid climate with warm, wet summers and drier but mild winters. Summers last from June to September when average highs are mostly between 28 and 34 °C and nights are between 19 and 24 °C. Winters from December to February see highs of 9-11 °C and lows of 0-2 °C. Most of the annual rain falls between March and October, while winters are relatively dry and there is a chance of snow from December to March, with 3-5cm a month on average.

Getting There

By Plane

As Kyoto doesn't have its own airport, Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka Airport (ITM) are the gateways to Kyoto (and Osaka/Kansai for that matter). The latter only serves domestic destinations.

By Train

Kyoto can be reached by train from Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima and Fukuoka, among many other places. Check Hyperdia for more details about schedules and prices.

Sleep

Learn

• Kyoto University

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

The Japanese postal service is excellent! Domestic and international mail service is very quick and reliable. The prices for sending letters, postcards and parcels vary depending on where you send if from and to which country you send it too, and of course depends on weight as well, so check this calculation page of Japan Post for more details. Post offices generally are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays, closing at weekends and also on national holidays, though a few open on Saturdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Central post offices are sometimes open until 7:00pm, open on Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm and on Sundays and holidays from 9:00am to 12:30pm. Another thing to remember is that the post office is one of the few places in Japan that is guaranteed to have ATMs that take international cards.