Kyoto offers travelers to Japan an exciting alternative to Tokyo. This beautiful city is a mix of the modern and the old, with many memories of this city’s past and its place as the cultural heart of the country. The main residence of the Japanese emperor was in Kyoto from the 8th century until the 19th, when he moved to the current capital, Tokyo. There is a lot to see here as, unlike other cities, Kyoto was not damaged during World War II.
Kyoto is a true experience of unique history and culture. In order to see it all, you’ll need to allow enough time to visit as many attractions as you can. If you can only visit them for a short amount of time, decide which places you want to visit more of, rather than trying to rush through them all.
There are many temples in Kyoto that offer an insight into the varied nature of Japanese culture. They are also historically and architecturally interesting. You’ll find that many of Kyoto’s recommended tourist attractions will be temples of some sort.
The two prominent religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shinto; each with their own temples. The most impressive Buddhist temple in Kyoto is the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. The top two floors are lined with gold leaf, which is reflected in the pool below, connecting the heavens above with the earth below. The importance of this temple to Buddhists stems from the shrine it contains, which contains relics from the life of the Buddha.
The nearby Silver Pavilion, or Ginkakuji, was intended to be a complement to the Golden Temple, with a contrasting cover of silver leaf, but this plan was never carried out. The Silver Temple is therefore much simpler than its neighbor, though it has its own simpler charm. There are two peaceful gardens here; one with a pond surrounded by a rockery, where you are supposed to move and experience the changes in perspective that occur; and another where the sand has been sculpted into meditative patterns, creating a very calm atmosphere. Both are perfect antidotes to the stress of travel and jet lag.
Another Buddhist temple that is definitely worth visiting is the Pure Water Temple (Kiyomizudera). This world-famous temple is recognized by UNESCO for its unique value and has been named as a world heritage site. It has been standing since the 8th century, when it was founded by one of the oldest Buddhist sects in Japan. Look out over the city of Kyoto from a nearby hill, surrounded by forests. The view of Kyoto from the terrace of the temple is impressive! Here is also a beautiful fresh spring from which the waters are believed to have healing powers.
There are two Zen temples that make an interesting addition to the main Buddhist temples. The Heavenly Dragon Temple (Tenryuji) was once the residence of an Emperor. When Go Daigo died, his house became this temple in memory of him. The name was chosen when a priest who was dozing nearby dreamed that a dragon appeared from the river. When he awoke, he concluded that this was a sign that the Emperor’s spirit had not found peace in death, and that the temple should be placed there to appease the restless spirit. The current building was only built about a century ago, after the eighth in a series of unfortunate fires damaged the various incarnations of the temple. However, the gardens date back to the 14th century, and offer a peaceful space for a leisurely stroll.
The second temple, and a world heritage site, is called the Temple of the Peaceful Dragon (Ryoanji). The zen garden here is the best example of its kind that you will see. There are carefully placed rocks and furrows of sand that have been raked into precise patterns, creating a haven of calm within the simple clay walls.
The Shinto religion is more unique to Japanese culture than the Buddhist, though the temples here give the impression of Buddhism molded to Japanese minds. Two of the local Shinto temples offer interesting tours in Kyoto. The first is Fushimi Inari, dedicated to the god of rice. If you visit it, pay attention to the numerous decorations in the form of foxes. These were traditionally Inari’s animal messengers. The sanctuary is beautiful and peaceful; particularly in the afternoon light. The most impressive feature of this temple is the various spectacular gates or bulls that surround it.
Even more examples of these gates are found at the local Second Shinto temple. Heian Jungu is a 19th century temple dedicated to two Japanese emperors, Kammu and Komei. It was built to commemorate the eleven hundred years of the founding of the city. At the end of every October, the Jidai Matsuri festival is held here. Thousands of people parade and celebrate the day that Kyoto became the capital of Japan, even though it no longer holds this honor.
There are also some interesting places to visit if you are less into temples. The Imperial Palace is a spectacular complex of buildings with many beautiful gardens and interesting architectural features. The current palace was built in the 18th century, like Tenryuji, it has also suffered several fires. Numerous emperors have also chosen to be crowned here in the Palace.
The Gion district is one of the most famous features of Kyoto. An exciting day can be spent wandering its charming streets, trying to spot a geisha or maiko in traditional dress. Geishas are trained artists and not, as is commonly believed, prostitutes. The area has been well preserved, so many of the buildings date back to the Middle Ages and there is a unique atmosphere that attracts most tourists.
Kyoto is also a modern and busy city, offering excellent shopping among other things. This gives those of you less interested in historical sights the chance to spend time looking for the latest in fashion and technology.