Kyoto Things to Do Tips by bkoon

Kiyomizudera is the MUST SEE temple in Kyoto. Sitting on high stilts, the temple also offers a nice view of the Kyoto city from its big terrace.

Extracted from web-link:
Main temple of the Kitahosso sect of Buddhism. Founded in 778 and built starting 798 on the side of Otowa Hill. The temple includes some 30 structures most of which were rebuilt in 1633 by Tokugawa Iemitsu the 3rd shogun. The Main Hall (National Treasure) with its wooden balcony is a beautiful work of architecture in the Heian period style with a single-ridge roof sloping in four directions and cypress-bark roofing. It contains an image of the Eleven-headed Kannon (Important Cultural Property). Otowa Waterfall is visible below the balcony. Koyasu-no-To (Important Cultural Property) a 3-storied pagoda built as a petition for easy childbirth can be seen across the valley. In December 1994 Kiyomizudera Temple became part of the World Cultural Heritage.

Entrance Fee : 300 Yen (As At 14 May 2004)

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Phone: 075-551-1234
Address: 294 1-chome Kiyomizu Higashiyama-ku
Directions: Bus number 100 or 206 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi and Gojo-zaka. 10 minute walk up to the temple from the bus stop.
Website: http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/ (In Japanese)
Other Contact: Fax : 075-551-1287

At Gion, you will see a lot of eateries and restaurants, from Japanese to Western to Chinese. In that area, there is a Gion Corner which is a preserved area with well-preserved traditional shophouses which are mainly high-end restaurants. More interestingly, Geishas and Maikos (apprentice Geishas) can be seen at Gion Corner.

When I was there, I remembered I peeped through a window (and other tourists as well) and saw Geishas/Maikos performing and serving their guests. One Japanese commented that we were lucky to have seen it as it costs a lot to engage them.

Extracted from web-link:
Gion was first developed as a town around Gion-jinja Shrine. In Edo Period (1603-1868) many theaters for Kabuki and playhouses for Ningyo-joruri were built. This district began as a Chaya (teahouse where maiko and geiko entertain their guests) quarter for the area of Gion Uchiroku-cho became a center of the theatrical and performing arts and developed into a 'Chaya-machi'. To this day the district is blessed with beautiful historic scenery including the Shirakawa River stone pavements cherry trees and rows of refined machiya (old Kyoto-style houses) dating from the late Edo Period (1603-1868) through early Meiji Period (1867-1912).

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Address: Gion
Directions: Keihan Rlwy: Shijo Sta.-walk approx. 3 min.
City Bus: Shijo Keihan-mae Stop -walk approx. 3 min.
Bus number 100 and 206 go to Gion bus stop.
Website: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html

The weather was a bit cloudy when I was at Ginkajuji. However, the place still looked good despite the weather. The temple is not silver in colour as described in most guide books. It is a wooden dark-coloured temple dedicated ro the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) and it has some good zen gardens. Walking up to the top of the hill (follow the marked route), you will catch a good (rather aerial) view of the temple.

Extracted from web-link:
Rinzai sect. Built as a villa in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa (8th shogun of the Muromachi period: 1331-1573) but later converted to a temple. Constructed in 1489 the pavilion (a National Treasure) is a 2-storey structure with a pyramidal roof. In contrast to its golden counterpart (Kinkakuji Temple) it was never covered in silver. Yoshimasa died before this was accomplished. Togudo (a National Treasure) in the northern part of the garden is the only structure untouched by fire. It contains a 4.5-tatami mat Tearoom that is believed to be the prototype of Japanese Tearooms. The lower garden with its impressive sand mounds is a Place of Special Scenic Beauty and a Special Historic Site. In 1994 Ginkakuji Temple was registered as part of the World Cultural Heritage.

Entrance Fee : 500 Yen

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Phone: 075-771-5725
Address: 2 Ginkakuji-cho Sakyo-ku
Directions: Keihan Rlwy: Demachiyanagi Stn. => City Bus: Ginkakujimichi stop -walk 10 min.; City Bus 4, 17 or 100; Ginkakujimae stop -walk 5 min.
Website: http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english/e_ginkakuji/index.html
Other Contact: Fax : 075-771-5439

Heian Shrine is a big temple (colour is striking red) near the Kyoto Modern Art Museum and Kyoto National Art Museum. The whole environment at Heian Shrine was very zen, meaning, empty spaces are all covered with stones. There is a very nice garden, the Shin-en Garden. There are 2 ponds with lilies and plants and there is even a pavilion where you can just sit down and relax. Newly weds love to go there for their photoshoots. So, if you would like to catch a glimpse of newly weds in their traditional wedding attire and their relatives and friends in their fine kimonos, I suggest you go to Shin-en Garden.

Extracted from web-link:
Founded in 1895 to commemorate Kyoto's 1100th anniversary. Dedicated to Emperor Kanmu who founded the capital and Emperor Komei the last Emperor to reign before the capital was moved to Tokyo. The Main Gate (Oten-mon) Great Hall of State (Daigokuden) and other brightly coloured buildings are smaller-scale replicas of buildings in the first imperial palace built 794. Shin-en a pond garden designed for strolling is a Place of Scenic Beauty and covers about 30000 square metres. It is divided into East Central West and South sections each of which has its moment of glory in a different season. Jidai Matsuri (festival) held October 22 is a panoramic procession of 2000 people wearing the costumes marking the periods of Kyoto's history.

Entrance Fee : Free for Temple; 600 Yen for Shin-en Graden (as at 15 May 04)

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Phone: 075-761-0221
Address: 97 Nishi Tenno-cho Okazaki Sakyo-ku
Directions: City Bus ( bus number 5 or 100 from Kyoto Station): Kyoto-kaikan-bijutsukanmae -walk 3 min
Subway Higashiyama Sta.-walk 7 min. Tozai Line (requires a transfer at Karasuma Oike Station from the Karasuma Line)
Website: http://raku.city.kyoto.jp/sight/new/view_sight.php?InforKindCode=1&ManageCode=1000203
Other Contact: Fax : 075-761-0225

It was raining during my trip to Kinkajuji and the place was packed with tourists. The Kinkajuji, or the Golden Pavilion is gold in colour as the wooden structure was coloured by gold leaves. It has 3 levels and visitors can only see the temple from the outside and not allowed to go in (similar to Ginkajuji, the Silver Pavilion). Level 1 is built as a normal Buddhist Temple, Level 2 is of the Samurai Style and Level 3, the Zen Style. Strolling slowly around the compound would be a good idea (not really possible if there are hordes of tourists around).

What you must do over there is to get into the tea house (situated near the exit) and taste the nice tea on the cooling tatami mats, whilst at the same time, viewing out into the greenery.

Extracted from web-link:
Affiliated with the Shokokuji school of the Rinzai sect. Built in 1397 as a country villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408: 3rd shogun of the Muromachi period). His son had the villa converted into a temple named Rokuon-ji. A three-storied structure with a four-sided roof meeting at a point the Golden Pavilion was destroyed through arson in 1950 and rebuilt in 1955. The pond garden also laid out in 1397 is a Special Historic Site and Place of Special Scenic Beauty. Sekkatei the Teahouse is celebrated especially for the nandina-wood pillar supporting the alcove. Nandina grows very slowly so a pillar of this circumference came from a venerable tree. In December 1994 the temple was registered as part of the World Cultural Heritage.

Entrance Fee : 400 Yen

The tea (foamy green tea and a Japanese sweet) cost 500 Yen.

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Phone: 075-461-0013
Address: Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) (kinkakuji temp
Directions: City Bus: Kinkakujimichi and Kinkakujimae -walk 2 min. Direct bus number 101 or 205 from Kyoto Station.
Website: http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english/e_kinkakuji/index.html

The Nanzenji Temple was very "spread out". There were many small shrines and places of interests where you can visit. At Nanzenji, I went to a small house (cannot remember the name now) and the tower gate of the Nanzenji. There was a bead jewellery exhibition and a zen garden. The place was rather normal after seeing so many "peculiar" ones.

Extracted from web-link :
Founded in 1291 on the site of retired emperor Kameyama's villa. Main temple of the Nanzenji School of the Rinzai sect. Although prospered in Muromachi period (1333-1568) the temple buildings were destroyed by fire during Onin Civil War and reconstructed by Ishin Souden who was refered to as 'the prime minister in monk robe'. The First Gate Imperial Envoy's Gate Main Gate (Important Cultural Property) Lecture Hall and abbot's quarters are laid out in a line surrounded by 12 subordinate temples . The abbot's quarters (National Treasure) are divided into larger part (Daihojo) and smaller part (Shohojo). It is said that Daihojo is the transfered part of the imperial palace building and Shohojo the part moved from Fushimijo Castle.
Founded in 1291.

NOTE :
Nanzenji is also a good starting or end point for a walk along the Path of Philosophy to/from Ginkakuji.

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Phone: 075-771-0365
Address: Fukuji-cho Nanzenji Sakyo-ku
Directions: Nanzenji can be reached by bus number 5 from Kyoto Station. Alternatively, take the subway Tozai Line to Keage Station (transfer from Karasuma Line at Karasuma Oike Station) from where the temple can be reached in a 10 minute walk.
Website: http://nanzenji.com/english/index.html
Other Contact: Fax : 075-771-6989

It rained the whole day and we needed to use an umbrella. When we reached Ryoanji Temple, only I was keen to enter and the rest were having temple burnt-out and they did not like the hassle of needing to walk in and out with their bulky umbrella.

When you first enter the temple compound, you will pass by a large pond with a little island where a small shrine is sitting on. The whole place was shaded with trees and hence, quite cooling to walk around even on a hot day (I believe).

As you enter the main temple building, you will see some Japanese Calligraphy at the doorsteps. They looked nice with thewarm lighting. The highlight of Ryoanji temple is its zen garden. There are 15 rocks placed on a rectangular piece of land full of small little stones. While sitting there gazing at the garden, you can then imagine what do all these symbolise. Quite amazing. There are also a few tearooms in the temple and not forgetting the nice temple water "well" at the back of the temple.

Extracted from web-link :
A temple of the Myoshinji Branch of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. Originally a villa of the Tokudaiji family it was taken over by Hosokawa Katsumoto in 1450 and turned into a temple of the Zen sect. The famous rock garden in front of the quarters of the head priest is a Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty. The garden is surrounded on three sides by an oil-stained earthen wall that is topped with cypress shingles. In December 1994 this simple yet profound garden of 15 rocks set within white gravel was listed as part of the World Heritage. In the eastern garden there stands a teahouse Zorokuan.

Entrance Fee : 500 Yen

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Phone: 075-463-2216
Address: 13 Goryonoshita-cho Ryoanji Ukyo-ku
Directions: City Bus and JR Bus: Ryoanji-mae -walk 1 min
15 minute walk west of Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion.
Other Contact: Fax : 075-463-2218

One of my favourite temples. It houses some 31 national treasures which are all statues of buddhist gods and goddesses. This is a Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) Temple.

The statues are :
1 Kannon Bodhisattva (Thousand Armed Kannon)
28 spirits subordinated to Kannon
1 Wind God (Fujin)
1 Thunder God (Raijin)

AND

On each side of Kannon, there are 500 statues, lined neatly in 10 tens rows of 50 statues per row. All the wooden statues are covered with gold leaves.

The main image of Kannon Badhisattva has 11 small faces and 21 pairs of arms which symbolise 1000 arms. Reason being, each arm saves 25 worlds.

Extracted from web-link :
Extending 125 metres from north to south with 33 intervals between the pillars this is the longest wooden structure in the world. Founded in 1164 by order of retired emperor Goshirakawa. The central image is a seated figure of the Kannon with 11 faces and 1000 arms (goddess of mercy: a National Treasure). This is flanked by 28 deities (all National Treasures) that usually accompany the main Kannon image and embody virtues such as exorcism of evil spirits etc. There are also 1000 smaller standing statues of the Thousand-armed Kannon. The temple is further renowned for the Toshiya or Archery Contest that takes place behind the temple in January. Affiliated with the Tendai sect.

Entrance Fee : 600 Yen (As at 15 May 04)

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Phone: 075-525-0033
Address: 657 Mawari-cho Sanjusangendo Higashiyama-ku
Directions: Keihan Rlwy: Shichijo -walk 3 min; City Bus(Numbers 100, 206 or 208: Hakubutsukan- sanjusangendomae
Website: http://raku.city.kyoto.jp/sight/new/view_sight.php?InforKindCode=1&ManageCode=1000241
Other Contact: Fax : 075-561-6698

The Fushimi Inri Temple is loacted in the outskirts of the city but it is definitely worth the visit. Different from the rest, this temple is full of red arches (known as torii gates). As you enter, you will be greeted by a pair of fox-like statues. Along the way, you will see many such fox-like statues and figurines. The big compound would require you to spend at least 1.5 hours, if not 2 hours. There are various small little shrines in the entire temple compund dedicating to different Buddhist Gods. The atmosphere is nice and environmentally friendly, I mean, cooling, shady and refreshing. No much tourists too.

Extracted from web-link :
Founded in 711 the main branch of Inari shrines all over Japan. Originally dedicated to the goddess of rice and other food it was later expanded to include deities for commerce housing and other aspects of life. The Main Hall (Important Cultural Property) was built in 1499. Thousands of red gates (torii) donated by devotees offer an extraordinary sight - a 4-kilometre vermilion tunnel leading up to the shrine. Inari Matsuri is the main festival. It runs from the Sunday nearest April 20 to May 3. The five portable shrines are among the finest in Japan. Hitaki Matsuri (a fire festival) takes place after the harvest on November 8. The festival serves to express gratitude to the deities returning to the mountains and to pray for well-being of family members.

It covers the hiking trails of Inarisan, the wooded mountain behind the shrine's main buildings. It takes about two hours to walk along the whole trail.

Entrance Fee : Free (As at 18 May 04)

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Phone: 075-641-7331
Address: 68 Yabunouchi-cho Fukakusa Fushimi-ku
Directions: JR (rail): Inari (second station from Kyoto on the JR Nara Line); City Bus: Inari-taishamae -walk 5 min; Keihan Rlwy: Fushimi-inari -walk 5 min
Website: http://inari.jp/ (In Japanese)
Other Contact: Fax : 075-642-2153

Karawamachi is a busy place where the shops and restaurants, including fast food and conveyor belt sushi restaurants are located. It is situated near Gion and there are big shopping malls located in the area. If you want to shop, shop along this street and you won't be disappointed.

Extracted from web-link :
An arterial street crossing the eastern part of Kyoto's urban area from the western foot of Aoi-bashi Bridge in the north down to Jujo-dori St. in the south constructed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as part of his Kyoto reconstruction projects. Originally a part of the the banks of the Kamo River the street took its name from the word Kawara meaning 'river banks'. It was elongated after Meiji Period (1867-1912). The section between Sanjo-dori St. and Shijo-dori St. is today the most animated downtown area in Koyto.

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Address: Karawamachi-dori Street