"Kyoto" a Kyoto Travel Page by vic&michael

Michael and I have been teaching English in Kyoto for nearly 3 years. We are very lucky to be able to live in Kyoto, as it is a rather expensive place to be a tourist in. We have slowly been experiencing the daily life in Japan, and also ticking off the many 'must see' sights around Kansai area. The good thing about living here is that there is always something new to do or to see! Kyoto is so close to Osaka city, and Nara (the ancient capital), Kobe, and even Hiroshima. We really like the food in Japan for it's freshness, beautiful presentation, deliciousness and it's healthy too!

Kyoto people (from my own experiences) are friendly, but shy. There have been times when I've been lost, and someone voluntarily stops to help me. But, other times, they don't stop to help because they're scared about speaking English. I've found it best not to ask, "Do you speak English?" Because they'll just say, "NO!" and run away. Just ask "where is this? Where is that?" (in English or Japanese) and you'll most likely be helped. A Japanese phrasebook is a lifesaver.

For sightseeing, I think that two temples in one day is enough. There are so many temples to see that it can get confusing & tiring if you visit too many in one day. In Kyoto, it is not uncommon to see girls dressed in kimonos, standing out among everyone else, in a train, or just walking on the streets, going to some special occasion. I found it quite uncanny to see them in their traditional dress, but with a cellphone hung round their neck, and even Hello Kitty handbags!

Kyoto is very humid and hot in summer, and freezing in winter, so I would suggest coming in Autumn (October/November) or Spring(March/April). They are the most beautiful seasons, and the weather is also nice and mild for exploring around!

My Favorite Places in Kyoto:
*Fushimi Inari Shrine - this shrine is dedicated to the rice god (Inari). There are 10,000 red gates (torii) you can walk through. Many statues of foxes are around this shrine, as they are thought to be the messengers of the rice god.
*Shijo - Shijo Street is a fun place to watch young Japanese people. If you take a walk around the Kamo river at night, you will see fire-dancers, and bongo drummers, and lots of couples sitting around the river. In summer, young people let off fireworks bly the river. There is also a covered shopping arcade nearby, lots and lots of trendy and unique clothes and shoes, and of course souviner shops. If you go there during the day time, there is also a fresh food market (Nishiki-koji markets) connected onto the shopping arcade.
*Tetsugaku no michi - (The Philosopher's Walk) is a lovely walk out of the city all year round, but most beautiful in Autumn and Spring, when the streets are lined with beautiful autumn leaves or cherry blossoms. There are also many shrines with zen gardens to visit along this walk.

I love it how we are always discovering random and strange things in the convienence stores or anywhere. Here's a photo of some canned Oxygen for the tired-out buisness-man who does not get enough oxygen because he sits at his desk all day. You can get Oxygen in Grapefruit scent, Mint, or no-scent!