"Kyoto vs Tokyo (Same letters but boggled)" Top 5 Page for this destination Kyoto Travelogue by joiwatani

When you look at the tourism advertisements of Japan worldwide, you see the Toji Temple as the emblem of their tourism. If not the Mt. Fuji, a Japanese in Kimono dress, or if not, it's the Toji Temple.

Toji Temple is Japan's national treasure, a National Heritage. The grounds of Toji Temple is very spacious and make sure that you have half-a day to explore all the buildings inside the temples' court.

In the court, you will also find a shop where you can buy key chain, postcards, books, pictures, etc. It's basically for visitors. There is also a place to worship. Local visitors come here to worship so make sure to be quiet when you enter a temple.

Picture-taking is prohibited inside the temple so make sure to respect that.

There are photographers inside the court (they usually have prominent red umbrellas as a prop and they charge a lot of money). You can take good pictures once you are close to the pond where you can see the whole Toji Temple (just like in my picture here). It is a photographer's paradise. I took a lot of picture at Toji temple. I also enjoyed the Koi fish in the pond. They are huge and very beautiful!

"I love Kyoto!" mural at the Kyoto Mall

This mural is located at the Kyoto Mall.

The Kinkakuji Temple

There are so many things to see in Kyoto. I wanted to go back over there but on a different season. I was there in November of 2007 which was the Fall Season. The colors of the city is different. I was told that it is also good to visit Kyoto in the Spring Time when all the flowers are in bloom specially the cherry blossoms. I wanted to experience the festivals in Kyoto City that's why I still wanted to go back and explore more of the city. Maybe in a couple of years when my children are not in school and when I have more planning done.

When you visit Kyoto, make sure that you have everything packed specially a Japanese dictionary with the translation of your own language. Believe me, it is difficult when you don't understand a single Japanese word and read a single Hiragana or Katakana. I kind of laugh now as I watched the movie "Lost in Translation".

Since most of the temples in Kyoto are located on top of hills, make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and bring a light backpack for your water bottle and snacks! There's a lot of walking involved. I think I lost 14 lbs for the two weeks I was in Japan! That was a remarkable weight loss because of the forced brisk-walking involved!

When you go back to your own home, you will realize that you went to a different world- an old city mixed with the new technology. And, also wonder how in the world the people in the old days built all those temples! Until now, I am amazed how the Japanese people preserved their old temples and how they truly respect their own culture and traditions despite their advancement in technology...

Japan is a truly beautiful country and the people are very polite and courteous! Domo arigato! (Thank You!)

I was struggling to go uphill!

There are so many tourists here. It is really difficult to find a place where you can take a great picture of the temple because there were hundreds of visitors going to this temple. It's kind of noisy, too!

The Sandusandengo Temple

The temple is beautiful what with the color of the building. I was fascinated by it's huge ornate doors. If you visit the Kyoto National Art Museum, you might as well put time in going to this temple beause it is across the street from the museum.

The Matchmaking Temple

I scheduled my visit to this temple at the end of our day trip. We were told that we should go to the temple around 4 pm so then by the time that we get out from the temple, it is time for the temple keepers to light all the hanging lamps! It was a spectacular sight at the end of our day!

One of the oldest Temple in Japan%*

Again, going to the Kiyumizadara Temple and enjoying it - must have at least half a day just walking and not just cruising. You have to take time and explore all the structures in the temple. I think, if I were to go back, I will take more time just observing and exploring the place. I will go to each building and actually go inside the building...I will take time to observe how the local people worship or notice their traditions in going to the temples...like how they light the incense, how they clap their hands while worshipping, bowing their heads, etc.

The San Temple

I love the gardens of this temple. The temple is not as beautiful as te rest of the temples in Kyoto but the gardens are absolutely gorgeous. The walk going to the temple is breathtaking! I love the bamboos line up going down the hill. I also love the natural beauty of nature - the fauna and foliage in the temple garden is handsomely landscaped!

The stepping stones on the walk-ways are marvelous, too. You don't feel your tiredness when you walk up hill and downhill! I pause every now and then and take a deep breath.