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When folks first consider the idea of a holiday in Japan, their thoughts

usually turn to Tokyo.  Now, there’s not a lot wrong with Tokyo – its

exploding skyscrapers completely contrasting with its sombre temples – but there

is a lot more to Japan than the bright lights of its well known capital. 

Take Kyoto, as an example.  The city is the historic and cultural capital of

Japan – a fine mix of urban stretch and cultural gems.  Indeed, Kyoto was home

to the japanese Imperial family from 794 all the way up to 1868 when the Emperor made a

decision to reposition to Tokyo.  Kyoto is one of the few major japanese

cities to avoid the annihilation of aerial raids during World War two, and except for anything else that makes it an interesting part of any

holiday in Japan. 

what sort of time you need to spend in this extraordinary

city is principally down to your tastes in sightseeing.  Outside of the shopping

and purely commercial sides of the city the main sights are nearly

completely made up of by cultural sights such as Buddhist temples and Zen gardens. 

Due to the quantity of historical and cultural sights, it is so easy to

overdo Kyoto sightseeing if done too fast.  Fortunately , walking from sight to sight

thru the marvelous city tempers this nicely and permits visitors to enjoy the rich

contrasts a japanese vacation in this area can offer.  Still, if you only have

the resources or energy to visit 10 of Kyoto’s cultural and historic treasures,

these are what I’d advocate ( in no special order )

Heian Jungu

This Shinto shrine is famous for having the largest torii in the whole of Japan.  The

shrine was built in 1895 to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto ( previously Heiankyo ), and is

devoted to Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei.  If you should chance to be on holiday in Japan on

October 22nd, you may have the opportunity to see the ‘Festival of Ages’ ( Jidai Matsuri ) which

occurs here and celebrates the moment when Kyoto became Japan’s capital.  The

festival encompasses a massive procession of around two

thousand folk which stretches for several kilometers. 

Gion

Gion is the district of Kyoto known for its geisha homes and is the best area of the

town to see geisha and maiko going about their day to day business.  Gion was built in the

middle ages, but due in part to some areas being announced a countrywide

historic preservation district, some of the design and entertainment remains

like how it was when first established. 

To explain a well-liked misconception – geishas aren’t prostitutes, and

Gion hasn’t ever been a red light district. 

Kinkakuji ( Golden Pavilion church )

The most striking feature of Kinkakuji ( and where it gets its name ) is from the gold leaf

that completely covers the top two tiers of the pavilion.  It is a stunning

site and one that jap vacation makers cannot help but associate with Kyoto.  The

church is placed next to a pool, allowing a sparkling mirror picture of the

structure to be viewed by all who visit, making a dynamic image of a connection

between heaven and earth.  Though the gold leaf covering makes the church

highly valuable, its value isn’t wholly monitory, but also

spiritual : within its walls it houses relics of the Buddha.

Ginkakuji

Listing this right below the Golden Pavilion temple is a touch

misleading, because while the aforementioned church’s golden covering

makes it something of an ostentatious monument, this temple is comparatively minimalist.  The reason

being because while the first plan was to make this temple a silver

accompaniment to its golden cousin, the plan wasn’t carried out and it remains a

delightful example of minimalism and restraint. 

The church itself is a straightforward two-story building, but its

pretty appeal is in the surrounding serenity of the two

gardens.  The first is a pond garden composed of rocks and plants – the target

being to grant a different point of view from each angle.  The second garden includes

2 carefully sculptured sand mounts which offer a feeling of perfect serenity. 

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto’s Imperial Palace ( Kyoto Gosho ) was once the home of Japan’s Imperial family, but when the capital shifted

to Tokyo in 1868, the rulers followed.  The structure has burned down on innumerable occasions and

the present reconstruction was only built in 1855. 

The complicated itself is encased in a long wall and is made of several halls, gardens and

gates.  Though the enthronement rites of Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa were held

inside this palace’s main hall, the prevailing Emperor was inaugurated in the Tokyo

Imperial Palace. 

Kiyomizudera

Kiyomizudera ( or’Pure Water Temple’ ) is one of the most noted temples in Japan with both

tourists and locals.  Set up in 780 by one of the oldest sects in

jap Buddhism ( the Hosso ), the temple is a UNESCO world heritage site. 
located in the wooded hills in eastern Kyoto, the church offers a lovely view

over the city from its wooden patio.  The spring below recounted patio is

claimed to have water with healing properties and is the reason

why the temple has its name. 

Fushimi Inari

Inari is the Shinto god of rice, and foxes are meant to be his messengers.  Because of

this, the Fuhimi Inari shrine is dotted with many fox statues.  The various tori

gates make for a unforgettable experience, but if you can manage it, visiting the

shrine in the evening is a total must – the dim lights and sounds of the wildlife make for a delightfully atmospheric walk thru the shrine’s tori gates. 

Tenryuji temple

Tenryuji temple is regarded the most vital Zen temple in Kyoto,

and the literal interpretation of its name is’heavenly dragon temple’.  The building started

out its life as a private villa of Emperor Go Daigo, and was later converted after his

demise to a temple in his memory.  Legend has it a Buddhist priest had a worried dream where a dragon rose from a brook, making him

believe that Go Daigo’s spirit was uneasy and a temple should be built to appease

him. 

The temple has been damaged by fires a unlikely 8 times, though the last instance was over 150 years back.  As a result, the

existing incarnation of the building is only a hundred years old,

but the garden is one of the oldest in the country, dating from the 14th century. 

Ryoanji temple

The Ryoanji church has been designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.  The name means

‘temple of the peaceful dragon’ and it belongs to the Myoshinki college of the Rinzai

branch of the Zen cult.  The garden itself is perceived as one of the most pure examples of

jap culture.  Perfect in its simplicity, the garden consists of clay walls, raked

sand and 15 rocks.

If you enjoy

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