Kyoto
As the ancient and spiritual capital of Japan, Kyoto affords visitors a microcosmic view of the country as a whole. Like hustling, bustling Tokyo, there are parts of the city that resemble any other Japanese metropolis, especially the downtown area. You will find a throng of huge department stores in the vicinity of Shijo, a congregation of fine hotels around Kyoto Tower (pictured here), and exciting nightlife and entertainment spots at Pontocho in the Gion district.
However, there is an important historical fact that sets Kyoto apart from other urban centers: It was never bombed during World War II. For this reason, it is possible to wander the older streets of the city and get a good idea of how life used to be in the medieval days of artisans and courtiers, merchants and samurai. You can still find streets lined entirely with wooden buildings--in the weaving district of Nishijin, for example. Some of these structures are more than 100 years old, which may seem somewhat surprising considering the susceptibility of such buildings to the dangers of fire, earthquakes and modernization, not to mention the ephemeral qualities that Japanese culture considers a strength, even in architecture. No nails were used in the construction of many of these relics of the past!
Longevity of a different kind can be found in the great Buddhist temples of the city, especially at the internationally famousGinkakuji and Kinkakuji. The latter was made even more famous by author-playwright Yukio Mishima, and you may wish to read his novel, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion before visiting. Other must-see attractions in Kyoto are Nishi Honganji and Higashi Honganji near Kyoto Station, Nanzenji to the east and Daitoku-Ji to the north. These are functioning temples that play an important part in the fabric of today\'s society. You might just encounter a Buddhist ceremony or festival here.
It is to see these sights, principally, that visitors come from around the globe. Kyoto has been acclaimed as the second most-visited city on earth after Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Some 40 million visitors descend on the city each year. Yet, it is not difficult to escape the crowds and have a rewarding time in an out-of-the-way temple or shrine. After all, there are some 2,000 of them to choose from! Even Kyotoites themselves will pop into a shrine or temple now and then to pray or simply relax for a few minutes before continuing with their shopping, studies, business, and life\'s more mundane tasks.
These historic and religious venues with their fascinating gardens and artifacts are not the only places where you can experience traditional Kyoto. Vestiges of the past are also to be found in local products, such as damascene, cloisonné and ceramics. You will find excellent souvenirs in locally produced combs, knives, fans and incense, kimono, woodblock prints and hand-made paper. These can be readily found in stores throughout the city, and particularly at shops between Karamasu and Kawaramachi at the approach to the old Floating World district of the city.Yakata Antiques, for example, carries many of these items at its location in Gion\'s antiques quarter.
Ancient customs can also be experienced at Japanese lodgings, like the elegantHiiragi-ya. You can travel back in time with local food and drink: sake, tofu, noodles, confectionery, vegetarian temple food, or the delicate flavors of the famous seasonal Kyoto cuisine called kyoryori. And be sure not to miss tradition as it walks the streets in the form of geisha (properly called geiko in Kyoto), or the occasional kimono-clad housewife. Kyoto people are conservative, indeed: One is not thought of as a local Kyotoite unless one\'s family has been living in the city for at least three generations!
The above notwithstanding, Kyoto also concerns itself with things modern. It is the home of world-renowned manufacturers like Nintendo and Kyocera. It is also considered one of the top up-and-coming cyber-sites in the world, according to Wired magazine. The modern arts scene is vibrant, and, as far as music is concerned, many people refer to it as "the new Bristol." Experience this renaissance city for yourself and see if you do not agree.
If you are like most visitors, you will probably plan to visit Kyoto during cherry-blossom season in April, or at the end of November to see the spectacular colors of the autumn leaves. But it really doesn\'t matter which season you come. The rainy season in June is considered the best time to view the mosses atSaihoji (Kokedera). The stepped approaches to Kiyomizudera are also thought to look best in the rain. The end of July and August can get pretty muggy but you will be rewarded with sparse crowds at the more famous tourist spots. The beer gardens are also open at this time, as are the decks outside the restaurants overlooking the Kamo River, which cuts through the very heart of town. And in the cold winter months of January and February, you will be able to attend the Yoshida Shrine Setsubun Festival and see the camellias in bloom at Honen-in and other gardens around the city.
So Kyoto is a unique amalgam of both the modern and the traditional. Treat yourself with a visit to this most Japanese of Japanese cities.
However, there is an important historical fact that sets Kyoto apart from other urban centers: It was never bombed during World War II. For this reason, it is possible to wander the older streets of the city and get a good idea of how life used to be in the medieval days of artisans and courtiers, merchants and samurai. You can still find streets lined entirely with wooden buildings--in the weaving district of Nishijin, for example. Some of these structures are more than 100 years old, which may seem somewhat surprising considering the susceptibility of such buildings to the dangers of fire, earthquakes and modernization, not to mention the ephemeral qualities that Japanese culture considers a strength, even in architecture. No nails were used in the construction of many of these relics of the past!
Longevity of a different kind can be found in the great Buddhist temples of the city, especially at the internationally famous
It is to see these sights, principally, that visitors come from around the globe. Kyoto has been acclaimed as the second most-visited city on earth after Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Some 40 million visitors descend on the city each year. Yet, it is not difficult to escape the crowds and have a rewarding time in an out-of-the-way temple or shrine. After all, there are some 2,000 of them to choose from! Even Kyotoites themselves will pop into a shrine or temple now and then to pray or simply relax for a few minutes before continuing with their shopping, studies, business, and life\'s more mundane tasks.
These historic and religious venues with their fascinating gardens and artifacts are not the only places where you can experience traditional Kyoto. Vestiges of the past are also to be found in local products, such as damascene, cloisonné and ceramics. You will find excellent souvenirs in locally produced combs, knives, fans and incense, kimono, woodblock prints and hand-made paper. These can be readily found in stores throughout the city, and particularly at shops between Karamasu and Kawaramachi at the approach to the old Floating World district of the city.
Ancient customs can also be experienced at Japanese lodgings, like the elegant
The above notwithstanding, Kyoto also concerns itself with things modern. It is the home of world-renowned manufacturers like Nintendo and Kyocera. It is also considered one of the top up-and-coming cyber-sites in the world, according to Wired magazine. The modern arts scene is vibrant, and, as far as music is concerned, many people refer to it as "the new Bristol." Experience this renaissance city for yourself and see if you do not agree.
If you are like most visitors, you will probably plan to visit Kyoto during cherry-blossom season in April, or at the end of November to see the spectacular colors of the autumn leaves. But it really doesn\'t matter which season you come. The rainy season in June is considered the best time to view the mosses at
So Kyoto is a unique amalgam of both the modern and the traditional. Treat yourself with a visit to this most Japanese of Japanese cities.
