Kyoto is worth a visit for sure! Then certainly distant and mysterious Japan should become closer and clearer, because Kyoto is the living history of Japan. For more than a thousand years this city was the center of Japanese civilization. Until 1868, it dutifully held the title of capital city, which certainly affected its character and architectural appearance.
The very name "Kyoto" means "capital city". It is also an influential religious center with about 2,000 Buddhist and Shinto temples. Some of them are real gems of architecture and history, included in the UNESCO list of world cultural treasures.
Traditional Kyoto Tour
Tour time: 10:00-18:00
- Kiyomizu-dera (Temple of Pure Water) is named after the crystal clarity of the waterfall flowing down the mountain slope. Its waters are considered curative and many people bathe in them. The unusual appearance of the wooden Buddhist temple surrounded by Japanese maples and sakura trees, which stands on massive columns, remains in the memory forever. At the same time, the construction does not give the impression of monumentality, but organically fits into the picturesque landscape. From the temple veranda opens so breathtakingly beautiful view of the whole city that literally creates the illusion of flight. A road leads to the temple, on both sides of which are small stores selling souvenirs, mostly pottery and porcelain. Here you can also buy fragrant tea and indulge in exotic oriental sweets.
- Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a graceful structure that looks like it is admiring its reflection in the waters of a beautiful pond. From the late 14th century, the pavilion served as a vacation villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who retired and spent the last years of his life here as a recluse. Kinkakuji is a kind of Kyoto's calling card.
- Ryoanji Temple is located near the Golden Pavilion. Built in 1450 by followers of Zen Buddhism, it is literally imbued with Buddhist philosophy. Its quintessential Garden of Stones is a true wonder of the world. It is arranged on a small rectangular area covered with gravel and consists of 15 stones of different sizes, which can be visually combined into 5 groups. It is noteworthy that those who admire the beauty of this unique garden from the veranda of the temple can never see all the stones at once, no matter where the observer is. One can only wonder what the creator of the garden, the monk Soami, a recognized master of Zen meditation, wanted to express with this constructive feature of the garden.
- Nijo Castle. Rivaling the beauty of the imperial palace, the Tokugawa family castle of the Shogun clan is world-famous for the colorful interiors of the state rooms and the singing "nightingale" floors of the connecting galleries. The floors make sounds similar to bird chirping when rubbing against each other. According to the castle builders' plan, the singing floors were supposed to warn anyone who tried to approach the shogun's chambers. It is noteworthy that it was in this castle, designed to demonstrate the power and omnipotence of the Togugawa clan, that the last of its representatives abdicated in 1867 in the presence of Emperor Meiji.
- Geisha Street Guyon. There are a lot of restaurants here Chinese и Italian of the kitchens, and the stalls in the streets of this quarter sell kanzashi (traditional women's hair jewelry), incense and accessories for kimono. Most of the buildings here are wooden tea houses, often rebuilt inside, but a few streets offer modern entertainment venues. Gion remains the most prestigious and famous place to see traditional culture blended with modern fashions.
- Sanjusangendo - A temple that is famous for housing 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. The temple was founded in 1165 and rebuilt a century later after the original structure burned down in a fire. The temple hall is 120 meters long, making it the longest wooden structure in Japan. In the center of the main hall is a large wooden statue of the thousand-armed Kannon (Senju Kannon), flanked on either side by 500 human-sized Kannon statues lined up in ten rows. Together they make a lasting impression, especially when you know that among them is the one and only....
