The city with a population of almost 1.5 million people is quite compact - its area is 828 square kilometers. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides, which can be admired at any time of the year. The picturesque Kamo River snakes through the city. Kyoto is decorated with numerous landscaped gardens.
In the streets of the Gion district, which has preserved its historic appearance, you can still meet charming geisha and their seductive young maiko students rushing to customers. And Kyoto restaurants, even among recognized Japanese gourmets, are famous for exquisite dishes of refined local cuisine.
Excursion "Mysterious Kyoto!"
Tour time: 9:00-17:00
- A stroll through the morning market Nishiki in Kyoto. It sells fish, seafood, seaweed, traditional Japanese clothes and dishes. Not only tourists but also locals come here to shop.
- The super-modern building of Kyoto Station, designed by Japanese architect Koji Hara and put into operation in 1997, has unexpectedly organically blended into the architectural ensemble of the ancient city. This futuristic building, in addition to the station, houses a theater, museum, department store, hotel, many stores, restaurants and cafes, observation decks, even a wedding hall. A giant staircase with 171 steps can be used as an auditorium for concerts.
- Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto. Daigo-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site, is spread out on Mount Daigo-san, and is well known as the "Temple of Flowers". In 874, the Godai Hall was built on top of the mountain by the Buddhist monk Shobo. Later, a garan (main complex), smaller buildings and a five-story pagoda were built at the foot of the mountain. The five-story Goju-no-oto Pagoda is now one of the oldest buildings in Kyoto that survived the Onin War in the 1400s.
- Philosophical path. One of the most beautiful places to admire sakura in Japan! The Philosopher's Path is a stone-paved path stretching from Nanzen-ji Temple to the Silver Pavilion. The trail owes its unusual name to Nishida Kitaro, a famous philosophy professor who is rumored to have meditated daily while walking this route to classes at Kyoto University. The Philosopher's Path runs parallel to a small canal and is approximately two kilometers long. There are many small stores, stores, cafes, and restaurants along the trail. Here you can buy local ginger cookies. Art galleries are located on the right and left sides of the trail.
- Fushimi Inari-Taisya Shrine is located on the picturesque slopes of Mount Inari in Kyoto and is one of the main shrines and attractions of Japan. Inari-taisya is a very ancient structure and is considered the main among 40 thousand temples dedicated to the Goddess of rice and fertility. Inari is one of the most revered goddesses in Japan. Among her incarnations there is an avatar of a fox, because without foxes there will be many rodents in the fields, and therefore there will be no harvest. In myths and legends, kitsune foxes are considered to be very cunning and wise creatures who can take the form of a human.
The temple was built much earlier than Kyoto itself, in 711 in the village of Fushimi. However, the shrine itself was moved here later, in 816, at the request of Master Kukai. At the end of the 15th century, the main building was erected here. The main entrance, as well as the main building, are located at the foot of the hill, in the middle of which is the inner sanctuary, to which hundreds of paths and tracks lead.
Important! It takes at least 1-1.5 h to see Fushimi Inari.
