Japan Travel 2017
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Kyoto Calendar
March 30 (Thu): Explore Kyoto
March 31 (Fri): Explore Kyoto
April 1 (Sat): Explore Kyoto
April 2 (Sun): Open Day! Revisit Osaka, Kyoto, or Nara.
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Actually, not a hotel, but a residence that houses up to eight people. Details of the home are found at this link: Kyoto Home. It's located nearby the Higashiyama District, which is packed with stuff to see. A Google map shows how close we are to Gion, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and other sights (the home is located leftside center).
Kyoto has over 1000 Buddhist Temples, and 400 Shinto Shrines. No way we can see them all. However, some of the popular ones (as noted by tour books and sites) are listed below. We can cross many of them off the list if we book a tour, and we can always revisit the interesting ones! Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). One of the most famous (and crowded) temples. Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavillion). Another beautiful (but crowded) temple. Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine. Ranked by many as the most impressive in Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Great view of Kyoto, with lively vendors. Chion-in Temple (Under Construction). An important temple, nonetheless. Nanzen-ji Temple. Known for their zen garden. Surrounded by sub-temples. Honen-in Temple. A scenic temple with moss and camelias. Tenryu-ji Temple. A popular temple in Arashiyama, next to the Bamboo Grove. Sanjusangen-do. Over 1000 statues housed in the oldest wooden structure in Japan. We'll be in Kyoto just as the cherry blossom season begins (hopefully!). In addition to gardens, a castle, and scenic walks, we could try our luck at spotting geisha in Gion! The only tour I've booked for us so far is the Kyoto Full Day (9 hour) tour (see link below). Please let me know if you're interested in any other tours! It just so happens we'll be in Kyoto during the annual Miyako Odori, where we can see geisha dancing on stage. The festivities start on April 1 (no kidding!). See the attached link {Miyako-Odori} for details. Kyoto Cherry Blossoms: At some locations, the blossoms are illuminated at night! Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: There's no bamboo season, so the grove is green and majestic throughout the year. Located near the Tenryu-ji Temple. Other notable sights in Arashiyama include the Monkey Park, where the snow monkeys can be viewed and fed.
Nijo-jo Castle: Former Shogun residence and Imperial Palace. Gion: Renown as the best place to spot geishas in Japan. Also features Shimbashi street along the Shirakawa canal. Pontocho: An alley of traditional shops and restaurants along one of the most atmospheric areas of Kyoto. Path of Philosophy: A streamside path known for beautiful cherry blossoms and nearby temples. Manga Museum: A huge collection of manga books that can be browsed and read. Unfortunately, most of the collection are in Japanese. Kyoto Full Day Tour: A fulfilling nine hour tour including many of the major Kyoto highlights and the Imperial Palace. Bring your walking shoes! My wish list of Kyoto sights which we will not see on the tour are included here: Other Kyoto Highlights. These sights are categorized by location, to minimize travel time!Gion Night Walk: A 100 minute tour for around $10. What a bargain! Walking Tours: We can do a self guided walking tour, like the Gion Walking Tour, and escorted walking tours ( Chris Rowthorn tours). Another great resource is the Kyoto Travel Guide, which lists upcoming events like the fabulous Cherry Blossom Light-Up at the Nijo-jo Castle. Did you know this castle is only 30 minutes walking distance from our residence? WOW!!! Kyoto seems to offer a large range of shopping venues from huge department stores to covered markets. The one shopping attraction that consistently appears is the Nishiki Market, which appears to be within walking distance from where we're staying! Nishiki Market: Covered market area displaying interesting foods. Ippodo: A tea house, and a good place to buy omiyage. Bic Camera: A huge camera and electronics store just across from the Kyoto station. Other general suggestions for shopping districts from InsideKyoto.com and Japan-Guide.com. |
