Going Solo in Japan (Kyoto - 1)

KYOTO is one of the ancient capitals of Japan. Built in A.D. 794 on the model of the capitals of ancient China. Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from its foundation until the middle of the 19th century.  It served as the imperial capital of Japan for over a millennium, from 794 to 1868, during the Heian period .

I had a wonderful opportunity to see Kyoto at a great depth while in Japan. 

My first visit to Japan was in August 78. ”

Kyoto is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites,

The most popular sites are -

1. Kinkakuji - Golden Temple

2. Ginkakuji - Silver temple. A Zen temple-Also called Higashiyama

3. Kiyomizu-dera - Buddhist temple with  great view of the city are all popular destination.

After that we have gone to Kyoto innumerable times. It is a store house of ancient temples, Shrines and Gardens all over.

Kyoto is my most favourite 'Go To' destination in Japan. I haven't been able to keep a count of how many times I have been there. Whenever we are in Kyoto we visit new attractions and also keep on going back to our favourite places. Though ancient it is still a modern city with a University, and cultural activities. Kyoto is like a crucible of culture. 

While in Maizuru, our apartment had a few big and small guide books  in English and also an atlas  of  road maps in English. That was a great advantage. This helped me to choose new destination. With suggestions from friends we discovered many interesting places. We practically roamed all over the city, and not just once but again and again. 

Geographically it is located in a valley surrounded by mountains on East, West and North. On the south is the Railway line. Kyoto is one city which has highest number of World Heritage sites. If you cross the railway line there are a few more very famous sites. Mountains on North and East also have many unusual attractions.

If I have to write about my favourite destinations in Kyoto I will need to add a map of Kyoto and show this places. It is a store house of ancient temples, Shrines, and Gardens all over. Kyoto is surrounded by hills on East, and North. Along the west flows a river, On the south is the Railway line. 

Later on we had an opportunity to stay in Kyoto every year at least for a week. I was in contact with my good friend from Maizuru, Masako san who was than living in Kyoto. She spoke English fluently. It became a regular program for me to spend a day with her one of her English speaking friend Machiko san. Machiko san lived in Uji but she always joined us for the outings.

There is a long list of places that we saw in Kyoto and around Kyoto.

Temples and Shrines

1. Kinkakuji - Golden Temple. A Zen Buddhist temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf.

Kinkaku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan and a tourist attraction. It is designated as a World Heritage Site .

2. Ginkakuji - Silver temple. A Zen temple-Also called Higashiyama

3. Kiyomizu-dera - Buddhist temple with  great view of the city are all popular destination.

4.  Ryoan-ji - Rock Garden

5. Nanzenji Temple

6. Ninna-ji

7. Daitokuji

8. Daikakuji

9. Enryakuji temple on summit of Mt Hiei over looking city of Kyoto. It was established a decade before Kyoto was established as Capital city.

Besides temples there are many sceinic places and gardens. Very popular are philosopher's walk, Arashiyama , Sagano area, Nijo-jo castle, Kibune - Kurama.

And finally Fushimi Inari Taisha  is one of Japan's most iconic and visited Shinto shrines, located in southern Kyoto. It is renowned for its thousands of bright red torii gates that line the paths up Mount Inari and its deep connection to the Shinto god of rice, agriculture, and business success.