Kyoto is a city steeped in rich history and cultural heritage, and known as the heart of traditional Japanese culture. Once the capital of Japan for over a thousand years (794–1868), Kyoto is home to numerous ancient temples, shrines, and palaces, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. We did a combination of train/bus rides to reach Kyoto.

Todaiji Temple

On the way to Kyoto, we stopped in the distinctive city of Nara, another former capital of Japan (710–794), to visit Nara’s famous Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Todaiji, “Great Eastern Temple”, was constructed in 752 and is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples.   The Temple’s Daibutsu-den Hall is the largest wooden building in the world and a true feat of engineering.

It is also one of the major historic temples in Japan and contains valuable artifacts like the Daibutsu—an impressive 52-foot Buddha statue, the largest in the world.

Along the approach to Todaiji stands the Nandaimon Gate, a large wooden gate watched over by two fierce looking statues. (national treasures together with the gate itself.)

Another charming feature of its park area is its tame, free-roaming deer herd, traditionally regarded as the messengers of the Shinto god. 

Our guide purchased shika senbei (special biscuits) to feed them so we could become very popular with these lovely creatures! 

Fushimi Inari Shrine

The Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the most iconic and important Shinto shrines in the country. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, fertility, and prosperity, the shrine is renowned for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates, which form winding paths up Mount Inari.

These torii gates, donated by individuals and businesses seeking blessings, create a mesmerizing tunnel-like experience. The shrine’s history dates back to 711 AD, and it remains a powerful symbol of Japanese spirituality and culture.

 This site has a magnificent tunnel of an estimated 10,000 vermillion torii gates which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.  Each gate is donated and identifies the donor and date. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari.

Foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds.

The shrine comprises @32,000 sub-shrines, some of which we walked to.  Lots of steps, all uphill, but we had great weather, and it is a beautiful area. The hike, passing through serene wooded regions and smaller shrines, offers breathtaking views of Kyoto.

Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market is referred to as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” a five-block-long row of shops and restaurants that attracts locals and visitors alike with its fresh produce, seafood, cookware, and more.

We have been to many markets around the world but this one was the cleanest, best organized and most inviting of them all. 

Each display was carefully and artistically designed and vendors were, like all of the Japanese, extremely polite and not at all pushy.  

Kinkakuji Temple

Kinkakuji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with strikingly beautiful architecture.  Also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, it dates from 1397 when it was built by the third shogun (military commander) of the Ashikaga Shogunate as his retirement villa.

The reflection of the pavilion on the water of the adjacent pond produces a one-of-a-kind site for the eyes!  Wow! Wow!!  Emphasis is placed on the building and it’s surrounding gardens being in harmony with one another.  

The top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf!  Additional gold leaf was recently added….40 pounds of it at a cost of @ $7,000,000!  Fortunately, we were there on a sunny day to benefit from the reflection on the water.  We were not able to enter it…just the outside and the beautiful gardens around it were enough, however!

The Life of a Maiko (apprentice Geisha)

This was an interesting evening!

A Maiko is an apprentice geisha.  In Kyoto, maiko (dancing girls) are apprentice geiko (the Kyoto term for geisha), something like an “artist.” 

In Kyoto, which adheres to the strictest traditions of the trade, maiko usually enter at around age 15.  The Maiko we met this evening was 17.  At age 20, she will make a decision to remain or leave.

This young lady was amazingly poised and confident, having already been through 2 years of training by the “mother” of the Okyia (the house where she lives.)

This profession is challenging and takes a lot of self-discipline and sacrifice.  She can visit her family 3 times a year, can not own a cell phone, and can not just go out and walk the streets by herself.  She takes classes all day long.   She will learn the geisha dances, how to perform a tea ceremony, flower arranging, how to wear kimono, and how to play at least one instrument. 

Another thing she learns is games to play with her customers. 

We loved learning about her life……but most of our group went away feeling sorry that she had made this decision at such a young age.

Tenryuji Zen Garden

Arashiyama District is an area in Western Kyoto famous for its scenic beauty and historic artifacts. Today’s discoveries began with Tenryuji Zen Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This garden incorporates a fusion of several elements to achieve its zen atmosphere…..white sand resembling a wave-like pattern, rocks and stones intentionally arranged around an iconic pond, and unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains. Our group just sat and meditated for 10 minutes…..we were lucky to come early in the day before too many tourists had arrived.

Tenryuji Temple was built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takayuki.  

Takauji dedicated the temple to Emperor Go-Daigo, who had just passed away. These two important historic figures used to be allies until Takauji turned against the emperor in a struggle for supremacy over Japan. By building the temple, Takauji intended to appease the former emperor’s spirit.  The monk pictured in the back is the  monk responsible for introducing Zen Buddhism to Japan.

After strolling through the garden, we explored the nearby Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.  This is a mesmerizing grove of thousands of bamboo plants.  A paved walkway runs through the middle.

What an incredible sight!!!  

Nijo Castle Complex

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867). 23 years later his grandson expanded the castle by adding a five-story castle keep (a type of fortified tower built within the castle during the Middle Ages). 

The grounds of the castle span nearly 70 acres and are home to multiple palaces, gardens, and water features.  After the Shogunate fell in 1867, Nijo Castle was used as an imperial palace for a while before being donated to the city and opened up to the public as a historic site.

Its palace buildings are arguably the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture of Japan’s feudal era, and the castle was designated a UNESCO site in 1994. Ninomaru Palace, where the shoguns met with warlords,  holds painted sliding screen doors of Japanese art.

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures of the rich colors and large amounts of gold leaf that depict the flowers, trees, birds, and tigers…so I captured a few pics from the internet. These huge KANO paintings were meant to impress!

The Ninomaru Garden is a traditional Japanese landscape garden with a large pond, ornamental stones, and manicured pine trees.

The entire castle grounds and are surrounded by stone walls and moats.

Kyoto Station Building

A transportation hub does not sound like it should be a tourist attraction.

But stepping into the soaring atrium of this building (15 stories) is like stepping into a world of awe!  In this city of a 1000+ year history,  this site is not traditional Japan……rather futuristic and modern Japan.  It has an exposed steel beam roof called the Matrix which allows wind movement through it and a well-lit underground of first rate restaurants and shops (and lots of well-dressed customers) and a garden in the roof!

We also got a great view of the Kyoto Tower.  It is an observation tower, The tallest structure in the city.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Japanese Tea ceremonies are to prepare, serve and drink tea ritualistically and ceremoniously.  They are used to promote well-being, mindfulness and harmony as well as create a bonding between the host and guest.

The tea room itself was simple, with an entrance lower than the room itself so we could bend over in humility while entering.  An alcove held a scroll.  The host introduced the equipment and how to clean the pieces.
The tea whisk, jar and scoop…the tea itself is a powdered green matcha tea.

The tea whisk is used in the tea bowl to quickly whisk the tea powder.  A pale green foam is formed and settles in the middle of the bowl. 

A sweet is served before the tea and then one drinks the tea from the bowl.  Before drinking, we picked up the bowl with our right hand, put it into our left palm and rotated it 90 degrees with our right hand so the front of the bowl was not facing us anymore.  We took some sips and bowed to express gratitude.  Towards the end of the ceremony, we inspected the bowl to appreciate it, turning it back the 90 degrees to face us again.  Whew!!!!  This is more ceremony than we are used to (or need!!)

Our experience was an abbreviated form of the ceremony…enough to give us a glimpse but not 4 hrs long like they can be.  We were also able to sit on chairs instead of on the floor on tatami mats (since some of us were afraid we would not be able to get up after we got down to the floor!!!). This ceremony is important in Japanese culture because at one time it was practiced only by elite zen monks and noble warlords.  This zen-inspired version of the ceremony is supposed to emphasize simplicity and spirituality.