To do while in Kyoto
This amazing city has so much to offer, it’s often difficult to make a choice. Of course, most visitors to Kyoto will spend their time enjoying the various temples and shrines and their gardens, but there is more, much more. Here are a few suggestions that we hope you’ll find useful.
Shopping in Kyoto
Shopping is one of the pleasures of being on holiday. Products that you can use on an everyday basis while also feeling the atmosphere of Kyoto make perfect gifts for yourself and for others. Take the feeling of Kyoto home with you!
Hirano Jinja, a Favorite Hanami Spot
Hirano Jinja (Shrine) is a very old Shinto shrine — established in the year 794. It is among the most popular spots in Kyoto among Japanese people for its gardens and numerous cherry trees, for viewing the flowers, singing and drinking.
The Philosopher’s Path
The Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道, Tetsugaku no michi) is a pleasant stone path through the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. The path follows a canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees.
Rickshaw Tour
How about a Rickshaw Tour around one of the numerous touristic spots of the city? I’ve seen them around a few times and always thought we too should try that. It does look like fun and a great way to look around spots such as Arashiyama, Kodaiji or Miyagawa-Cho.
Nishiki Market – the Kyoto Kitchen
Simply the best traditional food market in the city. When you’re starting to feel tired about visiting temples, this is a highly recommended visit for all.
Light Show at the Shoren-In Temple
Shoren-In is certainly not one of the main temples around, but it really is a very nice one and has undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in Kyoto. This is not a mere lighting up of the garden, but it is an actual light show.
Plum blossoms at the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
While most people think “Cherry Blossom” when considering the Hanami season, it actually starts with the plum blossoms around the end of February. This is, a few weeks before the cherry blossoms, the actual beginning of spring in Kyoto.
Hanami – Flower Viewing
Hanami (lit. “flower viewing”) is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers. “Flower” in this case almost always means cherry blossoms (“sakura”). From the middle of March to early May, the Japanese people …
Hina Matsuri and Japanese Dolls
Hina Matsuri, also called Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day, is a special day celebrated each year on March 3 in Japan. Platforms covered with a red carpet are used to display a set of ornamental dolls (Hina-Ningyō) representing the Emperor, Empress, …
Kyoto Marathon 2015
As our architect and friend, Mr. Y participated to this year marathon, we decided to go to support him. The meeting spot (with other friends) was set at kilometer 30 along the Kamogawa river.
Kyoto under snow
Waking up early on Sunday, we discovered the city under snow. This doesn’t happen so often in Kyoto so no hesitation — we called a taxi and went to visit various temples, South (Fushimi Inari Taisha, To-Ji), North-West (Kinkaku-Ji, Genko-An) and North-East (Ginkaku-Ji).
Tenjin-san Market, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
If you’re in Kyoto on the 25th of every month, be sure to attend the “Tenjin-san” flea market. It is held at the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. As many as 1000 stalls line up on the shrine precincts as well as in the area around the shrine.
Kobo-san Market at To-Ji Temple
If you’re in Kyoto on the 21st day of any month, be sure to visit the Kobo-San market taking place in the grounds of the To-Ji Temple. It is a great opportunity to find interesting souvenir and enjoy popular Japanese foodstuff.
Ohmato Taikai at the Sanjūsangen-dō Temple
Sanjūsangen-dō Temple in Kyoto has always attracted Kyudo (Japanese archery) enthusiasts. The original competition, called Tōshiya, started in 1606 and since this, an annual Kyudo contest has been held at the Temple.
Shogatsu at the Chion-In Temple
Like in any other country in the world, December 31st is a special day in Japan. Lots of things happen from Midnight on, as the Japanese people observe the O-Shogatsu.
Portrait of a Maiko, Kyoto
Looking at the picture, our first though is “Geisha”, one of the icon images of Japan.
A Maiko is actually an apprentice Geisha or Geiko (as they are called in Kyoto). Their job consists in performing songs,
Kiyomizu Dera in Autumn
Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), officially Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺) is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is a Must-See UNESCO World Heritage site.
