Traditional japan - kyoto city. Landmarks of Kyoto, the ancient capital of the Land of the Rising Sun

Traditional Japan - Kyoto City

Travel + Leisure recently published the results of its "World's Best" poll, in which thousands of readers rank hotels, islands, airlines and cities from around the world. This year, for the second time in a row, travelers have chosen the Japanese city of Kyoto as the best in the world.
Kyoto has been the imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years. The city has many temples, parks and markets that attract tourists from all over the world. These photos show why Kyoto was named the best city peace. And twice!

Kyoto is one of largest cities Japan. From 794 to 1869 it was the capital of Japan, the main residence of the emperor. The old name is Heian.

Kyoto is home to many incredible temples, such as Byodo-in, a Buddhist temple listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Byodo-in is a Buddhist temple in the city of Uji near Kyoto. If you have a Japanese ¥10 coin, you may notice the temple depicted on it. It is this side that is obverse on the coin. The beautiful temple in the middle of the pond is specially named Phoenix Hall (two phoenixes on the roof), which is the symbol of Byodo-in.

One of the most delightful temples is the 14th-century Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) with its gleaming golden façade reflected in the lake on which the temple stands.

Takao is a sparsely populated highland area near Kyoto, known for its temples and unforgettable fall colors.
The most famous objects in Takao are the temples of Kozan-ji, Jingo-ji, Saimyo-ji

Hikers love the thousands of bright red torii (temple gates) that stretch nearly 4km up the mountain to the main Fushimi Inari Shrine. Inari is considered the patron of business, so all these gates were built with the funds of some Japanese enterprise.

Fushimi Inari's main object - Temple Gate - Torii

In front of the temples, visitors usually take a bath

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the most famous of the several thousand shrines in Japan. It is dedicated to the passage of Inari through the country. Inari is the Shinto god of rice. The Japanese believe that foxes are his messengers. Therefore, many statues of foxes are installed in the shrines of Inari.
Fushimi Inari Shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period. And from 1871 to 1946, the government actively supported him.
The earliest buildings on Inariyama Hill appeared in 711. But the sanctuary was moved here in 816 at the request of the monk Kukai. In 1499 the main building was built. At the bottom of the hill are the main gate and the main building. Behind them, in the middle of the mountain, is an inner shrine to which a thousand paths lead. Tens of thousands of mounds for worship lead to the top of the mountain.
Foxes are regarded as messengers and frequent the Inari Shrines. One feature - in their teeth is the key to the granary. Unlike most other Shinto shrines, in Fushimi Inari taisha, an object of worship is open for free viewing. Japanese New Year millions of visitors come here (more than 2.5 million people visit here in 3 days).

main attraction Fushimi Inari

monk

The whole complex is located on the mountain and it will take at least half a day to visit it.

It's crowded here on the weekend

exhibition of lamp industry achievements

Those who watched the film "Memoirs of a Geisha" are familiar with this place from one of the episodes of the film.

Nishiki Market, also known as Kyoto's Kitchen, is a 400-year-old market that spans five blocks. Here you will find over a hundred shops and restaurants. This is a real storehouse of rare delicacies and unusual products.
For example, here you can find octopuses stuffed with quail eggs. Many stores offer free tastings, so come hungry.

Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms and Kyoto is full of these wonderful trees.

The Hanami spring festivals in Maruyama Park are especially delightful.

Maruyama Koen Park
Among the top ten famous cherry blossom gardens in Japan, the most beautiful is Maruyama-Koen Park in Kyoto. Next to it are the famous temples of the Higashiyama area: Kodai-ji, Shoren-ji, Yasaka-jinja, Chion-in, as well as the Gion geisha quarter, which is very attractive for photographers.
There are especially many visitors here in April, when the cherry begins to bloom. This is the time of the national holiday of hanami - admiring the sakura. And Maruyama-Koen Park is the place for the Hatsumoze ceremony, which is held in honor of the New Year.
This garden appeared in the ancient Japanese capital in 1886. It is the first of the parks on the island, which was planned partly according to European models. But still there is more Japan than Europe.
Among the cherries and other trees, tea houses come across every minute. In the center of the park is Chisen Kaiyu Garden. Mandatory details of this traditional style: paths, ponds, waterfalls, streams, small rocky hills.

The old district of Gion is the heart of the city. At the eastern end of Gion, beyond the grounds of the Yasaka Jinja Temple, on the slopes of one of the Higashiyama hills, Maruyama Park begins. Opened in 1886, it is the oldest western-looking public park in Kyoto. Western Maruyama Park is purely formal, there are many tea houses, in the center there is a Japanese landscaped garden with paths, ponds, streams and waterfalls.
Few things compare to the spectacle of cherry blossoms and falling. The weeping of the cherry tree attracts thousands of Japanese. Admiring sakura flowers is associated among the Japanese with thoughts about the frailty and transience of all things. The dripping sakura is the weeping of the cherry tree, it makes an indelible impression

Yasaka Shrine, or Gion-san, is located in eastern Kyoto, next to Maruyama Park. The shrine is dedicated to Susanoo (brother of the great goddess Amaterasu) to his wife Inadahime-no-Mikoto and their offspring.
Susanoo is the patron saint of medicine; in 869, thousands of people turned to the deity with requests to save them from a terrible epidemic and solemnly carried mikoshi through all the streets of the city, trying to pacify the kami. This incident was most likely the starting point for the emergence of the Gion Matsuri.
One of the wonders of the Yasaka shrine is the huge, bright red, lacquered, luxurious, two-story gate (ro-mon). During the Onin War (1467-77), the first gate burned to the ground. In 1489 they were restored, and later recognized as an important cultural asset. They say that even spiders cannot weave nets on the gates, and when it rains, not a single drop remains on them.
The first shrine was built in 656 before the capital moved from Nara to Kyoto. In 1654, the fourth shogun of Japan restored the shrine.

Autumn in Kyoto is no less stunning.

To admire autumn foliage in all its glory, head down the Oi River to the Arashiyama area.

The Sagano Bamboo Forest is a picturesque alley of thousands of soaring bamboo trees, lined up in even rows as if at attention. One of the most amazing natural attractions in Japan is located on the western outskirts of the city of Kyoto in Arashiyama Park. The place gained great popularity not only due to its extraordinary beauty, but also due to the special sound resulting from the contact of the wind with slender bamboo stems. Visitors to the Sagano Forest claim that this sound, vaguely reminiscent of music, has an extremely calming effect and envelops a sense of harmony. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Japanese government has listed the sounds of the Sagano Bamboo Grove as one of the country's 100 protected attractions.

And you can take a picture of Mount Fuji while traveling on the Shinkansen train (bullet train). By the way, it accelerates to 321 km / h.

Every dish in Kyoto is a work of art. And Kyo-ryori (“Kyoto cuisine”) is generally a whole culture of eating, which includes small portions of food laid out on beautiful seasonal plates.

Also in Kyoto there are many amazing natural places, such as the Arashiyama bamboo grove of unearthly beauty. It is famous not only for its dense bamboo thickets, but also for the creaky sounds that are heard here.

Geisha Encounters Are Common on the Streets of Kyoto
Especially in Gion, one of the few geisha areas left in Japan. Winding streets with old wooden buildings remind of old Kyoto and are literally full of traditional tea houses and exclusive restaurants.

There are practically no streets in Kyoto where there is nothing to see.

Kyoto- a city in Japan, located in the central part of the island of Honshu. For most people who have not visited Japan, Kyoto is synonymous with traditional Japanese culture. Ancient temples, imperial palaces, wooden huts, geisha elegantly pouring tea during the tea ceremony, and cherry blossom branches fluttering in the wind are immediately presented. In fact, in Kyoto you will find all this and much more, despite the fact that Kyoto is a huge modern city with a population of 1.5 million people.

Basic moments

Kyoto is the national center for traditional practices such as chado (tea ceremony) and ikebana (flower arrangement), the birthplace of kabuki and a leading center for calligraphy, painting and sculpture.

The city plays a unique role in preserving the Japanese national identity and is estimated to be visited by a third of the country's population every year. Despite this, Kyoto is a surprisingly typical modern city in Japan, with its usual shapeless concrete buildings, side by side with noteworthy islands of beauty and culture.

For a thousand years, Kyoto has been the cultural and spiritual center of Japanese civilization, the seat of deeply revered emperors since the end of the 8th century. until the Meiji Restoration at the end of the 19th century. Initially, the emperors moved their capital to Kyoto in order to get out from under the growing influence of the Buddhist elite in Nara. For a short time, the new capital even had a virtual ban on the construction of Buddhist temples. Ironically, the city is now world famous for its temples.

The name of the city is translated as "capital", although it was originally called Heiankyo, which means "capital of tranquility", since that is how the golden era of Heian, which lasted from the 8th to the 12th centuries, was called "calm". During this period, Kyoto flourished as the center of Japanese culture and creativity. However, his fate changed dramatically in the era of the Warring States (1467-1568) , which ended in the 16th century. association of commanders Nobunaga and Hideyoshi.

By and large, the city never recovered from the consequences adopted by Hideyoshi at the beginning of the 17th century. decision to move the capital to Edo (current Tokyo). An additional blow came in 1868 when the court moved to Tokyo, which was decided by the young Emperor Meiji. And yet the city has remained the custodian of the most outstanding cultural achievements of the nation and its architectural heritage.

Kyoto Imperial Residences The Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace and the Katsura and Sugakuin Imperial Villas are a must-see for anyone with even the slightest interest in Japanese architecture, design and aesthetics. However, since all these objects remain the property of the emperor, it is necessary to inquire about the possibility of visiting them at the local branch of the Imperial Court Administration, which manages all the nuances of the life and daily routine of the imperial family. The branch is located on the palace grounds, directly south of Imadegawa-dori. The minimum age to apply to visit is 18 years old and a passport will be required. Reservations can also be made at the Internet address: http://sankan. kunaicho.go.jp.

The fire destroyed the first Imperial Palace of the 8th century, and the existing building is its reconstruction of the 19th century. Behind the western gate of Seishomon is the Shishinden State Hall, where the enthronement ceremonies of emperors are held. (Kyoto retained this privilege) and New Year's Eve. To the west stands Emperor Seiryoden's private chapel built of cypress wood. ("The room of calm and coolness"), which is really calm and cool and decorated in red, white and black.

If you can see just one of the imperial villas, choose Katsura, a must-see attraction in the city. Masterfully designed and executed, the estate is one of Japan's masterpieces of exquisite residential architecture and landscape design. All of the walls in each of the villa's seven pavilions are movable and can be removed to open up views of the surrounding landscape, including the villa's private garden and the Arashiyama Hills beyond.

Villa Sugakuin is located at the foot of the sacred Mount Hiei. The vast territory is a magnificent example of a garden "for walking" (such gardens were popular during the Edo period). Built in the 17th century. shogun for the abdicated emperor Sugakuin is, in fact, three villas, each with graceful tea houses scattered around the garden. The upper villa - the largest of the three - crowns a wonderful alley framed by pine trees.

City exploration

Kyoto is a surprisingly large city. Since numerous attractions are evenly distributed throughout its territory, you will need good map. The city has two metro lines, several small private rail lines and an extensive network. bus routes. If you do not want to use expensive taxis, also get a map of the bus routes, which can be obtained from the tourist information offices at Kyoto Station and at any JNTO office. However, given that there are more than 1,500 Buddhist temples, 200 Shinto shrines, many museums and majestic imperial palaces, you still won't be able to see them all.

Try to get your hands on the issue of "Kyoto Visitor's Guide" - a free glossy monthly with a repertoire of cultural events and information about temples, gardens, holidays, exhibitions, restaurants, and even accommodation options. When exploring the city, you should definitely be guided by the principle "better less, Yes, it’s better” and set yourself the optimal pace.

Higashiyama

Higashiyama in the eastern part of the city has temples, theatres, museums and parks and is a good starting point for exploring the city on foot.

Kiyomizu Shrine, one of the oldest in Kyoto, is so popular that on Sundays it is as crowded as the Kyoto subway during peak hours. But don't let that discourage you. The temple was founded in 788, shortly before the city entered its golden age as the imperial capital, and its many buildings are picturesquely sculpted into the steep slope of Mount Higashiyama, descending from it in a cascade of thatched and tiled roofs. However, most of what you see now is made in the 17th century. reconstruction of the original buildings of the 8th century. The complex occupies a vast area, and its main attraction is the hondo (main hall). Its terrace protruding beyond the perimeter of the building and floating high above the slope is supported by a lattice structure consisting of 139 interconnected massive beams. There is another terrace nearby on the slope, from which members of the imperial court and members of the nobility enjoyed dancing and music performed on the wide terrace of the hondo. By the way, the popular expression "to jump from the terrace of Kiyomizu" means to take a bold and risky step.

From the main hall, steps lead down to Otova-no-taki - a waterfall where visitors drink water from a source, which, as they say, has many healing properties, and in the eyes of true believers - and truly divine power. A short walk will take you to a small pagoda on the opposite side of the valley, which overlooks the entire temple complex.

Crowds of people flock to Kiyomizu to admire the lush and delicate cherry blossoms in the spring, the riot of maple colors in the fall, and special lighting effects in the evenings. (check the days and hours at any tourist office).

From the temple, you can walk to the Gion Higashiyama area, the city's main center of traditional theatre, arts, and now antiquities. It is especially famous as the last training center for the most famous residents of the city - geishas. It's a good place to take a walk, soaking up the sights and sounds of Kyoto's secluded quarter, which remains committed to traditional arts and entertainment. For your curiosity and patience, you will probably be rewarded with a chance encounter with a real geisha or maiko. (geisha apprentice) hurried to a meeting or class, you can hear the many layers of her magnificent - and unimaginably heavy - silk kimono rustling as they do so.

Gion is a magnet for collectors and sellers of Japanese antiques from all over the world. Prices are usually high, but even if you don't intend to part with a significant amount, it's fun to just look at the treasures on offer, get a true taste of traditional Japanese design and aesthetics. Some shops are more like small museums, offering exclusive pieces of genuine art.

Appeared in the XVII century. Minamiza theater - the oldest in Japan - in December brings to the attention of the audience the famous staging of the kabuki theater "Kaomise". Foreign viewers from March to November can touch the traditional art by watching the Gion Corner performance in Yasaka Hall, made up of tiny pearls of Japanese national culture. In a cozy little hall, you will be introduced to the tea ceremony, traditional music and dance, the art of flower arranging, puppet theater and kyogen farce in 1 hour. Tickets for Gion Corner can usually be purchased through the hotel where you are staying and at the Tourist Information Centre.

In the northeastern part of Gion, Maruyama Park is one of the most popular recreational areas in Kyoto, famous for the amazing cherry blossoms in early April. The park is bordered by two important temples. Massive Chioninji Temple of the Buddhist Jodo Sect ("Pure Land"), in the XII century. preaching Buddhism among the uneducated population. Rising to a height of 24 m, the gates of the temple are considered the largest structure of this type in the world. By ringing the Chioninji bell - the largest and most famous in Japan - the monks announce the coming of the New Year, and this ringing is broadcast throughout the country.

A huge arch spanning the main road (torii) announces the approach to the Heian Shrine. The site is notable for its distinctly tangible Chinese design influences and a vast landscaped park, considered one of the most beautiful in Kyoto, with numerous cherry trees and a large pond with an elegant pagoda connected to the shore by a covered bridge. Nearby are two interesting museums, revealing in their expositions rich history Kyoto as a place where the best artisans of the country flocked. Museum of Traditional Crafts (daily 9.00-17.00) presents a diverse collection of textiles, porcelain, fans, dolls, lacquerware, cutlery and furniture. On weekends and on national holidays, those who wish can participate in the work of art studios and workshops. At the nearby National Museum of Modern Art (Tue-Sun 9.30-17.00; www.momak.go.jp), despite the name, the main place is occupied by ceramics of the XIX-XX centuries.

Before heading to the Silver Pavilion, you might want to take a look at the quieter temple gardens at the foot of the eastern hills on the northern stretch. Short walk from Shugakuin-michi bus stop (route number 5) or station of the same name railway Eizan will lead you to Munsuin, a delightfully quiet Tendai temple dating back to 1656. Maple and cherry trees frame an immaculate, manicured sand and gravel garden. Heading south through a pleasant residential area, you will find yourself at the narrow bamboo entrance to Shisendo, a rural-style hut with adjoining karen-sansui. (dry landscaped garden) surrounded by azaleas, maples and persimmons. Nearby is another temple often overlooked by tourists - Kompukuji. And again a dry landscaped garden with a wall of azaleas. The temple is affiliated with the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, but also has literary associations, as it is associated with the names of two of Japan's greatest masters of haiku poetry, Basho and Buson.

Along the northern border of Higashiyama, there is a short route that allows one of the most famous and delightful walks in the country. The Philosopher's Path, named after the Japanese philosopher Nishida Kitaro, is about 2 km long and winds along a narrow canal that connects two major temples, Nanzenji and Ginkakuji. In spite of big number who come to admire spring bloom and stunning shades of autumn foliage, the Philosopher's Path attracts with its silence and solitude. Any of the hospitable little tea houses on your way, any coffee shop will become perfect place for relax.

Nanzenji is a palace of the 13th century, on the territory of which there are currently a good dozen related temples and monasteries. The powerful gate of the main entrance was erected in 1628 and is known as the place where the robber Goemon was boiled alive in an iron cauldron. At the same time, he held his son in his raised arms so that he would not suffer the same fate. Since then, old-fashioned Japanese iron bathtubs have been called gloomily - "goemonburo". The view from the height of this 30-meter gate allows you to take in the sight of the complex and the sacred Mount Hiei in the north. A unique feature of the place is the presence behind the main buildings of a large red brick aqueduct, which now delivers water from Lake Biwa. Locals like to walk along the aqueduct.

A short walk west of Nanzenji is Murin-an, a classic private villa with stunning landscaped parkland and wonderful views of the hills to the northeast.

Also not far from Nanzenji, nestled on a hillside is the magnificent Eikan-do temple with a beautiful statue of Amida Buddha looking over his shoulder, which is unusual. The strange pose is reminiscent of the legendary statue that came to life and scolded the stunned monk Eikan for pauses in ritual chants. Each autumn, special lighting is turned on in the evenings, illuminating the numerous maple trees and highlighting the bright colors of the withering foliage with strategically placed spotlights. The effect is amazing, and the experience is completely unforgettable.

At the opposite end of the canal is the second significant temple on the walk route - Ginkakuji (daily mid-March - November 8.30-17.00, December - mid-March 9.00-16.30), the famous Silver Pavilion, which was never lined with silver, as originally planned. It was built in the 15th century. esthete and mystic shogun Yoshimasa Ashikaga, who used the pavilion for esoteric tea ceremonies, and primarily for contemplation of the moon in his elegant garden. The flat-topped white gravel mound, despite the inevitable comparison to Fujiyama, was originally a pile of sand left over from the construction of the temple.

From here it is not far by bus to Kyoto National Museum (Tue-Sun 9.30-17.00, Fri 9.30-18.00), which houses the country's largest collection of Japanese sculpture and painting, as well as weapons, traditional armor and costumes from the past ten centuries, including several dazzling theater costumes but with masks. Most of the unparalleled collection was collected from the temples and palaces of Kyoto, Nara and other significant cultural centers.

Directly south of the Kyoto National Museum stands the spectacular Sanjusangendo. ("Hall of 33 spans"). The original temple, built in 1164, lasted only 100 years, and the current reconstruction dates from the 13th century. The highlight of the exposition is a gilded wooden statue of a seated Kannon bodhisattva, 3.3 m high, with 11 crowned faces and 40 arms (although the statue is called "thousand-handed"), in which Kannon holds bells, wheels and lotus flowers. And yet, the main treasure of Sanjusangendo is a legion of 1000 gilded images of the same Kannon, surrounding a gilded Buddha statue. Identical statues were carved by masters of the 13th century. Kokei, Unkei and Tankei, who were assisted by 70 artisans.

Yukio and Kita

Nestled in the northwestern part of Kyoto Ryoanji (March - November 8.00-17.00, December - February 8.30-16.30; www.ryoanji.jp)- the most famous of all Zen Buddhist temples. His famous rock garden has generated more debate - both positive and negative - than the gravel on his 10m x 30m rectangular area. raked white gravel. Although the creation of the garden is usually attributed to the great master Soami, no one knows for sure who (and why) created it. The mystery surrounding the appearance of the garden does not detract from the power of its simplicity. Mixing various interpretations, one can say that it expresses the essence of the predominantly anti-intellectual precepts of Zen Buddhism. Dark islands in the white sea, mountain peaks rising above the clouds - everyone sees what he wants to see. Come here early in the morning, before the influx of visitors. Few experiences associated with visiting Kyoto remain in memory as long as the contemplation of the mysterious Ryoanji rock garden.

Behind the garden, you can take a walk among the maple and pine trees of the forest that surrounds the charming Kyoyoti Pond at the foot of Mount Kinugasa. Luxurious dense moss grows abundantly everywhere. Few foreign visitors know this, but just a 15-minute walk south is the magnificent Myoshinji - a walled complex of temples, Japanese gardens and tea houses where you can spend the whole day without noticing.

A 20-minute walk or a short bus ride from Ryoanji is the famous "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" Kinkakuji (daily 9.00-17.00). The original pavilion of the late 14th century, completely covered in gold leaf, was a typical expression of the irrepressible desire for luxury, characteristic of the Muromachi period and encouraged by the shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, who built the pavilion by the time of his retirement at the quite respectable age of 38 years. That pavilion was burnt down in 1950 by a fanatical young monk. Today's 1955 building is a replica of the original, last renovated in 2002. Most of the buildings are not accessible to the public, but walking up the winding stone stairs to the exit, you won't pass by the thatched tea ceremony house.

Another famous fire victim is Daitokuji. This vast complex of 22 small temples and related monasteries (currently fewer than the 60 that existed in the Edo period) burned down and restored from the 14th to the 17th centuries. The complex is lavishly endowed with artistic treasures and some of Japan's finest Zen gardens, reflecting its history as an important center for calligraphy, horticulture, the tea ceremony and other refined art forms. Zen temples have particularly remarkable gardens, tea houses and relics. Daisen-in, "Zen temple unparalleled", features magnificent painted fusuma (sliding panels) and decorated with wall paintings. The curious garden of Zuiho-in Monastery combines Zen Buddhist and Christian symbolism, as well as an attractive rock garden and an unusually geometric tea garden. Ryugen-in has five different rock gardens, one of which may be the smallest in Japan.

To the south of the complex is the traditional Nishijin weaving district. High-quality fabrics have been produced there for centuries, including exquisite silk brocades. The best place to get to know the subject - Nishijin Textile Center (daily 9.00-17.00).

To the west is the large and significant shrine of Kitano Tenmangu. (daily 9.00-17.00; www.kitanotenmangu.or.jp). Tenmangu temples are usually decorated with statues of seated cows and bulls, which are credited with healing properties. You will see how people rub certain parts of the statues in the hope of getting rid of their pain or illness. The shrine is also famous for its thousands of plum trees, whose rich pink color draws crowds in the weeks leading up to the cherry blossom fever. However, it really gets crowded here on the 25th of every month, when Kitano Tenmangu hosts the nationwide famous flea market. People come from far and wide to wander among second-hand kimonos, antique furniture and pottery, ancient scrolls, as well as handicrafts, food and household goods, the prices of which range from affordable to mind-blowing.

Central part of Kyoto

southwest railway station Kyoto is worth Toji - the oldest temple in the city with the largest pagoda in the country. The temple was founded after the imperial capital moved to Kyoto in 794. It was built from a forest from the sacred mountain Inari located to the south. After 30 years, the deeply revered founder of esoteric Buddhism, Shingon Kukai, was appointed chief abbot. (became known as Kobo Daishi after his death). The temple complex quickly became the main center of the shingon in Kyoto, which it remains to this day. In addition to the imposing pagoda, a huge flea market is nationally popular, gathering crowds of bargain hunters on the 21st of each month.

Directly north of the pagoda are the centers of two currents of jodo-shinsu. ("Pure Land"): Nishi-Honganji and Higashi-Honganji temples. The latter was built by the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to counter the powerful influence of Nishi Honganji, which gained thousands of followers thanks to the preaching of liberal Buddhism: priests could marry and have children, eat meat and abandon traditional ascetic practices.

Most of Higashi Honganji is not accessible to the public, but the main hall and the founder's hall, restored in 1895 after repeated fires, are notable for the rather nasty ropes woven from women's hair, which were donated by parishioners to transport the temple's pillars to their place of installation. Entrance to Shosei-en Temple Garden (daily 9.00-16.00), located to the east within a short walk, free of charge. The shady garden with a large number of ponds is a pleasant place to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city center. Much more is waiting for you at the nearby Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, a truly outstanding example of Japan's monumental Buddhist architecture, which combines an imposing silhouette with ornate décor. With its splendor built in the 17th century. owe in no small measure to constructions brought here from Hideyoshi's luxurious Fushimi Castle, located in southern Kyoto (taken apart by order of Tokugawa in 1632).

Nijo Castle - touching monument ironic twists in history. Built in 1603 by Ieyasu Toku-gawa for his rare and reluctant visits to Kyoto (at the command of the emperor) the castle after the restoration of 1868 was expropriated by Emperor Meiji. It was here that the emperor signed the edict abolishing the shogunate and ordered his carpenters to bypass the castle and replace Tokugawa's stock roses with imperial chrysanthemums.

Directly to the east of the castle is the new Kyoto International Manga Museum. (Tue-Thu 10.00-20.00; www.kyotomm.com), proving by its existence that Kyoto lives not only in the past. The museum positions itself as the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to Japanese comics. Visitors are allowed to take comics to the lawn and read there.

For a change of pace and mood, look for Nishiki Market. A surprisingly calm street market occupies a single-aisle arcade. It is hard to tear your eyes away from the colorful stalls with dried and fresh fish, pickled vegetables, young bamboo shoots, chicken wings and breasts artfully laid out in an ornament, an abundance of squid, mussels, oysters and scallops.

Nearby, off to the north is Shiji-dori, another significant market area worth seeing and known as Teramachi. (literally "temple district"), During the reorganization of the city space in 1591, after its almost complete ruin as a result of inter-clan wars, Hideyoshi moved many temples of Kyoto to this long narrow street. Although small temples and shrines still exist today, tourists are primarily drawn to the covered arcade between Shijo and Sanjo streets, famous for its second-hand bookshops, shops selling traditional handmade washi paper, fashionable and sometimes extravagant clothing, and numerous pickled food shops. .

North of Oike, Teramachi is becoming home to some of Kyoto's most respectable antique and washi paper shops, some of which have been around for hundreds of years. On the adjoining streets there are centers of trade in traditional Japanese tables, screens, lamps, scrolls and other exquisite furnishings and interior design.

Southern Kyoto

The importance of rice in Japanese culture cannot be overestimated. Every year, during a ceremony significant for the country, the emperor plants rice in a symbolic field, thereby emphasizing his role as a link between the Japanese people and the Shinto gods. Rice is so important that the Shinto pantheon even has its own deity named Inari. There are thousands of Inari shrines scattered throughout Japan, which can be recognized by two foxes standing guard.

In the southern part of Kyoto is the most famous shrine Fushimi-Inari. In a city brimming with sights, this is one of those places that can finally deplete your supply of enthusiastic epithets. The main buildings, with ubiquitous rice and fox motifs, are among the most extensive in Kyoto. Once you're upstairs, take the path to the right of the building to reach the shrine's first notable feature, long winding tunnels made up of bright orange arc torii. Delivered (for big money) funded by companies and individuals who hope to thus secure the blessing of the gods, as you move through the tunnel, the torii decrease and begin to climb the mountain. Then you come to an intriguing double tunnel that forces you to choose between the right and left roads. Climbing to the top of Mount Inari, you will pass many small temples and countless bright red torii, both miniature and massive. Charge your camera beforehand - you'll need it.

To the north of Fushimi is the large Zen Buddhist temple complex Tofukuji. In addition to many imposing buildings, there in the hojo (priest's house) there are four notable and distinctive Zen gardens. The central part of the territory is occupied by a hollow with a small maple grove. Every fall, hundreds of thousands of people come here to admire the vibrant colors from the Tsutenkyo Covered Bridge. ("Skyway Bridge").

Traveling from Kyoto

When your head and body are ready to take a break from the stresses of cultural sightseeing, head south to resort area Arashiyama along the Hozu River (also known as Oh). The maple-lined river and the famous old Togetsukyo wooden bridge are very popular with Japanese tourists, so you should refrain from traveling here on Sundays and national holidays.

There are several significant temples and shrines in Arashiyama. Nonomiya Shrine is unique in its special role in preparing princesses of the imperial family to serve as priestesses at Ise Grand Shrine, the country's main Shinto shrine. The shrine occupies an important place in The Tale of Genji, as well as in the well-known theater play but with the eloquent title "Nonomiya", and therefore is of particular interest to people who are not indifferent to classical Japanese literature.

North of Kyoto, in the rural enclave of Ohara, is the majestic Sanzen-in temple complex. From the bus station, follow the signs for English language, to a path that winds along the stream past numerous shops and stores selling Ohara's famous pickled products, and eventually you will find yourself in front of the massive gates of the temple.

The magnificently designed Suhakein Garden with a pond is a cult place of meditation and contemplation. After seeing the garden, go to the hall at the end of the corridor and try your hand at calligraphy side by side with Japanese visitors brushing traditional prayer invocations to the central image of the Amida Buddha. The view that opens from the veranda at the back of the building to the landscaped garden rich in greenery and mosses is one of the most famous in Kyoto. In the Ojo Gokurakin Hall in the central part of the temple, there is an imposing seated statue of Amida Buddha dating from 986 BC. (and so revered that it is forbidden to photograph her). The seals that you can use in the various numbered areas of the complex are especially elegant, and their prints will be a wonderful and unusual souvenir to remind you of your visit here.

About 30 km from Kyoto, in the depths of the forested nature reserve, there is the Miho Museum. (mid-March - mid-June, mid-July - mid-August, September - mid-December Tue-Sun 10.00-17.00; www.miho.or.jp), designed by the world famous architect I. M. Pei. The tunnel provides access to an outstanding private collection of Egyptian, South Asian, Chinese, Persian and, of course, Japanese art. The exterior of the building, its interiors and the exhibits themselves are a triumph of design and harmony between old and new, East and West, simplicity and complexity. The Miho Museum is a must visit for anyone interested in Asian art and design.

Uji is located on the Nara railway line, a 30-40 minute drive from Kyoto. The green hills are the backdrop to the mighty Uji River and the extremely significant Byodo-in Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Temple Hall of the Phoenix, with a gilded statue of Amida Buddha seated on a bed of lotus flowers, was built in the 11th century. and, despite all the ups and downs, has come down to our days in its original form. The first thing you notice about Uji is the smell of the tea being dried. Fragrant uji-cha has been cultivated since the 13th century. Local green tea is considered the best in Japan.

university city

With some 40 universities, Kyoto is still considered the educational center of the country. However, due to the lack of space for campuses, the student population has recently declined. The exorbitant cost of building in the city forced a number of faculties to move to rural areas adjacent to Kyoto.

Holidays in Kyoto

The Japanese, especially the people of Kyoto, keep time with holidays and ceremonies. Here are some of them. April. Local geisha in lavish costumes perform traditional dances at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater in Gion. Kyoto hosts numerous fun festivals of admiring flowers [hanami], the most famous of which is Dai-goji.

June. Summer festival in the form of a dynamic water extravaganza at the Kifune Jinja Shrine dedicated to the god of water. Theater performances by torchlight. July. The largest festival in Kyoto is Gion Matsuri, which originated in the 10th century. On July 17, beautifully decorated platforms float through the city.

October. Holiday month. The bull festival in Koryuji is one of the "mysterious holidays" of Kyoto. Jidai Matsuri (Celebration of the Ages) crowns the "mysterious holidays" and is the apogee of the October round of costume festivals. The procession through the streets of the city is led by 2,000 people representing the famous characters of Japanese history.

December. Kaomise (show face)- a gala performance of the kabuki theater in Minami-za, during which the actors show their real face. Senbon Saka-do - Buddhist Enlightenment Festival with Radish Boiling Ceremony!

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Useful information for tourists about Kyoto in Japan - geographical position, tourism infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Kyoto is one of the most ancient Japanese cities. Under the name Heian, from 794 to 1869, Kyoto was the capital of Japan. It is located in the central part of the island of Honshu and is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as one of the leading cities in the Kansai region and the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto urban area. The city is located in the Kyoto depression and is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges Hiei, Higashiyama, Daigo, Kitayama and Nishiyama.

Former capital Japan is considered one of the most popular tourist spots not only among foreign tourists but also among the Japanese themselves. The atmosphere of ancient Japan is felt in the city, there are many ancient temples, former imperial palaces and castles.

There are about 1,600 Buddhist temples and 600 Shinto shrines in the city of Kyoto. Perhaps one of the most famous are Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and its replica Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion). If the Golden Pavilion is indeed covered with gold, then Ginkaku-ji was never decorated with silver. These two buildings were erected by the Ashikaga family, Yoshimitsu's grandfather and Yoshimasa's grandson, as retreat residences, and after their death, in accordance with the wills of their owners, they became Buddhist temples.

In Kyoto, it is also worth visiting the Rock Garden of the Ryoan-ji Temple - the most famous in Japan, the castles of Nijo (the residence of the Tokugawa family), Fushimi, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Fukuyama, which serves as a local history museum.

Local features.

There are many festivals in Kyoto, but four festivals are considered the most famous. Gion Matsuri is held in July, and the main event is a procession through the streets in the city center on July 17th. It was first held in 869 to appease the gods and stop the epidemic. Mikosi, portable shrines, were carried around the city. The procession helped to stop the infection, and from the following year, by a specially issued decree, the ritual became mandatory and annual.

The Aoi Matsuri or Kamo Festival has been held since the second half of the 6th century. During this festival, the inhabitants of the city tried to propitiate Kamo, who sent heavy rains and winds that destroyed the crop. When Emperor Kanmu moved the capital to Kyoto in the 9th century, he recognized Kamo as the patron saint of Kyoto and declared Aoi Matsuri an annual imperial festival. Today, during the festival, a solemn procession is sent from the imperial palace to the two shrines of Kamo to pay tribute to the deity.

On October 22, Kyoto celebrates the Jidai Matsuri, or Festival of Ages. The procession participants are dressed in costumes from different eras in the history of Japan. The holiday has been celebrated since 1895, when the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Heian-kyo (the former name of Kyoto) was celebrated.

Nestled among the mountains of Western Honshu, Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan and the residence of the Emperor for a millennium (794 - 1868). During this time, Kyoto amassed a unique collection of palaces, temples and shrines built for emperors, shoguns and monks, and today is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities country, which is the custodian of many ancient monuments architecture and art.

The first thing you see when you enter Kyoto is the state-of-the-art glass and steel city train station. Kyoto strives to preserve ancient traditions, but a clash with modernity is inevitable. Gradually revealing the beauty of Kyoto in the temples and parks that surround the city center, and walking through its dynamic youth quarters, narrow streets, along the river, you understand that modernity only emphasizes the beautiful corners of ancient culture and creates an amazing harmony of times, making this city special. .

Short video about Kyoto

How to get there

From Russia to Japan can be reached by plane, and only from Vladivostok by ferry.

By plane

Kyoto does not have its own airport, it is located in Osaka. From Moscow to Osaka, a ticket with transfers costs from 20,000 rubles, travel time from 11 hours. - direct from 40,000 rubles 9.30 hours of flight. You can see how much flight tickets will cost on your dates, for example,.

From Osaka to Kyoto, there is a train every half an hour (540 yen) and a bus every 20 minutes.

By train

Unfortunately, it is impossible to get directly from Moscow to Kyoto by train. But within the country, rail communication is very developed. Therefore, a little about how to get from airports by train to Kyoto.

From Itami

If you are flying to Kyoto from other regions of Japan, you will arrive at Itami Airport. Itami Airport is located near the city of Osaka, it is the largest in the Kansai region. The easiest way to get to Kyoto from the airport is to take bus number 15. The ride will take about an hour and cost 1280 yen. Buses run three times an hour. Alternatively, you can take the monorail or conventional train. This option requires a minimum of two transfers, but costs only 650 yen and only takes about an hour.

Main attractions. What to watch

Kyoto was one of the few cities in Japan that was able to avoid bombing during World War II. Therefore, in the city of Kyoto, the sights are very diverse: there are even buildings of pre-war construction, for example, traditional Japanese machiya townhouses. However, the city is constantly being modernized, and some old buildings are being replaced by new ones.

Kyoto has an unimaginable number of attractions, so be sure to plan your itinerary in advance to see as many as possible.

Be sure to purchase the Kyoto Walks guide booklet from the Japan Tourism Organization or check out the recommended itineraries on their website. This will help you not get lost. There are many in the brochure. useful information about bus numbers, bus stop names and hiking trails, as well as walking routes in different areas that you can take on your own to feel the atmosphere of Kyoto.

Some sights of Kyoto:

Imperial palaces and villas.

• In the center of Kyoto are the Imperial Palace (Kyōto-gosho) and the Sento Palace (Sentō-gosho)
• In Western Kyoto, the Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura-rikyū)
• In Northern Kyoto - the Imperial Villa Sugakuin (Shugaku-in-rikyū), as well as the imperial gardens and the library.

Below is a more detailed list of what to see in Kyoto:

1. Kiyomizu is the Temple of Clear Water.
2. Fushimi Inari Taisha is the main fox shrine with tens of thousands of "branches" in Japan.
3. Kinkakuji - Golden Pavilion.
4. Bamboo grove in the Arashiyama area.
5. Saihoji is the temple of mosses.
6. Ginkakuji - Silver Pavilion.
7. Ryoanji is a famous temple and rock garden.
8. Sanjusangendo is a temple of thirty-three spaces.
9. Nijo Jo is a castle, the former residence of the shoguns. This is where Byodo-in Temple's military-style art is located.
10. The Togetsukyo Bridge is the Bridge of the Shifting Moon.

World Heritage Sites

In 1994, 17 historical monuments were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto group. 14 attractions from the list are located in Kyoto itself, two in the neighboring city of Uji, and one in Otsu.

The 14 World Heritage Sites of Kyoto City, listed according to location:

• Northern Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji, Kozanji, Shimogamo Temple, Kamigamo Temple.
• Central Kyoto: Nijo Castle, Nishi Hongan-ji, To-ji.
• Eastern Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji.
• Western Kyoto: Tenryu-ji, Koke-dera.
• Southern Kyoto: Daigo-ji.

Top 5

Kyomizu Dera Temple

Buddhist temple of transparent Water, built without a single nail. The building of the temple is distinguished by the rarest style of architecture, despite the fact that the temple was reconstructed, its current appearance accurately reflects the original. If for us a temple is a separate building, then in Japanese culture a temple is understood as a sacred territory on which separate buildings are located, called halls.

Kiyom And dzu-d uh ra favorite tourist facility and it owes its fame, first of all, to the stunning landscapes that open from the temple platform (veranda), which is located at a height of 13 meters above the ground and hangs directly above the cliff (due to the slope of Mount Otova). From such a height, a bewitching picture of the city opens up from here. Particularly beautiful scenery can be seen in spring and cherry blossom season, and in autumn, when the gardens around the temple are adorned with golden foliage.

On the territory of the complex there is a three-tiered pagoda, it is considered one of the highest in Japan.
Not far from the main hall, which gave the temple its name, there is a waterfall with the purest water. The water is divided into 3 streams, according to legend, the waters of the waterfall have great power, and each of the 3 streams gives health, wisdom and good luck. For visitors there are special ladles with long handles - you can scoop up some water for a sip. However, you should not drink from three streams at once - the gods do not like greed.

This is one of the most favorite tourist spots, so try to arrive early, around 9 am, to enjoy the beauty in peace. Admission is free, but kindergarten is 600 yen. Trust me, it's worth it. The Japanese garden is a work of art, a large area with several beautiful ponds, amazing plants, flowers and bizarre trees.

Fushimi Inari

The Fushimi Inari Temple Complex is an important Shinto religious building dedicated to Inari, the god of rice. It is located in the southern part of Kyoto city. It is known for its bright scarlet colored Torii gates. These gates are decorated with paths that lead to the sacred forest of Mount Inari, at an altitude of 233 meters, which is part of temple complex to the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and stretch for almost 5 kilometers. The gate was built with the money of various Japanese companies, because Inari is the patron of business. On the territory there are a lot of figurines of the fox "Kitsune", which is the messenger of Inari.

The ascent takes 2-3 hours, but it is absolutely not necessary to go to the end, no one forbids turning around at any moment. In addition, you can relax and have a bite to eat in one of the small restaurants along the way.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

One of the most amazing temples of Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). It is one of the temples of the Roku complex. about nji located in northern Kyoto. The temple got its name due to its brilliant coating of pure gold on the outside, and the first two floors completely finished with thin sheets of gold inside. The temple is completely reflected in the mirror surface of the lake, it is stunningly beautiful. The current building is an exact copy of the one that burned down in 1950. The temple is a memorial world heritage UNESCO since 1994.

Kinkaku-ji is immersed in the greenery of a beautiful garden planted at the end of the 14th century. Stones and islands of various shapes and sizes, with pine trees growing on them, are scattered all over the surface of the huge lake, which is spread at the foot of the temple. The temple fits into this landscape so harmoniously that it seems to be part of nature. Worth a walk in secluded places Imperial Palace, with gardens and tea houses. Of course, they are especially beautiful during cherry blossom and autumn, when the riot of colors enchants guests.

Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama

Plenty in Kyoto amazing places, among them it is impossible not to single out a bamboo grove. Walking through the grove, you will easily be transported to the unique ancient Japanese atmosphere. The grove is known not only for its amazingly thick bamboo stems, but also for the sounds they make. It is even included in the list of "100 Sound Attractions in Japan". The rustling and creaking of bamboo stems, and no more sounds! Incredible sensations, as if time slows down, peace comes, a swarm of thoughts in the head freezes, like water drops in weightlessness, and falls into place. In these moments you feel incredible harmony with the world and with yourself.

Saihoji - moss temple

The moss garden is amazing and charming. The emerald green carpet covers the ground, trees, stones with velvet and creates a feeling of magic and unreality. Walking along the path, you never cease to be amazed at the intricacy of the landscapes. Huge stone boulders and rocks, curved tree trunks, islands in the calm surface of the water, everything is permeated with green soft light and silence. Its bewitching beauty impresses visitors at any time of the year, but it is especially beautiful in autumn, the contrast of bright foliage and green fluffy bedspread pleases the eye and calms the mind.

In order to preserve this unique place, tourist visits are limited. If you want to see the moss garden, you must apply in advance to send a postcard with the date of visit and return address Duration of visit 90 minutes. Price -3000 yen.

These are not all the sights of Kyoto, it is also worth a visit:

• Ryoanji (Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) is a famous temple and rock garden.
• Anjusangendo is a temple of thirty-three spaces.
• The most interesting place to visit in Kyoto is the Gosho Imperial Palace
• The bridge of the passing moon here everything is interesting and unusual.

Beaches. Which is better

Kyoto is located far from the sea and there are no beaches in the city itself, but in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture there are unequipped sandy beaches, however, wild bathing areas are not considered beaches in Japan.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Kyoto has many temples and sacred places.

Nanzen-ji

Nanzen-ji is a whole complex, its territory extends at the foot of the Higashiyama Mountains in eastern Kyoto. It is a temple of Zen Buddhism, one of the largest in Japan. It is especially beautiful here in autumn, when the curved roofs of the temples and the massive Sanmon Gate towering above the treetops can be seen through the golden foliage. There is a balcony at the gate, which offers a wonderful view of the gardens, tea houses and rock garden.

Yasaka Shrine

An active Buddhist temple. It is located in a very busy part of the city, it rests against the noisy Shijo-Dori street

Byodo-in Temple

Byodo-in Temple is a Buddhist temple listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. His most famous Phoenix Pavilion can be seen on the 10 yen coin. The tour lasts no more than 20 minutes and costs 300 yen. The temple is open to the public from 8:30 to 17:30 every day.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

National Museum in Kyoto

This is one of the most famous museums in Japan. Previously, the museum was called the Imperial Museum and was intended to store the treasures of temples and shrines. In addition, the museum has an impressive photo archive. Perhaps the most precious and worth seeing in the collection is the sentsui biyubi landscape screen and the Scroll of Hungry Ghosts. The exhibits of the museum are collected and distributed in the exposition in three areas: fine arts (painting, sculpture, calligraphy), crafts (ceramics, lacquer, fabrics, metal products, including household and religious purposes, weapons and armor), archaeological finds. Here are exhibits not only from Japan, but also from other Asian countries. Entrance: 520 yen for adults, 260 yen for students, free admission for students

Silver Pavilion - Ginkakuji

The main art museum is located here, it houses expositions with works by famous painters. In addition, the pavilion itself is of historical value and is located on the shore of a beautiful lake, the interior of the building is separated from the splendor of nature by a sliding wall. If the walls are moved apart, then the boundary between the rich decoration of the pavilion and the grandiose natural landscapes disappears.

MANGA Museum

Having been in Kyoto, it is simply impossible to pass by the Manga Museum - the legendary Japanese comics, especially for those who are interested in this direction. To begin with, this is the International Manga Museum, the first and largest. He owns a huge collection and has about 300,000 exhibits. Despite the fact that the museum great amount books, the collection is constantly growing and being translated into other languages. This is a completely new format of the museum, here you can easily take an interesting MANGA volume and lie down right on the grass in the courtyard or on the couch in the walls of the museum in order to enjoy reading Admission fee: 800 yen, schoolchildren, students 100 - 300 yen

Modern Art Museum

Fans of contemporary art will be interested in visiting this gallery, which exhibits works by contemporary artists, sculptors, and designers not only from Japan, but also from other countries.
Ticket price - 450 yen

Museum of Traditional Crafts

Here they play videos that show the process of manufacturing a particular product. It will be interesting to those who like to create something with their own hands.

This was a list of the most popular museums in Kyoto.

tourist streets

Embankment

Although Kyoto is famous for its beautiful temples, the waterfront of the Kamo River, which flows through the city, is no less attractive. This is a favorite vacation spot. local residents. There are a large number of cafes and restaurants, many right in the open air, which are located right on the beach. An alley stretches along the other bank, there are no buildings here, and everyone can relax as they want: they ride bicycles along the alley, run, walk, sit, couples kiss, children frolic.

Trout is found in the river, herons fly.

Ninen-zaka street.

Ninen-zaka street descends to the Kiyomizu-dera temple. The city's architecture and traditions were preserved when it was restored. The street was founded in the years of the empire.

Here you can see geishas everywhere, it's so unusual. Especially in Gion, one of the areas where geishas live. Noisy streets, with old wooden buildings reminiscent of old Kyoto, tea houses and cafes are everywhere.

Higashiyama area

Higashiyama is the area where Kiyomizu-dera Temple is located. It is interesting as an area for walking. It has many narrow streets with houses in traditional Japanese style. Along the street, on both sides, there are many shops and souvenir shops. Here you can buy various varieties of Japanese green tea, which you can even try for free. You can go to a cozy cafe or restaurant along the way to rest and eat. Particularly inquisitive people should be more careful, because wandering through these streets from shop to shop, looking into cafes and restaurants, you can get stuck here for half a day.

What to see in 1 day

Kyoto is beautiful, amazing and original. And everyone who gets here, succumbs to his charms. The first week, you walk around the city, admiring the temples, palaces, pagodas and gardens, skillfully woven like beads into an expensive outfit, into the architecture of the city. But at some point, there comes a feeling that everything merges into a continuous series of colorful pictures, replacing one another like in a kaleidoscope. If you too caught yourself on this thought, go to the theme park "Toei Uzumasa Eigamura".

Kyoto used to be called "Japanese Hollywood": since 1920, almost all historical films and TV shows were filmed here, until the local cinema fell into decline with the onset of the 60s. After part of the scenery and film sets were dismantled and the entrance was opened for fans of Japanese cinema, this park appeared. Moreover, it continues to function and be used for filming various historical films and programs. However, this is a recreation and amusement park and only here you can meet the heroes of animated series, ninjas and samurai.

Here you will see rides, interactive games, various shows and entertainment programs, you can become a participant in a theatrical performance. Here you can rent a geisha, samurai, Japanese princess or shogun costume. You will get a professional themed make-up and a hairstyle (or wig) that matches the chosen image. You can take a professional photo or learn Japanese sword fighting techniques (for a fee, of course).

Address: Kyoto City, Ukyo-ku, Uzumasa, Higashi-Hachigaoka-cho 10. Full-day entry to the Film Village costs 2,200 yen

What to see in the surroundings

An approximate list of places near Kyoto that are worth visiting:

1. In Uji, you can taste the best tea in Japan, as well as visit Byodo-in Temple.
2. Kurama is less than an hour by local train from Kyoto Demachiyanagi Station. In a small village you will find Japanese onsen hot springs. You can take a walk through the mountains to the town of Kibune and here take a train to Kyoto. The trail is wide and safe, but there are many steps to climb. The journey will take about 90 minutes (if you do not admire the temples for a long time on the way). You can buy a map at the Kyoto Station Information Desk.
3. Lake Biwa. If the summer humidity has chilled your thirst for travel, you can have a beach day on the underrated beaches of the western Lake Biwa. The popular Omi Maiko and Shiga Beach can be reached by a 40-minute drive from Kyoto via the JR Kosei line.
4. Mount Hiei is an ancient hilltop temple complex that traditionally guarded (and sometimes plundered) Kyoto.
5. Otsu is home to some magnificent ancient temples and Mount Hiei, as well as one of the ports of Lake Biwa.
6. Koka is the birthplace of the ninja. Here you can visit the Miho Museum.
7. Nara City is less than an hour by train on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station. Nara is even older than Kyoto, the capital, which has preserved an amazing collection of temples and a giant landscape park.
8. You can get to Osaka in half an hour from Kyoto. high-speed train JR. This bustling city offers a great selection of shops, as well as a guided tour of Osaka Castle.
9. Amanohashidate, literally "Sky Bridge", is considered one of the three famous landscapes in Japan (along with Matsushima Bay in Miyagi Prefecture and Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture). This is a thin strip of land that connects the shores of Miyatsu Bay in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture. Tourists are usually advised to turn their backs on the scenery, bend over and look at the "Sky Bridge" between their own legs.
10. It takes about an hour to get to Himeji on the Shinkansen west of Kyoto. Himeji boasts an impressive traditional style castle.

Food. What to try

In Kyoto, the food is, of course, mostly Japanese, but there are also quite a few establishments with European cuisine. If you do not like Japanese food, then you can shop in mini-markets (kobini) here you can find bread, fruits, dairy products, cereals. A reference point for restaurants is the presence in the menu of the names of dishes of European cuisine, pasta, for example.

Kyoto is the capital of high Japanese kaiseki cuisine. Japanese cuisine is a real art. Each dish is exquisitely decorated, every detail is thought out, many miniature dishes are served on beautiful dishes, which are eaten sitting on the tatami (special mats). Usually, the dish is so beautifully decorated, cooked and served that you just lose the power of speech. Firstly, the dish will be brought on a fantastically beautiful plate, on which you will see either food or a picture in the form of a garden of several snacks. In Kyoto cuisine, as a rule, there are no complex sauces so as not to spoil the taste of the product, there is no long heat treatment in the form of boiling and frying, but at the same time, the dishes seem to be created not by a chef, but by the hand of an artist. The process of eating is given special attention, this is a whole ceremony, a sacrament, with a flavor inherent in Japan.

In Kyoto, you can enjoy traditional dishes such as hamo (white fish served with a sushi-like plum), tofu (good restaurants near Nanzen-ji Temple), expensive suppon turtle soup, vegetarian dishes (thanks to the surroundings of the temples) and the traditional kaiseki lunch. ryori (choice of several dishes from the chef). So, even if you are not a fan of Japanese cuisine, it is worth changing your habits in Kyoto, you are unlikely to be disappointed.

matcha

Kyoto and the neighboring city of Uji are famous for matcha (抹茶 maccha) green tea, but tourists come not just to drink this tea, but also to enjoy the different tastes and aromas of tea. Matcha ice cream is also very popular and can be found in most places that sell ice cream, snacks and souvenirs.

Yatsuhashi

Yatsuhashi is a delicious Kyoto snack. There are two types of yatsuhashi - cooked and raw. Yatsuhashi was originally made using cinnamon and was like a crispy cookie. Today, yatsuhashi can be bought both traditionally and dipped in matcha and topped with strawberry icing.

Raw yatsuhashi, more commonly known as hijiri, is also made with cinnamon. But they are already stuffed with bean paste filling and folded in the form of a triangle. Today, you can buy yatsuhashi with a variety of fillings, including matcha tea, chocolate, banana, and poppy seeds. There are seasonal fillings such as yatsuhashi with sakura in spring or mango, peach, strawberry and strawberry from May to October.

While yatsuhashi can be purchased at most gift shops, Honkenishio Yatsuhashi sells the finest raw yatsuhashi. Here you can try seasonal toppings and find free samples. Most of the firm's stores are located in Higashiyama. The most suitable for tourists are located on Kiyomizu-Zaka, just below the entrance to Kiyomizu-dera.

Although raw yatsuhashi are delicious, they have a shelf life of less than one week. But cooked yatsuhashi is stored for about three months. This should be considered when buying a yatsuhashi home as a souvenir.

Nishiki Market

Nishiki (also known as Kyoto cuisine) is a 400-year-old market in Kyoto with over 100 shops and eateries. Here you will find a real collection of unique rarities and delicacies. It will surprise you with an abundance of ingredients and outlandish food. Some shops give you the opportunity to taste their goods for free. For a Russian person, this is very important, because the taste of most of the goods presented is not known to us. Here, basically, the family business flourishes, the owners of some shops pass it on from generation to generation for centuries.

Expensive

Dinner in a traditional style, the pleasure is not cheap, from $ 80 per person, there are simply no upper limits.

Moreover, when ordering a kaiseki-style meal in a specialized restaurant, you will have to trust the chef, ordering from the menu simply does not make sense. The main thing is that he understands the size of your budget. For example, dinner at the restaurant of the Kanamean Nishitomiya Hotel - from $ 120, only by reservation.

A kaiseki-style dinner at Sushi Iwa, around the corner from Izuyasu Ryokan, might look something like this: many small plates with something incomprehensible, when one tiny plate with something beautiful follows another - with something also great and incomprehensible, and so several times. Then there may be traditional sashimi and sushi, but this is not at all the sushi that you are used to in Russia. Sushi, laid out on a plate in a single copy, in turn. And they look and taste, believe me, completely different.

Hotel Izuyasu: $135 per person, with dinner - from $200.

But often the star rating of a hotel is often an indicator of only the price. For example, the Arashiyama restaurant (three stars) dinner from $1,000, the Kitcho Granvia restaurant from $350, while the cuisine is the same and the quality of the dishes is no worse.

Holidays

Holidays, events and festivals

1. Setsubun (February 3 or 4). On this day, a large bonfire is made and a Shinto ceremony is held at Yoshida Shrine.
2. During the Hanatoro festival (March 14-23 in Higashiyama and December 14-23 in Arashiyama), streets and temples are decorated with lights and flowers, and many establishments extend visiting hours by several hours.
3. Cherry blossom season (April 1-15, dates may vary depending on the weather). While viewing the cherry blossoms is wonderful in itself, the city often hosts special events during this period.
4. Aoi Matsuri (Aoi Matsuri, May 15). From the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, a long procession dressed in Heian period costumes goes to Shimogamo Shrine and ends at Kamigamo Shrine.
5. Gion Festival (Gion Matsuri, July 17). Portable mikoshi sacred vaults are carried through the streets of the city. This holiday is one of the three most popular holidays in Japan.
6. Daimonji Gozan Okuribi Festival (August 16). Fires are lit in the mountains of northwestern Kyoto in honor of ancestors. Candle lanterns float across the water at Hirosawa Pond.
7. Jidai Matsuri (October 22). People dress up in traditional clothes and march to the Heian Temple.

Things to do

public baths

Public baths have been a cornerstone of society in Kyoto for centuries. The first mention of a public bath, or sento, was recorded in the 13th century. They soon became a place where social status didn't matter. The nobles shared the bath with commoners and warriors. More than 140 baths have survived to this day in Kyoto. Bath "Funaoka Onsen" is the oldest bath and is called the "king of baths". But the new baths are also an important part of Japanese culture.

If you have a free moment, be sure to visit one of the public baths in Kyoto. More information can be found at Kyoto Baths.

Funaoka Onsen in Kyoto (Address: Kita Ward, Murasakino Minamifunaokacho 82-1; take bus 206 from Kyoto Station; Tel: +81-75-441-3735) is open from 15:00 to 01:00. This bathhouse, being the oldest public bathhouse in Kyoto, is still in operation today. Its classical building is a fine example of early 20th century bath architecture. It is very popular with both locals and tourists. Admission is 410 yen.

Meditation

Known for its abundance of historical sites, Kyoto often attracts tourists eager to experience traditional Japanese culture. Buddhist meditation is one of the most popular ways to immerse yourself in tradition, and Kyoto offers several options. In Northern Kyoto, Taizo-in and Shunko-in temples (both part of the Myoshin-ji temple complex) offer true Zen meditation experiences, including an explanation of the meditation's meaning and significance. Advance booking required.

Japanese plum blossom

Less well known to foreign tourists who place more emphasis on cherry blossoms, the Japanese plum blossom can be an excellent alternative for those planning to visit Kyoto in mid-February to mid-March. There are two popular plum blossom spots in Kyoto: Kitano-tenmangu Temple and Botanical Garden which are located in Northern Kyoto.

At Kitano-tenmangu Temple, plum trees are located right at the entrance, and for only 600 yen you can walk through the garden. In the garden of the temple there are many other types of trees that can be viewed for free. Every year the temple holds a geisha concert among the plum blossoms. Plum blossoms have a very pleasant special aroma. The Japanese plum is more correctly called an apricot, but due to an error in translation from Japanese, this tree is called a plum.

Shopping and shops

Shopping in the central shopping district of Shijo-Dori is second to none

Where to go shopping in Kyoto?

The best area for shopping in Kyoto is the Kawaramachi Dori area. For antiques and art, head to Furumonzen Dori and Shinmonzen Dori (Gion). From the mandatory shopping list, one can single out porcelain sets for the tea ceremony, sets of chopsticks, kimonos and vases, wooden and carved dolls, fans, umbrellas. Kyoto also has a flea market that runs on the 21st day of every month. It is located next to the Toji Shrine. Shops in Kyoto are open from 10:00 to 19:00

Less traditional, but also bright (and relatively inexpensive) souvenirs are wooden commemorative plaques that Shinto shrines make. On the reverse side tablets usually have an image related to the temple. Visitors can write their wishes and prayers on a tablet and leave it hanging near the temple, but no one forbids taking the tablet with them.

Manga and anime fans should visit Teramachi Street, a covered shopping street near the main Shijo-dori street, which boasts a large two-story manga store, a two-story branch of the "Gamers" (anime chain) store, and a small two-story anime shop where you can find collectible copies.

ATMs and money exchange

Many ATMs in Kyoto do not accept foreign credit cards, but ATMs at post offices and Seven-Eleven stores are the exception. So, if suddenly ATMs in the city refuse to accept the card, it is best to head to the ATMs in post offices. In the city, you can find ATMs of the PLUS and Cirrus systems that accept VISA and MasterCard / Maestro cards. Another option is Citibank.

There is an old reserve of international ATMs on the top floor of the Takashimaya Department Store on Shijo/Kawaramachi Street in "Cash Corner." An ATM accepting international cards is on the ground floor shopping center Kyoto Tower (Across the street from Kyoto Station).

Bars. Where to go

At night, Kyoto is dominated by bars catering to the locals. They are mostly located in Central Kyoto on Kiyamachi Street, between Shijo and Sanjo Streets. The bars offer a wide range of drinks for everyone. The owner or hostess of the bar is easy to find, as the polite staff are pacing at the entrance to the bar, trying to lure customers. There are many other places outside of this street in other areas, but with such a large concentration of bars, it's easier to find a place where you can feel at home and relax. Pontote and Gion, also areas with countless bars and vibrant nightlife, because the choice of establishments is huge, then, as an illustration to the above, the description of several bars:

ING bar

A small bar on the 2nd floor of a building on Kiyamachi south of Hammid Kebaab with 30 seats, full of people in the evenings, a "mix" of Japanese and travelers gathers here. Very friendly hosts will offer you good food, cheap beer, great music and karaoke. The bar has a very unusual rough finish on the outside. One problem, if you are not a smoker, then it will be difficult to survive there for more than 10 minutes.

"A" Bar

Quite a large bar with a very funny interior, the walls are covered with magazine clippings in different languages, places with Japanese and English graffiti, huge wooden tables. The entrance to the bar is one of the doors in the wall in Gion. It is not expensive and very crowded and you can chat with people from all over the world. There is even a menu in Japanese and English, with a large assortment. If you're looking for socializing, this is the place to be.

Tadg's Irish Bar (Formerly McLoughlin's)

This is an Irish bar located on the 8th floor in Ponto-cho with a good selection of international beers, wines, and other spirits at reasonable prices. With Irish and European cuisine and a beautiful panoramic view of Kyoto. There is a pleasant atmosphere in which to sit, at night with a cold Guinness or a glass of wine.

Sake

The most famous Kyoto sake comes from the Gekkeikan brewery in the Fushimi district of South Kyoto. The 400-year-old brewery still makes excellent sake and offers tours of the production to visitors.

Clubs and nightlife

There are a couple of nightclubs in Kyoto, but it cannot be said that the city is famous for its vibrant club life. To experience the nightlife of Japan, it is best to take a train and get to the city of Osaka, where you can find trendy and extravagant clubs no worse than in.

And yet, Kyoto has a very active nightlife, in fact, as in general in Japan. Maybe not on such a scale as in, but here you can "light up" until the morning! there are nightclubs, discos, and just restaurants that work at night and where you can have a good time. Pontote and Gion are areas known for their nightlife. Pontote is one of the traditional areas where you can spend time with geishas. Both areas are rich in nightlife, just be careful, check prices, a small establishment does not mean cheap. Japan is famous for its love of music from different directions and countries. All Japanese discos have excellent lighting, special effects, style, and absolutely amazing sound quality. Security in Kyoto is at a very high level, so you can rest easy. In Japan, it is not customary to drink alcohol on the street, and it is not customary to sell strong alcohol to young people, but low-alcohol drinks such as beer are very popular.

Here are some of the most nightclubs in Kyoto.

World-Kyoto

A small club is open every day, excellent variety of music sounds every day within its walls. Excellent sound, interesting design, stunning lighting effects, incendiary rhythms.

Butterfly

Great club with very good music and friendly staff, very unusual decor, great drinks, the best DJs! And even foreigners will not feel out of place. Time will fly by unnoticed.

Club Metro

Enough unusual place for a nightclub. Worth a visit to make your impression.

Even if you are not a fan of night discos, you will certainly find entertainment to your liking. For example, beer gardens are organized on the roofs of popular hotels in summer. Miyako Hotel is the largest and most popular of them. There are cozy inexpensive cafes, for example, Doutor or Pronto. And just walking through the night streets of Kyoto in the light of lights, feeling its magic, watching cultural shows with the participation of geishas, ​​small Kabuki theaters is a very pleasant experience that complements the impression of visiting this wonderful city.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

IN shopping areas, adjacent to Kiyomizu-dera (on the other side of the Kamo River), you can buy top-class samurai swords and kimonos. Do not be surprised if the price of one item exceeds 3,000,000 yen.

Kyoto incense is very famous. It has a very delicate, fragrant bouquet. Price 400-2000 yen. You can buy incense between the temples of Nishi and Hagashi Hongan-ji.

The best way to get around Kyoto is by public transport or bicycle. On some narrow streets you can get stuck in a traffic jam.

No visit to Japan is complete without skipping Kyoto. The city has been the capital of the Japanese Empire for many years, the history and culture of this people is preserved here. Yes, Kyoto is much more touristy than many of the country's modern metropolitan areas, but it's touristy in a good way.

Kyoto is friendlier, quieter, and undeniably more beautiful than many other cities in Japan. But this is not fake, but natural beauty.

"Kyoto" simply means "Capital". The court of the Japanese emperor moved here at the end of the 8th century (at that time the name was different). Then new town was built in the image of the capital of China. Let me remind you that at that period of history, it was not Beijing, but.

Kyoto held on as the official capital of Japan for more than a thousand years, losing this status only in 1868, when the emperor was restored as the country's supreme ruler, and his court moved to Tokyo. (From there, for hundreds of years, in fact, the country was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa dynasty.) Therefore, one of the nicknames of Kyoto is the "thousand-year capital."

I will try to write a lot about Kyoto in detail, but now I will briefly describe it in general terms.

In Kyoto, unlike most Japanese cities, the streets have names. Since the layout was borrowed from the Chinese, in the city the streets intersect at right angles, everything is smooth and neat.

I prefer to live in Kyoto near the Sanjo Ohashi Bridge ("Third Street Bridge"). It is marked on the map. It's about half an hour walk from the train station (on the map below, in pink). Historically, this bridge was considered the end point. From here, most of Kyoto's sights are accessible on foot or by public transport.

Unfortunately, hotels here are not cheap, especially during the peak seasons of cherry blossoms and.

Kyoto lies in a valley with mountains rising to the west and east of the city. The Kamo River flows along the valley from north to south, geographically it is slightly west of the city center. Most of the cultural attractions of Kyoto are located near the river.

Kamo is shallow, but incredibly beautiful,. Walking along its banks is a pleasure.

On the opposite side, in the northwest, is the Arashiyama area. It is famous for its bamboo alley.

In all the photographs, she is depicted as empty and mysterious. In fact, there are crowds of people here. It's hard for me to imagine how someone manages to film this place empty. They probably just take my shots with a tripod, then remove the people. Or you can remove the fuels over the heads.

There is also a monkey reserve in Arashiyama - though you have to climb the mountain. But you can feed them there with your hand (if such pleasure inspires you)!

Well, in general, Arashiyama is simply beautiful. (Especially in autumn.)

The eastern part of the city, across the river from the station, probably contains the largest number of temples and other historical monuments. There is also a relatively new Ryozen-Kannon memorial, in memory of the fallen soldiers of the Second World War.

The memorial consists of a huge image of the seated Goddess of Mercy. The figure is made of concrete and steel. Each visitor is given a stick of incense to honor the memory of the soldiers.

The Gion area is located next to the memorial. It is famous as a geisha area. Here were (and still come across) tea houses in which geisha entertain their clients.

I think everyone already knows that geishas have nothing to do with prostitution. In traditional Japan, women were given a secondary role in society. It was believed that they could not talk on an equal footing with men about science, art and politics. Geisha were specially educated girls who were able to support such a conversation, as well as entertain clients with music, poetry and dance. Their company was highly paid, but as a rule marriage was impossible for them (what husband would tolerate his wife entertaining other men, even if not with prostitution?)

Today, on the streets of Gion, you can meet girls in makeup and geisha kimonos. Most likely they are tourists painted for photographing.

Such a service is provided for money to anyone who wishes, and real geishas do not show off in public. Getting to a party with a geisha is considered a very prestigious and exclusive pleasure. A regular customer can invite a guest with him as a sign of the highest honor and respect. Only after several such visits, the guest will have the right to try to become an independent client in the tea house of this geisha.

In general, in Kyoto you can meet a bunch of girls in traditional kimonos. Japanese women love to walk around the ancient capital in this outfit. There are fewer men dressed in traditional clothes, but sometimes there are also such men (as a rule, accompanied by girls). But mostly girls go in groups of three or four.

There are special kimono rentals for tourists, you can take it to wear for several hours, it costs about $25. Many Asian girls in traditional robes speak suspiciously clear English among themselves.

In addition to the Kamo River, the city is cut by small canals and streams. All of them with high stone banks in the Japanese style. Closer to the historical center there are bridges without railings, for some reason they give even more charm to such rivers.

And there are also storks... Or are they herons?

In spring, cherry blossoms hang over such rivers, in autumn - beautiful leaves. I think in the summer, it's very green here. So Kyoto is certainly beautiful at any time of the year.

If you want a change of scenery, from Kyoto