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Kyoto, one of many oldest municipalities in Japan, is situated simply half-hour away by speedy practice from Osaka. Thought-about the cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is a must-visit for first-timers touring to Osaka. Kyoto is dwelling to temples, shrines, palaces, and gardens, a few of which have been designated collectively as a World Heritage Web site by UNESCO.
On the third day of our household trip in Japan after visiting World Heritage sights in Nara and spending some free time biking round Osaka, we went to a number of high vacationer spots in Kyoto, together with the well-known Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the Fushimi Inari Shrine, two of town’s most photographed sights. Whereas there are numerous different locations you may go to round Kyoto, should you solely have a day to spare, it’s finest to choose just some key spots.
Kimono rental in Kyoto
Whereas it wasn’t a part of our sightseeing tour, my sister and I difficult our scheduled itinerary for the day by asking if we might lease conventional costumes for a couple of of our stops, which conflicted with our lunch plans.
There are lots of outlets that provide kimono and yukata for lease for vacationers, and Kyoto is a good place to strive it out due to the traditional landmarks. Kimonos are often product of silk, whereas yukata seek advice from the light-weight and extra informal robes for summer season months which are often produced from cotton or linen. These robes are historically worn with a sash (obi), Japanese sandals (zori), and particular socks (zobi).
Rental outlets often provide a spread of kinds and ranging equipment like sashes, hairpieces, and luggage which include extra charges, so it’s tough to decide on designs. The extra ornate robes can take some time to placed on and off and are exhausting to stroll in, so it’s finest to maintain it informal.
Due to time constraints, there was no time to get our hair styled and we had to return to the identical store to return the outfits, so our information Sachi needed to transfer round some elements of the tour so we might make it to our lunch cease.
After getting the rental costumes, we regrouped with the household and briefly stopped on the Kimono Forest, a group of gorgeous cylinder-shaped pillars framing the lane method to Randen tram station on Kyoto’s Keifuku Arashiyama line. This contemporary set up that showcases textiles dyed within the conventional type, was put in as a part of the renovation within the space in 2013.
Togetsukyo Bridge
We additionally stopped by the Togetsukyo Bridge, a 155-meter bridge constructed throughout the Katsura River, resulting in Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This space is claimed to be a preferred location for interval movies, because it appears timeless and free of contemporary sights from one space, although many outlets line the opposite facet of the highway.
Whereas dressed within the kimonos, we proceeded to a conventional Japanese restaurant for a bento-style lunch of beef, tempura, and soba noodles, a specialty within the area. The meals have been family-friendly and good for sharing.
For critical foodies who desire a extra distinctive and refined (although costlier) eating expertise, Kyoto is the birthplace of kaiseki ryori (kaiseki delicacies), a Japanese multi-course meal that highlights seasonal substances, conventional methods, and lovely presentation.
Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion)
After lunch, we made our method to Kinkaku-ji or Temple of the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple designated as a Nationwide Particular Historic Web site, a Nationwide Particular Panorama and considered one of 17 areas that make up the Historic Monuments of Historic Kyoto.
The highest two flooring of this temple are fully coated in gold leaf. The construction was stated to be constructed to echo the extravagant Kitayama tradition that developed within the rich aristocratic circles of Kyoto throughout Yoshimitsu’s occasions. Every flooring right here represents a special type of structure.
After viewing Kinkakuji from throughout the pond, we handed by the pinnacle priest’s former dwelling quarters (hojo) that are recognized for his or her painted sliding doorways (fusuma).
The trail as soon as once more handed by Kinkakuji from behind then leads by the temple’s gardens which have retained their unique design from Yoshimitsu’s days.
The gardens maintain a couple of different spots of curiosity together with Anmintaku Pond that’s stated to by no means dry up, and statues the place guests can throw cash for luck.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Then we made our method again to the primary path of the Bamboo Forest Grove of Arashiyama, a scenic pure forest with large bamboo bushes lined with pure pathways for vacationers.
That is considered one of Kyoto’s high sights for good cause. Standing beneath these hovering stalks of bamboo is like being transported into one other world.
As anticipated, the primary pathway can get very crowded with guests taking pictures, so we simply appeared for a transparent spot to the facet of the doorway for pictures.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
After returning our kimonos to the rental store, we headed to the Fushimi Inari-taisha, a conventional Shinto shrine recognized for its pathway of pink gates.
Fushimi Inari is the pinnacle shrine of the kami Inari Okami, the Japanese fox deity, and the Shinto god of rice. Most guests make it some extent to stroll by the vermillion torri gates to the primary shrine.
The shrine sits on the base of a mountain 233 meters above sea degree and should you take the paths additional up, you may attain Mount Inari. Those that have time can strive mountaineering as much as the summit of the mountain and again, which takes about 2-3 hours.
Since we have been touring with seniors and youngsters, we simply took the standard sightseeing route. We stopped for snacks on the meals stalls beneath as a result of children received hungry strolling round.
The stalls right here promote every part from Wagyu beef cubes, strawberries on skewers, okonomiyaki, potato twirls, and extra. You can too discover numerous souvenirs on the market right here, together with masks of the fox deity.
It was a enjoyable day of sightseeing with the household capped with sushi dinner in a restaurant at an arcade close to our lodge to rejoice Father’s Day.
Different sights to go to in Kyoto
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple – Buddhist temple
- Tofukuji Temple – Zen backyard and temple
- Rengeo-in (Saunjusangen-do Temple) – Buddhist Temple
- Nijo Fort – Fort
- Kyoto Imperial Palace – Historic landmark
- Nishiki Market
- Arashiyama Monkey park – Animal park
- Kurama Temple and Kifune Shrine
- Yasaka Shrine – Shinto shrine
- Samurai and Ninja Museum with expertise
- Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Finest native meals specialties in Kyoto
- Yuba (a tofu-like product produced from soybeans)
- Kyoto Sake
- Kyoto Soba (Buckwheat Noodles)
- Kyoto Sushi: Saba-Zushi (Mackerel Sushi)
- Tsukemono (Pickled Greens)
- Hamo (Conger Eel)
- Matcha Inexperienced Tea Desserts
- Yatsuhashi: Japanese Sweets
Tips on how to get to Kyoto from Osaka
For this latest journey, my household chartered a van/sightseeing tour coming from Osaka for the consolation of everybody within the group and to save lots of time from strolling in between stops since we had seniors and youngsters with us. On a earlier backpacking journey, we mad use of trains. In case you’re taking public transportation, the easiest way to journey between Osaka Station and Kyoto Station is by the Particular Fast service on the JR Kyoto Line.
The Particular Fast Practice will get you to Kyoto Station in 29 minutes for simply 560 yen. At Osaka Station, the Particular Fast trains depart from platforms 8, 9 and 10. These trains are coated by the Japan Rail Go. Whereas in Osaka, you may simply make use of buses to get round. In case you’re prepared to pay further, you can too take the bullet practice from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station. The journey lasts simply quarter-hour and prices 1,420 yen every.
The Keihan Primary Line is one other helpful line for commuters touring between Osaka and central Kyoto. A Restricted Categorical practice will get you from Yodoyabashi Station to Sanjo Station in 55 minutes for 410 yen. Nonetheless, because it’s a personal line, it isn’t coated by the JR Go.
The Hankyu Kyoto Primary Line offers the most cost effective route into central Kyoto from Osaka. Restricted Categorical trains run between Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station and Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station in central Kyoto in 44 minutes for simply 400 yen. This line additionally offers easy accessibility to vacationer sights in western Kyoto. It isn’t coated by the JR Go.
Learn extra concerning the totally different transportation choices right here.
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