{"id":7914,"date":"2017-05-16T10:15:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-16T10:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oomi.wpengine.com\/uncategorized\/top-6-must-see-attractions-in-kyoto-cultural-heart-of-japan\/"},"modified":"2023-08-17T23:16:07","modified_gmt":"2023-08-17T23:16:07","slug":"top-6-must-see-attractions-in-kyoto-cultural-heart-of-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oomitravel.com\/ja\/oomitravel-news\/top-6-must-see-attractions-in-kyoto-cultural-heart-of-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"TOP 6 MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS IN KYOTO, CULTURAL HEART OF JAPAN"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Kyoto,<\/p>\n

With a rich array of pristinely preserved castles, temples, shrines and tea houses, the ancient city of Kyoto is widely regarded as the cultural heart of Japan. For over a millennium, from 794 until 1868, Kyoto was the capital of Japan and seat of the Emperor. Kyoto was, in fact, spared the destruction that befell many other Japanese cities during World War 2 because of its incredible cultural wealth, and walking its narrow streets is like taking a journey back in time. While there\u2019s a huge range of things to see, do and experience in this vibrant city, here are our top six attractions.<\/p>\n

1. The Philosopher\u2019s Walk<\/h1>\n
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The Philosopher’s Walk is great for cherry blossom viewing.<\/p><\/div>\n

Kyoto is a great city to explore on foot and a stroll along the Philosopher\u2019s Walk is a particularly enrichening and invigorating experience. This 2.3km pedestrian path follows a cherry-tree-lined canal in Kyoto, between the Ginkaku-ji<\/em> and Nanzen-ji<\/em> temples, and a leisurely stroll along the banks will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.<\/p>\n

The Path is named after one of Japan’s most famous philosophers, Nishida Kitaro, who reputedly meditated while walking the route on his daily commute to Kyoto University.<\/p>\n

In early April, the cherry trees along the route explode into bloom, making this a great spot for hanami<\/em> or cherry blossom viewing.<\/p>\n

Click here to view the official cherry blossom forecast for Japan.<\/a><\/p>\n

2. The Golden Pavilion<\/h1>\n
\"Kinkaku-ji

The Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion<\/p><\/div>\n

Overlooking a serene pond and manicured Japanese gardens, the Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion is a stunning Zen temple in northern Kyoto. True to its name, the building is actually covered in gold leaf. The building was originally a retirement villa for the powerful shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his death and in accordance with his last wishes, the Pavilion was converted into a Zen temple for the Buddhist Rinzai sect in 1408.<\/p>\n

The building has, in fact, burnt down a number of times throughout history, including twice during the Onin War (1467\u20131477). It was most recently set ablaze by a mentally ill novice monk in 1950. The temple was painstakingly reconstructed and in 1994 became a UNESCO World Heritage site.<\/p>\n

Yukio Mishima\u2019s novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion<\/em> tells an intriguing, fictionalized account of the burning of the temple in 1950.<\/p>\n

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3. Japanese Tea Ceremony<\/h1>\n
\"Chado

Chado or tea ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Japanese Tea Ceremony or Chado<\/em> is a highly ritualised event that has its origins in Zen Buddhism. The ceremony involves the meticulous preparation and serving of green matcha tea, in which practically every movement is prescribed. The geisha of Kyoto are renowned for their skill at performing the ceremony and visitors can experience this unique ritual in a traditional teahouse.<\/p>\n

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4. Nijo Castle<\/h1>\n
\"Nijo

Nijo Castle<\/p><\/div>\n

Built in 1603, Nijo Castle was the Kyoto residence of the first shogun or military ruler of the Edo Period, Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Castle is widely regarded as one the best examples of Japanese feudal architecture and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.<\/p>\n

The Castle is surrounded by two formidable defensive circles that include unassailable stone walls and massive moats. Inside these defensive lines is the Ninomaru Palace. The buildings of the Palace are sumptuously decorated with tatami mat flooring, ornate ceilings and sliding screen doors.<\/p>\n

Underneath this rich decoration, however, lies some pretty innovative security measures. The so-called \u2018nightingale\u2019 floors of the Castle\u2019s corridors are designed to make a noise like a bird chirp when stepped upon to alert the inhabitants of intruders.<\/p>\n

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5. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine<\/h1>\n
\"Fushimi

The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine with its thousands of vermilion gates<\/p><\/div>\n

The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine is famous for its thousands of vermilion gates or torii. Predating the arrival of Buddhism from mainland Asia, Shinto was the original religion of Japan and the torii signify your entrance to sacred land. The origins of the shrine are shrouded in the mists of time, but we know that it predates the designation of Kyoto as Japanese capital in 794.<\/p>\n

The torii of Fushimi Inari-taisha straddle the trails that lead around the sacred forest of Mount Inari. Visitors begin their hike at the Senbon Torii (literally meaning \u2018Thousands of Torri Gates\u2019), where there are two parallel rows of densely packed gates that have been donated by individuals and companies. While the hike to the summit takes three hours, most visitors only venture to the midway point where there\u2019s a beautiful view of the city below.<\/p>\n

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6. The Ryoan-ji Temple<\/h1>\n
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The rock garden of the Ryoan-ji Zen Buddhist temple<\/p><\/div>\n

Dating to the 1400\u2019s, the Ryoan-ji Zen Buddhist temple is home to one of Japan\u2019s most intriguing rock gardens. The temple was originally an aristocrat\u2019s villa that was converted into a Zen complex in the 1400\u2019s. The meaning of the rectangular plot\u2019s raked pebbles and 15 jutting boulders has been the subject of debate for centuries. One school of thought interprets the scene as islands in a sea, while another views them as a tiger carrying cubs across a pond. There\u2019s no definitive answer and part of the experience is to interpret this Zen masterpiece for yourself. While the garden is designed to be seen from a variety of vantages, it\u2019s a curious fact that no matter where you view it from, one rock is always mysteriously obscured.<\/p>\n

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Kyoto Facts<\/h1>\n