Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

DISC OVERING JAP AN  13

2 Days in Kyoto

The former imperial capital
offers Japan’s best collection
of temples, palaces, shrines,
and gardens. Kyoto is a city
steeped in history and
tradition, where you can
spy geisha on the streets
and eat exquisitely
presented meals.
• Arriving Kansai International
Airport is 100 km (63 miles)
southwest of Kyoto, con-
nected to the city by a train
that takes just over one hour.
Kyoto Station is linked by The rock and raked-gravel garden at Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto
Shinkansen lines to Tokyo
and Nagoya to the east, Keihan. From here, ride the two a walled complex where you
and to Osaka, Fukuoka, and stops on the subway to Keage. can contemplate the artful
Hiroshima to the west. Admire the beautiful gardens at arrangement of a Zen garden
Konchi-in Temple (p175), then from the teahouse of the sub-
explore the precincts of neigh- temple Daisen-in (p177).
boring Nanzen-ji Temple (p175).
Day 1 Just north of this quintessential Afternoon Take the 15-minute
Morning Make your way to Zen temple is the start of the walk from Daitoku-ji to the
Higashiyama district (pp170– 2-km-(1-mile-) long Philosopher’s wooded hills of Kitayama,
71), on the eastern side of the Walk (p174). Should you need where you’ll find Kinkaku-ji
city, and the hillside perch of to rest, there are plenty of (p178), famous for its Golden
Kiyomizu-dera Temple (p172), teahouses along the way. The Pavilion surrounded by gardens
where the wooden terraces route ends at Ginkaku-ji (p175), and reflected in an ornamental
provide sweeping views across the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, pond. If you’ve time and energy
Kyoto. Wander down cobbled where the refined gardens are for one more temple, make it
Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka the star attraction. Ryoan-ji (p178), the location
toward Maruyama Park (p166), of Japan’s most famous and
a famous cherry-blossom Day 2 abstract Zen rock garden. The
viewing location. Pass through Morning Having booked a tour contrast with the dazzling
the vermilion gate of Yasaka with the Imperial Household opulence of Nijo Castle (pp164–
Shrine into Gion (p166), Kyoto’s Agency, enter the Kyoto 5), a short taxi ride back toward
geisha quarter, where there are Imperial Palace Park (p176) the center of Kyoto, couldn’t be
plenty of places for lunch. to admire its impressive stroll more acute. Having admired the
garden, with a delightful pond castle’s gorgeously decorated
Afternoon Admire the and arched bridge. Hop on interiors, end your day with a
wooden buildings lining the subway from Imadegawa meal and nightcap in Pontocho
Hanamikoji-dori on your way to Kitaoji, the closest stop for Alley (p166), an area where
to the subway station of Sanjo Daitoku-ji Temple (pp176–7), you’re sure to spot geisha
going about their business.
To extend your trip…
Arashiyama (p180) is a
beautiful wooded, riverside
district where the imperial
court retreated for
relaxation. Nara (pp194–7),
which pre-dates Kyoto
as imperial capital, has a
spectacular park that is
home to wooden temples
and a monumental bronze
Buddha. The Grand Shrine
at Ise (p202) is one of
Japan’s most sacred places.
Geisha in traditional costume in Potoncho Alley, Kyoto

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