Page 172 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

170  JAP AN REGION B Y REGION

9 Street-by-Street: Eastern
Gion and the Higashiyama

For most of Kyoto’s history, the area comprising the
Higashiyama (East ern Mountains) district lay outside the official
boundaries of the capital. As a result, it was always more rustic
and secluded. Furthermore, being separa ted from the main city
by the Kamo River, it was spared the fires that often ravaged
Kyoto. Consequently, Higashi yama remains one of the city’s Maruyama Park
most charming and unspoiled districts. The small area shown Kyoto’s most famous cherry-
blossom viewing site is mobbed
here includes the eastern side of the Gion, leading through until the petals fall.
some delightful stone-paved roads up to Kiyomizu Temple.

Kodai-ji was built in 1605
by the widow of Toyotomi
Hideyoshi in his memory.

D O R I
. Yasaka Shrine S H I J O -
On the edge of Kyoto’s central
shopping district, the Yasaka
Shrine (see p166) oversees the Central Kyoto N E – N E N O M I C H I
religious rites of the city’s main I S H I B E
festival, the Gion Matsuri, in July. K O J I

The southern exit of the Yasaka H I G A S H I - O J I - D O R I
Shrine, marked by concrete and
vermilion torii gates, leads to the
eastern part of the Gion district.

Ne-ne no Michi
Named after Hideyoshi’s
widow, “Ne-ne’s road” is a
. Ishibe-Koji Lane wide flagstone-paved
This charming lane with discreet inns avenue, home to small,
and teahouses is an extension of the upscale shops and private
Gion entertainment district (see p166). galleries. Long, stone
The ex quisite wooden buildings with staircases lead up from the
tiny gardens reflect the peaceful road to the temple of Kodai-
atmosphere of old Kyoto. ji and the Ryozen Kannon.
For hotels and restaurants see pp303–4 and pp329–30

170-171_EW_Japan.indd 170 08/08/16 3:07 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm