Kyoto, one of many oldest municipalities in Japan, is situated simply half-hour away by speedy practice from Osaka. Thought of 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 the town’s most photographed points of interest. Whereas there are numerous different locations you may go to round Kyoto, for those who solely have a day to spare, it’s finest to select just some key spots.
Kimono rental in Kyoto
Whereas it wasn’t a part of our sightseeing tour, my sister and I sophisticated our scheduled itinerary for the day by asking if we may lease conventional costumes for a couple of of our stops, which conflicted with our lunch plans.
There are lots of retailers that supply kimono and yukata for lease for vacationers, and Kyoto is a superb place to attempt it out due to the basic landmarks. Kimonos are normally product of silk, whereas yukata discuss with the light-weight and extra informal robes for summer time months which might be normally constituted of cotton or linen. These robes are historically worn with a sash (obi), Japanese sandals (zori), and particular socks (zobi).
Rental retailers normally supply a variety of kinds and ranging equipment like sashes, hairpieces, and luggage which include further charges, so it’s troublesome to decide on designs. The extra ornate robes can take some time to placed on and off and are laborious 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 may 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 lovely cylinder-shaped pillars framing the lane approach 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 alleged to be a well-liked location for interval movies, because it seems timeless and free of recent points of interest from one space, although many retailers line the opposite aspect of the street.
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 severe foodies who need 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 components, conventional strategies, and beautiful presentation.
Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion)
After lunch, we made our approach 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 one among 17 areas that make up the Historic Monuments of Historical Kyoto.
The highest two flooring of this temple are utterly lined 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 instances. Every ground right here represents a special type of structure.
After viewing Kinkakuji from throughout the pond, we handed by the top priest’s former residing 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 way of 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 approach again to the primary path of the Bamboo Forest Grove of Arashiyama, a scenic pure forest with big bamboo timber lined with pure pathways for vacationers.
That is one among Kyoto’s high sights for good purpose. Standing below 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 aspect 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 crimson gates.
Fushimi Inari is the top 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 way of the vermillion torri gates to the primary shrine.
The shrine sits on the base of a mountain 233 meters above sea degree and for those who take the paths additional up, you may attain Mount Inari. Those that have time can attempt climbing 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 same old sightseeing route. We stopped for snacks on the meals stalls under as a result of youngsters acquired hungry strolling round.
The stalls right here promote every part from Wagyu beef cubes, strawberries on skewers, okonomiyaki, potato twirls, and extra. You too can 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 resort to have fun Father’s Day.
Different points of interest 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 constituted of 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
How one can get to Kyoto from Osaka
For this current 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 the event you’re taking public transportation, one of the best ways to journey between Osaka Station and Kyoto Station is by the Particular Speedy service on the JR Kyoto Line.
The Particular Speedy Practice will get you to Kyoto Station in 29 minutes for simply 560 yen. At Osaka Station, the Particular Speedy trains depart from platforms 8, 9 and 10. These trains are lined by the Japan Rail Move. Whereas in Osaka, you may simply make use of buses to get round. In the event you’re keen to pay additional, 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 Foremost 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 non-public line, it’s not lined by the JR Move.
The Hankyu Kyoto Foremost 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 points of interest in western Kyoto. It’s not lined by the JR Move.
Learn extra in regards to the completely different transportation choices right here.
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