Enjoyable Kyoto Sightseeing
Kyoto is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Kyoto is famous for being a place where visitors can experience traditional Japanese culture and attracts many tourists from all over Japan. Kyoto tourism is characterizing by traditional architecture, beautiful gardens, famous food and drink, traditional crafts, and the beauty of the four seasons. The reason why people enjoy visiting Kyoto again and again is its fascinating scenery, experiences, and the warmth of its people. We encourage you to experience these attractions when you visit Kyoto.
Traditional Architecture
Sightseeing in Kyoto is a favorite destination for many people. This is because the history and culture of the ancient capital remain intact, and you can enjoy temples, shrines, traditional crafts, and delicious food. In addition, there are beautiful sceneries with different expressions in each season. In this article, we will provide an overview of the charms of sightseeing in Kyoto.
Kyoto is home to many beautiful temples and shrines. These buildings are attracting attention from all over the world as symbols of traditional Japanese beauty. Historical buildings dating back to ancient times are beautiful and mysterious in their style and carvings.
The Beauty of Temples and Shrines
Temples and shrines in Kyoto offer beautiful sights to visitors. Many people are intereste in them because they are existing since prehistoric times and their history and traditions can be fell. In particular, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-dera Temple, and Heian-jingu Shrine are attracting attention from all over the world as architectural symbols of Japanese beauty.
Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of the most famous temples in Kyoto, with a history of over 700 years. Especially famous is the observatory called “Kiyomizu-no-butai” (stage of Kiyomizu) on top of the building, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city. It is also a popular spot for many tourists during the beautiful cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage season in fall.
Kinkakuji Temple
Built in 1397, Kinkakuji Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple, also known as “Rokuonji Temple” because of its beauty. The temple is loved by many, especially for its eye-catching gold leaf exterior that reflects the sunlight. It is a popular spot for many tourists because of its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall.
Heian Jingu Shrine
Heian Jingu was designed by Seiki Kuroda, a musician and educator, and built in 1895. It incorporates the traditional architectural style of the Heian period and is loved by many people for its beauty. It is a popular spot for many tourists, especially during the beautiful cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage season in fall.
Traditional architecture is one of the most important spots not to be missed when sightseeing in Kyoto. Why not take a walk in Kyoto and enjoy the ancient historical buildings and beautiful scenery?
Beautiful Gardens
Kyoto is home to many wonderful gardens. Each garden has its own unique characteristics and attracts tourists.
Okazaki Park is famous for its cherry blossoms. In spring, many people come to enjoy the cherry blossoms. People are often seen picnicking with their lunch boxes. Nearby is Heian Shrine, where visitors can enjoy historical buildings and scenery.
The gardens of the Kyoto Imperial Palace offer beautiful scenery of buildings and gardens associated with the imperial family. Visitors can enjoy the scenery in each of the four seasons, which is especially beautiful during the season of autumn leaves. The ponds, stone walls, and karesansui (dry landscape garden) amidst the trees all around are a beauty worth seeing.
Maruyama Park is a simple and beautiful garden. There is a large pond in the garden, and the seasonal flowers in bloom are breathtaking. There is also an island in the pond, which is even more beautiful during the fall foliage season. There are also art galleries and museums in the vicinity for cultural sightseeing.
There are many other gardens in Kyoto. Gardens in Kyoto offer beautiful views of nature and man-made structures. The changes of the seasons and the historical and cultural aspects of the city are one of the attractions of sightseeing in Kyoto.
Famous Food and Drink
I’m going to write some fun facts about famous foods and drinks.
Kyoto is a treasure house of gourmet food. Let’s start by filling your stomach. In Kyoto, there are many delicious dishes. Famous examples include dashimaki tamago (rolled egg), oden, and Sanuki udon. Dashimaki Tamago (rolled egg) is also available in Osaka, but it has a flavor unique to Kyoto. Oden, which is made with a special broth, is also great when enjoyed with sake. Sanuki udon is characterized by its firmness and smooth texture. These dishes can be enjoyed anywhere, but they are exceptional when eaten in Kyoto. Kyoto is also a major producer of wagashi (Japanese confectionaries). Be sure to taste the wide variety of wagashi available.
After dinner, enjoy tea and sake. Matcha (powdered green tea) is an essential part of Kyoto’s culture. There are many matcha dishes available, including sweets made with matcha and matcha lattes. Sake also has a flavor unique to Kyoto. In particular, sake from the area around Fushimi Inari Shrine is said to be exceptionally delicious. Please relax your mind with a delicious sake.
Another point to note is Kyoto vegetables. Kyoto has delicious vegetables in every season. For example, there is “Kyo-red turnip” in spring, “cucumber” in summer, “Kyo-kabura” in autumn, and “Kyo-rakkyo” in winter. In Kyoto, vegetables are often prepared in a simple way, making the most of their natural flavors, so that the original taste of the vegetable can be enjoyed.
The above is an introduction to Kyoto’s food culture. When you come to Kyoto, please eat a lot of delicious food and create wonderful memories.
Shopping for Traditional Crafts
Japanese traditional crafts have a long history and are famous for their beauty and quality. In Kyoto, you can get a variety of traditional crafts such as ceramics, wagashi (Japanese confectionery), and junihitoe (a type of kimono).
Ceramics are a testament to the Japanese sense of beauty, and the time-consuming and painstakingly crafted vessels make dining more enjoyable. Ceramics can also be used as interior decorations, creating a stylish and beautiful atmosphere when arranged in a cupboard.
Wagashi are loved by many people for their beauty of appearance and depth of flavor. In particular, wagashi from Kyoto often use seasonal fruits, and each one is as beautiful as a work of art.
The junihitoe is a costume worn by aristocratic women, and great care is taken in its size and sewing. Because of its complicated shape, it takes time to make, but it is still popular today as a garment that is comfortable to wear and enhances beauty.
Shopping for traditional crafts in Kyoto is a wonderful experience. You can look around at all the beautiful pieces and enjoy them at your leisure until you find the one that is just right for you.
Four Beautiful Seasons
Kyoto has four beautiful seasons. In spring, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and many people come to Kyoto to see them. Women in cute kimonos can be seen taking pictures amidst the dancing petals of the cherry blossoms. In summer, visitors can also enjoy Kyoto’s fresh greenery, which is still little known. Even a little bit of greenery can make you feel the season. In autumn, the trees change colors and you can admire the beautiful scenery. And in winter, snow piles up, creating a white landscape. It is no exaggeration to say that such scenery is a typical winter scene in Japan.
People can experience a different season each time they visit Kyoto. A year-round tourist destination
