KYOTO
Located near the major industrial city of Osaka, Kyoto is situated in the middle of Honshu, the largest of the Japanese islands. Kyota was until 1868 the capital of Japan and is in a region rich in cultural heritage. Its home to many classical Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces and gardens. The Gion district is a must-see area of streets and alleyways lined with traditional wooden houses, restaurants and bars. The area is synonymous with Geisha girls and night-time entertainment. Tourists often dress in hired kimonos to immerse themselves in the local culture.
We used Kyoto as a base, with day trips out to the majestic Himedji Castle and to Nara, the site of the Todai-ji Temple with its giant statue of the Buddha and the free-roaming deer. However, there is so much to see and do in Kyoto itself and we only scratched the surface of the attractions on our list – a great reason to return! It’s a big call, but Kyoto may just be our new favourite city.
Kyoto’s Gion District
The Gion district is situated to the East of the Kamo river and is easily accessible by public transport. We stayed in the Good Nature Hotel, an ultra-modern and eco-frinedly hotel, a short distance from the heart of Gion.
Cross the Kamo River, walk up the Shijo Dori road towards the Yasaka Shrine and you’ll soon come to Hanami Lane, a narrow street filled with traditional Japanese architecture.
The Gion district is full of small shrines, all beautiful in their own right. Just be careful not to spend too long at each one, as you’ll soon run out of time. We suggest making your way to the 1,350-year-old Yasaka Shrine precinct, where you’ll find many spiritual buildings, souvenir shops, food stalls and public gardens.
From there, you can wind your way through the narrow streets to the Ninen Zaka Path, a quaint lane filled with traditional tea houses.
Traditional Tea Ceremony
The Kinkaku-ji Temple
This Zen temple is commonly known as the Golden Pavilion, as the top two levels are completely covered in gold leaf. The temple is set among small lakes and beautiful gardens and is about a 45-minute bus ride from central Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion is one of the top two spiritual attractions in Kyoto and definitely worth a visit. The other is the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, "the Temple of the Red Gates", which we unfortunately never had time to see - a great excuse to return!
???????The Gion District at Night
We stayed just a short walk away from the Kamo River in the heart of the Gion district, and the bustling nightlife along its banks. The narrow streets are lined with a myriad of small bars and restaurants – an amazing atmosphere among the hustle and the delicious smells coming from the kitchens. Enjoying a cold drink and a plate of canapes at a riverside bar at sunset was a great way to relax after a long day of sightseeing.
On our last night in Kyoto, we joined the locals on the grassy riverbank and reflected on our time in this wonderful city. Gion at night is a great experience, so make sure that your itinerary includes at least one overnight stay in Kyoto.