Travelogue
Kyoto-shi which is officially chosen as the best city in the world, and has been featured at the top many times by international magazines, is the city I like the most in the world. I have been lots of countries but Japan has had the most biggest effect on me. It made me feel like in another world with its culture, nature & sakura views, traditional delights & cuisine and especially kind people. After I took that first step to Kyoto and started to explore this wonderful city, I easily realized that why this city was chosen as the best.
Kyoto is the cultural capital city of Japan. The city has well preserved its history and culture in the best way with hundreds of temples, palaces, gardens and architecture. And it is just an another reason to have its popularity among travelers. When it comes to temples, Kyoto appears in the minds first. Kiyomizudera, Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji are the most important temples which in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Also with thousands of Torii gates, Fushimi Inari-taisha is one of the most known temples.
Speaking of culture, Japan cuisine itself is a culture. With different kind of foods and serving presentations it Is the richest cuisines in the world and simply an art. In many cities in Japan, Kyoto has its own Michelin star restaurants. Also the street food definitely deserves a chance. Sushi, Ramen, Yakitori, Tempura, Onigiri are the most known foods. My personal favorite is definitely Okonomiyaki with delicious taste. Their healthy green tea, Matcha is one of the most famous drinks of Japan.
Also Kyoto is well known for its historic cultural festivals. Ali Matsuri, Gion Matsuri, Jidai Matsuri ve Gozan Okuribi are the most famous festivals in Kyoto.
Just walking in the streets of Kyoto, will allow you to observe the Japan culture closely.
Exploring Kyoto at spring, photographing sakura trees and smell those cherry blossoms, being a part of their religion with listening to silence and watching the flow of time in the temples, discovering tiny details in the streets and coming across to a Geisha, tasting amazing food, arriving to the summit of Fushimi Inari-taisha, going very early to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and enjoying the entire place on my own, watching the sunset in Kiyomizudera.. All of them were unforgettable for me. So I am looking forward to see this wonderful world again, hoping in an autumn season. And yes also for me, Kyoto is the best city.
To find out if Kyoto is your city, you can check some photos I took, right here.
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Local Guide
Kyoto has lots of impressive temples, gardens and structures to visit. Even you feel traveled enough, still there will be many places you never heard or you couldn’t visit because of lack of time. So you don’t need to rush yourself, enjoy the city! Here are the most popular attractions:
KINKAKU-JI: Known as The Golden Pavilion is a Zen Buddhist Temple and one of the most photographed places in Kyoto. The two floors are completely covered in gold leaf.
RYOAN-JI: The Temple of the Dragon at Peace, has the most famous dry Rock Garden in Japan. Thousands of visitors come to this temple just to see this garden. Also Ryoan-ji has a beautiful Zen Garden with a little pond which offers stunning views at spring.
KYOTO IMPERIAL PALACE: Before the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo, The Kyoto Imperial Palace used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868. It is located in the center of the city and has a beautiful park named Kyoto Imperial Park.
KIYOMIZUDERA TEMPLE: It was founded on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto. Its name come from the fall's pure waters. The most famous part of the temple is the wooden stage emerging from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. This stage affords visitors a nice view of thousands of colorful trees at spring & autumn and Kyoto city in the distance. After your visit, you can buy beautiful gifts from many lovely traditional souvenirs & food shops located outside of the temple, in the road which leads you to the temple.
FUSHIMI INARI-TAISHA: One of the important Shinto Shrines in Kyoto Prefecture. The shrine sits at the base of Inari mountain which is 233 metres above sea level. The shrine has thousands of Torii gates dedicated to Shinto god of rice, Inari. In the Yotsutsuji intersection, on the half way of climbing, you can enjoy the view of the city of Kyoto while resting your legs with the other visitors. The route lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari nearly take 2 hours to go up.
ARASHIYAMA DISTRICT & ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE: Arashiyama is one of the most aesthetically pleasing places of Kyoto. It is in the top preferred spots for photographers. In both spring and autumn, magnificent views show up with all colorful trees in the surrounding area as well as pleasure boats. Togetsukyo Bridge is the most iconic landmark of the region. Cycling is the best way to enjoy Arashiyama.
The most famous place in the area is surely Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which is a natural bamboo forest and one of the most photographed places in Kyoto. You will feel like in a dream while walking on the road that passes through the long bamboo trees where the sun occasionally leaks. You can buy promotional tour packages from here.
KYOTO TOWER: It is a rare modern landmark in the city which full of temples and shrines. Kyoto Tower is the tallest structure of Kyoto with 131 meters. From its observation deck visitors can enjoy 360 degree panorama of the city, even Osaka on clear days.
PHILOSOPHERS PATH: One of the most amazing hanami spots in Kyoto. The pleasant stone path with full of cherry blossom trees starts around Ginkakuji and ends in nearby of Nanzenji. The path gets its name due to Nishida Kitaro and Hajime Tanabe, one of Japan's most famous philosophers who were doing their practice meditation while walking this route. If you never stop you can finish the entire path in 30 minutes. But I am very sure you will spend at least 2 times more with exploring the surroundings and photographing!
GION: It is well known as Kyoto’s famous Geisha district. Gion has own unique traditional wooden houses which attracts tourists. You will go back to the past while strolling around the streets. You can buy promotional tours from here.
HIGASHIYAMA & HOKAN-JI TEMPLE: Higashiyama has a very big visitor number every day. With well preserved history, it is right choice to discover traditional old Kyoto. With the other name, Yasaka Pagoda is one of the most remembered tourist attractions in because of its district.
NISHIKI MARKET: Located in the center, Nishiki Market is full of smells of Japan. Besides fresh food, lots of sweets with different varieties, sushi, traditional Kyoto food and many kind of specialties are waiting for their buyers. Multiple shops allow their products to be tested by their customers and giving samples for free, like in the whole Japan markets.
MARUYAMA PARK: One of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Higashiyama District of Kyoto. In full bloom both day and night, the trees become spectacular. But especially at night, trees are illuminated and magical sceneries appears.
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