“Kyoto’s blend of old tradition and modern innovation represents Japan’s diverse cultural legacy. Ancient temples interlace past and present in Kyoto with its tranquil parks, modern architecture and thriving art scene. The delicious food and dedication to sustainability of this lively city give visitors a taste of Japan’s classical sophistication and progressive mindset.”
In Image: Fushimi Inari Taisha a Shino Shrine in Kyoto, Japan
If you got unique experiences with rich culture scenery history, then Kyoto, Japan, is the city that skillfully blends the ancient with the modern. Kyoto is considered the heart of Japanese tradition and culture, as the former capital of Japan. This essay explores the multitude of what Kyoto has to offer, from its colorful festivals to its rich culinary heritage and jaw-dropping temples and gardens. But Kyoto is the perfect spot for either spiritual enlightenment, cultivating a connection with nature, or even just a peaceful retreat in general.
Kyoto’s Historical Legacy
For over a millennium from 794 to 1868, Kyoto served as Japan’s capital during the Heian Period. The city’s numerous temples, shrines and traditional wooden homes are reminders of its long history. Kyoto is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritages, such as the famous Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji and Kinkaku-ji, which are also called Golden and Silver Pavilions respectively. Each of these places offers a glimpse of Kyoto’s rich cultural and religious legacy that has shaped the city through the ages.
In Image: The Golden Pavilion Temple
The Golden Pavilion, or Kinkaku-ji, may be the most famous structure in Kyoto. For years, this gold-leafed Zen Buddhist monastery’s reflection in the pond nearby has mesmerized visitors with its picture-perfect snapshot. Built in the 14th century as a retreat for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, Kinkaku-ji was transformed into a shrine. And it remains a symbol of Kyoto’s timeless beauty and spiritual significance today.
And where the Golden Pavilion is extravagantly, stunningly beautiful, the Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji, is something darker, but no less compelling. The understated elegance of the temple, with its immaculately maintained gardens — never clad as originally intended in silver, as well as lacquerware and other metal — speaks to wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic that emphasizes beauty in imperfection and transience.
Another spot you won’t want to skip is Kiyomizu-dera, known for its jutting wooden stage over the hillside, offering sweeping views of the city and woods beyond. The temple is thus most frequented in the foliage of autumn as well as spring, when cherry blossoms are in bloom, due to the colorful surrounding. Founded in 778, Kiyomizu-dera is a shrine to Kannon, the goddess of compassion and mercy, and has been a popular pilgrimage site since ancient times.
Kyoto’s Cultural and Spiritual Core
“Japan is often referred to as Japan’s spiritual center for good reason. More than 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, each serving its own history and the ethos of its region, can be found around the city. Visitors can experience Japan’s spiritual traditions, and sense the tranquility that generations of devotion and reverence have bestow at these holy sites.”
Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of the most important Shinto shrines in Kyoto, is known for the hundreds of crimson torii gates that trail up to the sacred Mount Inari. This temple is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, agriculture, and wealth. The torii gates, which were donated by individuals and businesses, symbolize thanksgiving and the hope for even greater benefits in the future. The tunnel of gates is a journey of meditation that transports you from the bustle of modern living to some other world.
Kyoto’s Unspoiled Beauty
In Image: The Beauty of Bamboo’s path in Japan
Japan is known for temples and shrines, but the city’s surrounding scenery does steal much of the show. Japan, which is nestled in a valley and encircled by mountains, offers plenty of opportunities to reconnect with the natural world, whether you’re walking its delightful rivers, hiking its picturesque trails or visiting its beautiful gardens.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove | most popular nature site in Kyoto Nestled outside of the city limits, this serene grove of tall bamboo stalks creates an otherworldly, calming, and inspirational vibe. As you walk through the grove, the only sound to disturb the silence is the rustling of the bamboo leaves — and you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another world.
In addition to the bamboo forest, Arashiyama also has several other natural and cultural landmarks like the Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Temple and the Iwatayama Monkey Park. Fall is especially beautiful in the region, when the brilliant crimson and gold leaves of the maple trees contrast well with green bamboo.
Kyoto’s Gourmet Treasures
In Image: Japanese Spring Roll Food
Partaking in Japan’s world-famous food scene would be high on any must-do list of activities in the country. Kyoto is famous for kaiseki food, which has multiple courses that showcase the use of fresh ingredients, meticulous preparation and beautiful presentation. Kaiseki, a type of high-end cuisine once served to the nobles in Kyoto, continues to be emblematic of the city’s sophisticated culinary scene.
A traditional kaiseki dinner consists of several small plates that are expertly prepared to highlight the natural flavors of the raw ingredients. Sashimi, grilled salmon, tempura, simmered vegetables and delicate sweets are some of the meals that could be served during a course. All is laid out beautifully on fine porcelain and lacquerware. The Gion neighborhood is home to some of the finest kaiseki — a traditional, multicourse Japanese meal — in Kyoto, with diners often seated in tatami rooms overlooking serene gardens.
Holidays and Customs
All year round, Japan honors its rich cultural inheritance with a variety of festivals and ritualistic events. These festivities offer a unique opportunity to participate with the community and experience the vibrant traditions of the city.
One of the city’s most famous festivals is the Gion Matsuri, celebrated each July. One of the oldest and most important ceremonies in Japan is held here, the festival lasts a full month and dates back to the 9th century. The Gion Matsuri, Kyoto’s most famous annual celebration, includes its main event: the Yamaboko Junko, a stunning procession of elaborately decorated floats through streets of the city. The festival also includes tea ceremonies, food vendors selling regional specialties, and performances of traditional music and dance.
Aoi Matsuri, which is in May, has also be a major event in Japan. Initially celebrated in the sixth century, the festival honors the deities of the Kamo Shrines. But the Aoi Matsuri’s star draw is a procession of more than 500 people in Heian-era costumes that travel between the Imperial Palace and the Kamo Shrines. The event gives a eye-catching display of the old traditions in Kyoto.
Kyoto’s Exquisite Seasonal Beauty
In Image: Kyoto’s Beautiful Houses
Japan is a destination for all seasons, with a different beauty and experience available in each. Many festivals take place to celebrate the changing of the seasons, be it food or the architecture of its temples and gardens that also reflects the time of year, giving you a different face of the city at different times of the year.
- Spring — Sakura or cherry blossoms are a spring symbol in Japan. From late March to early April the cherry trees bloom, flooding the city with shades of pink and white. Popular spots for hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, include the Philosopher’s Path, the gardens of Heian Shrine and Maruyama Park. Hanami events and night-time illuminations, in which cherry blossoms are lit up, also take place throughout the city at this time of year to lend this magical atmosphere.
- Summer: Bright festivals and lush greenery greet you in summer months in Japan. As stated before, Gion Matsuri is the highlight of the summer season. Besides the festival, the summertime is a great time to enjoy the city’s scenery and surrounding area, from hikes in the nearby mountains to visiting the many gardens, including the Shugakuin Imperial Villa and the Kyoto Botanical Gardens. The brisk interiors of Japan’s temples and the riversides of Arashiyama offer relief from the summer heat.
- Fall: Autumn might be Japan’s most visually dramatic season, as the city’s temples and gardens are awash in deep shades of crimson, orange and gold. The fall leaves or “koyo” is what brings tourists from around the world and Japan itself. Some of the best spots to view fall foliage are the area around Kiyomizu-dera, Eikando Temple and Tofuku-ji Temple. Unique illuminations that many temples present at night during the fall season double the gorgeous beauty of the surroundings.
- Winter: Winter in Japan is a time of reflection and understated beauty. When draped in snow, the city’s temples and shrines take on a hushed, almost ethereal quality. Winter is off-peak travel season, but it provides a great chance to explore Japan’s peace and quiet devoid of the masses. One of the major observed festivals in Japan is Shogatsu, or the New Year. Temples in the city, such as Fushimi Inari Taisha and Yasaka Shrine, are beloved places to visit for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. Kyoto’s seasonal dishes of yudofu (hot tofu) and nabe (hot pot) are particularly delicious during the winter and offer warmth and cosiness throughout the cold months.
Seeing the Neighborhoods of Kyoto
In Image: Encouraging Neighbors In Japan
Kyoto is a layered city; each neighborhood has its own character and distinctiveness. Each district of Kyoto is a journey, between contemporary art galleries and bustling bazaars, to ancient shrines and traditional tea houses, it also reflects the beauty of time travel.
- Gion: Kyoto’s most famous neighborhood is Gion, which is closely associated with traditional Japanese culture and the world of the geisha — or geiko, as it’s referred to in Kyoto’s dialect. Gion is flanked by pockets of wellpreserved old wooden machiya houses, many of them now tea rooms and restaurants and shops. At night, a geiko or a maiko (apprentice geiko) can be seen heading to a gig. Kawaramachi Street is also home to some of Kyoto’s most renowned culture sites like Minami-za Kabuki Theater and Yasaka Shrine.
- Higashiyama: The Higashiyama neighborhood of eastern Kyoto is one of the most fairytale neighborhoods in the city. Some of Kyoto’s most famous temples are located in this see-and-be-seen ancient downtown neighborhood: Don’t miss Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji, as well as shops selling Kyoto crafts and sweets. Higashiyama’s serpentine, narrow alleyways are a charming stroll, especially during the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons. The streets are lined with wooden houses and stone lanterns.
- Arashiyama A tranquil suburb of Kyoto to the west, Arashiyama is more wilderness than urban. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is probably the area’s most famous draw, but there’s also more to see, including the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji Temple that’s also included. In the fall, the maple trees lining the river and up in the surrounding mountains explode with fiery shades of red and orange, making Arashiyama extra gorgeous.
- Kyoto Center: A wide variety of distinct traditional and modern center attractions are located in central part of Kyoto. Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Kyoto International Manga Museum are also within 3 miles (5 km). The Central Nishiki Market, also called “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” is a spacious area offering a wide array of local dishes and goods to wander through and either windows shop for free. The opportunity to explore the urban part of the city at its outskirts as well is a fantastic experience, since much of the historic sites of Kyoto are all close by.
- Nishijin: The textile industries in Kyoto locate on the north west Nishijin of the town from the early period. This area is famous for Nishijin-ori, a silk weaving technique that has been produced in Kyoto for more than a millennium. In addition to watching demonstrations and touring workshops, visitors can purchase high-end kimonos and obi (sashes) crafted from Nishijin silk. One of the temple and garden area with more a couple of upmarket area with culture.
- The south part of Kyoto City is known for its numerous sake breweries and the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Fushimi is one of the most important sake brewing areas of Japan, and the topography of the area (and its mineral rich underground spring water) is ideal for sake production. In Fushimi you can sample many different varieties of sake and discover how it is produced at any of the numerous breweries, most of them open for tours and tastings. There are also relaxing boat trips on the Horikawa River, and tours of the region’s historical sake cellars.
Kyoto’s Handicrafts and Art
Kyoto has historically been a center for traditional Japanese arts and crafts, and many of the most respected craftspeople in the country live and work here. Kyoto’s crafts, from lacquerware to calligraphy, textiles and pottery, are a key part of the city’s cultural legacy, and allow visitors to take home a piece of Kyoto’s past.
In Image: Japanese Handicraft Umberlla
- Kiyomizu-yaki: Kiyomizu-yaki refers to pottery that has long been produced in Kyoto, and is one of the city’s most recognizable crafts. Over the years kyo-yaki developed into a traditional tableware used for tea bowls and sake cups, with delicate motifs hand-painted onto each piece, known as Kiyomizu-yaki. Around Kiyomizu-dera Temple, there are various Kiyomizu-yaki studios where guests can try their hand at pottery-making, or purchase beautiful items to bring home.
- Yuzen Dyeing Kyoto is famous for its advanced weaving and dyeing techniques, most notably Kyo-yuzen, a type of resist dyeing process whereby intricate patterns are printed on silk cloth. Used for kimonos and obi, among others, kyo-yuzen. It’s a multi-step process that involves pattern-making, apply resist paste to the cloth, dyeing, and embellishing pieces with embroidery or gold leaf. At workshops in the Nishijin neighborhood, visitors can learn about this centuries-old skill and even get their hands dirty dyeing a piece of cloth.
- Lacquerware: Lacquerware, or urushi as it is called in Japanese, is another traditional craft from Kyoto. The famed lacquered bowls, trays and boxes from the city are often enhanced with golden or silver motifs. Kyoto lacquerware is prized for its durability and smooth surface, which are achieved by applying multiple layers of lacquer over several months. You can find beautiful lacquerware pieces in Kyoto’s specialty shops, and the city’s workshops detail the intricate process.
- Traditional Calligraphy: Kyoto has been a haven for calligraphers and scholars. Calligraphy, or shodo, is a highly respected discipline in Japan. Kyoto’s temples and shrines can be dotted with neat handwriting, and calligraphy lessons are available for those who want to learn the basics of this meditative art. You can learn more about Japanese aesthetics and philosophy through calligraphy, whether you write a simple character or create a more complex composition.
- Ikebana: Flower arrangement, or ikebana, is another centuries-old tradition that Kyoto has honed over the decades. [Read more about flower arrangements in the West, which value color and richness, by comparison.
Bana represents harmony, balance and simplicity. Ikebana is closely tied to Zen Buddhism, and several temples in Kyoto hold workshops and exhibitions. In participating in an ikebana session, visitors can witness the process behind the process of forming the flowers into arrangements that speak of nature and the changing of the seasons.
Tourists enjoy this city to see its contrast of modernism and, at the same, what makes Japan alive in its culture with fragile coexistence of past and present. From its ancient temples and time-honored crafts, seasonal customs and gastronomical pleasures, Kyoto is a feast for the senses, an indelible impression on every traveler. Kyoto slows you down and reminds you of the beauty of life in its simplest, most profound forms — in a bamboo grove, in a matcha tea shop, among the autumn leaves of a Zen garden.
Kyoto’s Ageless Allure
“Nowhere is this beckoning more alive than in Kyoto, where every instant invites you to subsume yourself into the verdant matrix of Japanese civilization and history and nature and craftsmanship, because it’s impossible to disentangle where one ends and the next begins.” “Whether as a first-time tourist, or a returning traveler to explore yet another facet of the city — if there’s one unchanging aspect, it’s that the charms of the city will leave indelible impressions on your traveling hearts, just enough to last a lifetime.”