Japan - Kyoto

Kyoto activities - What to do in Kyoto : Temples -  Architecture - Chill.

Good guidebooks for Kyoto :

Diary

Just arrived from Kamakura by the train, Kyoto surprised me : so peaceful, so quiet, and so close from the nature despite having 1.5 millions of population, and the tourism season of July.
Just a few cars compared to the population (like in Tokyo by the way) no klaxon noise, very clean, I felt almost alone if tour buses were not parked next to the Kinkaku-ji and the Nijo-jo (see in the pictures just below).

The train station :

Kyoto train station is interesting because of the original architecture with huge iron structure. If you stop here during rush hours, this place looks like a hive. At Kyoto, restaurants close early, so if you don't have time to look for one in the city, just know that a big part of the Kyoto train station is full of restaurants. At night, you won't see officer workers anymore but young and fashionable people. Kyoto train station becomes a meeting point to eat and hang out.

The lockers :

If, like me, you arrive before your guesthouse check-in time, or if you are in Kyoto only for the day, you can leave your baggage in these lockers. For 500 yens (the little one) or 700 yens (the big one) you will be free for 72hours ! And if I have a problem, will you tell me ? So I will answer you what did you do during 3 days ! Then, don't worry, your goods will be keeped until 30 days in the offices.

An Ice tea in McDonald's ?

No problem, they will give you just a plain cup of tea and you will understand the 2 boxes with it are not some sauce, but concentrated lemon juice and very sweet syrup.

The Kinkaku-ji :

If you don't have a lot of time in Kyoto, start by the golden temple, the Kinkaku-ji, wich is registred to UNESCO. It's part of paradise with a lot of nature covered with golden leaves. My advice : go on a sunny day, especially at the end of the afternoon. But note that it closes at 4.30pm. Anyway, the inside of the Kinkaku-ji is closed to the public..

If you're skillfull, you can try to throw a coin in the hole located in the middle of Buddha's statues.

Tips for you : Start from the left of the red line, and follow it, this path lead to temples, nature, and ends with the best : the Kinkaku-ji (see the picture above).

A cementery in Kyoto :

The traditional architecture of Kyoto :

Everywhere in Kyoto, you will see a lot of traditional houses, more often than Tokyo.

A beside road in Kyoto :

Nijo-jo castle:

Built 400 years ago, Nijo-jo castle lived through a big part of Japan's history, and, even if you can't take any pictures inside, go to visit it. Tiger painting to impress the visitors, and wooden floor noise, as you walk on them,  imitating birds noise when you're walking in it. It's a very important temple in a Japan history and a definitely a high point of your Kyoto's trip. Little anecdote, the shoes are forbidden on the inside, you have to visit with your socks or bare feet. Just avoid, like me, to go there with a pair of old sock with holes !

Above and below, the famous moat of Nijo-jo castle ( the white flying object? It's a bird !)

One entry of Nijo-jo castle :

The carved details (on the pictures) and the painting on the inside (restored until 2018 ) are impressive.

The garden is also a real paradise. The castle is registred to UNESCO since 1994.

If, like me, you like Japanese temples and their architecture, Kyoto is made for you !

A temple, again on my way.

To conclude, if you like visiting temples, get a bike (yes because Kyoto is quite big and there are no metro, or try to learn the Japanese line bus !) and if you like the nature, I  strongly recommended you to go to Kyoto and...

This amazing guesthouse where I stayed !

Located around 10 minutes by feet from the Kyoto train station, The owner is very friendly, very kind, and we can feel he's doing this with a lot of pleasure. Meals are regulary organized by the host for the travelers (we share the cost). Also you can have access to a huge kitchen and a huge living room. I can tell you one thing : It's pretty rare and this house is a pearl ! If you want to book this place don't hesitate to contact me ( obviously, I have nothing to earn by telling you this, except to share a good plan with you !).