KANSAIKansai means “west of the barrier.” Never mind that mid-20th century administrations changed the area name to “Kinki”; the Japanese still prefer to call the province by its feudal name of Kansai. It’s easy to see why : Among the seven prefectures it covers are Kyoto and Nara, the very cradles of Japanese civilization. Founded more than 1,200 years ago, Kyoto is still the nation’s prime temple town and its greatest repository of traditional culture. Among the temples in slightly older Nara are some of the oldest wooden buildings still standing on Earth. Small wonder, then, that Kansai boasts the most popular tourist destinations in Japan.
In Mie-ken Kansai’s eastern confines is Isejingu, the main shrine of Shinto for nearly 1,800 years. Founded in 552, Asuka was Yamato’s first capital; Nara became the new capital in 710. The grandest old city was Kyoto. Founded in 794, it remained the imperial capital for over a millennium; its wealth of historical and cultural assets make it the single greatest tourist destination in Japan. |
1. Kyoto |
|
Kyoto has everything visitors could wish for, with more than 1,800 temples, hundreds of shrines, historical buildings and neighborhoods, famous gardens, and beauty spots among wooden hills. As Japan’s seventh largest city, however, Kyoto has not escaped some redevelopment, especially to the south. The Kyoto Station building, completed in 1997 with a colossal central concourse and shopping mall is architecturally impressive, but you emerge from it into a modern city as nondescript as any. You need not to go very far, however, to find traditional beauty.
The center of Kyoto is a modern city with main shops and amusements. It includes a few sights, notably Nishi Hongan-ji Temple and Nijo-jo Castle. Crossing over the Kamo-gawa River to the east, you discover traditional Kyoto. Eastward from the old geisha district of Gion you can stroll uphill through venerable streets to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, walking along the canal on the Path of Philosophy up to Ginkaku-ji. To the north lie such sights as Kinkaku-ji and nearby Ryoan-ji, with its world-famous Zen rock garden. Westward and north of the Katsura-gawa River is hilly Arashiyama, where many more temples nestle in sylvan settings of bamboo, cherries, and maple trees.
Kyoto is also renowned for the quality of its handicrafts and its cuisine.
The center of Kyoto is a modern city with main shops and amusements. It includes a few sights, notably Nishi Hongan-ji Temple and Nijo-jo Castle. Crossing over the Kamo-gawa River to the east, you discover traditional Kyoto. Eastward from the old geisha district of Gion you can stroll uphill through venerable streets to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, walking along the canal on the Path of Philosophy up to Ginkaku-ji. To the north lie such sights as Kinkaku-ji and nearby Ryoan-ji, with its world-famous Zen rock garden. Westward and north of the Katsura-gawa River is hilly Arashiyama, where many more temples nestle in sylvan settings of bamboo, cherries, and maple trees.
Kyoto is also renowned for the quality of its handicrafts and its cuisine.
2. Higashiyama walk
This was taken in several of Kyoto’s best known sights; allow extra time if you plan to visit any of the places on the way. It will probably take a full day to follow the route and stop off for sightseeing and refreshments. If you are in a hurry, be sure not to miss Kiyomizu-dera and Chion-in Temples.
From Gojozaka bus stop, walk up Gojozaka slope, veering right for 550 yards (500km) up to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto’s most famous landmark. The temple buildings were erected in 1633; perched on pillars on top of the cliff, the main hall is designated a National Treasure. Having admired the view from up here, particularly beautiful in the cherry blossom season, wander down the narrow lane called Kiyomizu-zaka. The number of craft and souvenir stores here is overwhelming; 19thcentury Western visitors did not dub the street “Tea-pot Alley” for nothing. At the bottom turn to you right down Sannen-zaka and on to Ninnen-zaka slope.
To your left is the five-story,128-foot-high (39m) Yasaka-jinja Pagoda, built by the shogun Yoshinori Ashikaga in 1440. Follow the street on your right to Kodai-ji Temple, which dates from 1606. The grounds include an elegant garden, and the screens inside the buildings are decorated with fine paintings. Proceed north 650 yards (600m), then cross through Maruyama-koen Park, a Kyoto favorite containing several landscaped gardens. At the end visit magnificent Chion-in Temple, with its fine 17th-century buildings on a colossal scale.
From Gojozaka bus stop, walk up Gojozaka slope, veering right for 550 yards (500km) up to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto’s most famous landmark. The temple buildings were erected in 1633; perched on pillars on top of the cliff, the main hall is designated a National Treasure. Having admired the view from up here, particularly beautiful in the cherry blossom season, wander down the narrow lane called Kiyomizu-zaka. The number of craft and souvenir stores here is overwhelming; 19thcentury Western visitors did not dub the street “Tea-pot Alley” for nothing. At the bottom turn to you right down Sannen-zaka and on to Ninnen-zaka slope.
To your left is the five-story,128-foot-high (39m) Yasaka-jinja Pagoda, built by the shogun Yoshinori Ashikaga in 1440. Follow the street on your right to Kodai-ji Temple, which dates from 1606. The grounds include an elegant garden, and the screens inside the buildings are decorated with fine paintings. Proceed north 650 yards (600m), then cross through Maruyama-koen Park, a Kyoto favorite containing several landscaped gardens. At the end visit magnificent Chion-in Temple, with its fine 17th-century buildings on a colossal scale.
3. Nara
Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara. As the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784. Nara is located less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, it remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples.
Occupying the northeastern quarter of the city are the 1,235 acres (500 ha) of Nara-koen Park. Nara Park (Nara Koen) is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of many of Nara's main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. The park is home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods, Nara's nearly 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city and have been designated a natural treasure. Like the deer on Miyajima, Nara's deer are surprisingly tame, although they can be rather aggressive if they think you will feed them. Deer crackers are for sale around the park, and some deer have learned to bow to visitors asking to be fed.
According to the legendary history of Kasuga Shrine, a mythological god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijō-kyō. Since then the deer have been regarded as heavenly animals, protecting the city and the country. Tame deer roam through the town, especially in Nara Park. Snack vendors sell "shika sembei" (deer biscuits) to visitors so they can feed the deer.
Occupying the northeastern quarter of the city are the 1,235 acres (500 ha) of Nara-koen Park. Nara Park (Nara Koen) is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of many of Nara's main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. The park is home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods, Nara's nearly 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city and have been designated a natural treasure. Like the deer on Miyajima, Nara's deer are surprisingly tame, although they can be rather aggressive if they think you will feed them. Deer crackers are for sale around the park, and some deer have learned to bow to visitors asking to be fed.
According to the legendary history of Kasuga Shrine, a mythological god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijō-kyō. Since then the deer have been regarded as heavenly animals, protecting the city and the country. Tame deer roam through the town, especially in Nara Park. Snack vendors sell "shika sembei" (deer biscuits) to visitors so they can feed the deer.