Prince Hotel BlogsOnce the capital of Japan, the ancient city of Kyoto is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Dating back more than a thousand years, Kyoto is famous for its autumnal canopies and springtime cherry blossoms, offering guests of the Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu seasonally shifting attractions and delights.
Regardless of the time of year you plan to visit this beautiful city, Kyoto is well worth the trip. With plenty of culture, cuisine and history to dive into, a stay at the Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu places you right in the heart of the action. This blog will outline some of the city’s most popular attractions, providing an entrance point into the history and culture of one of Japan’s most beautiful cities.
Dating back to the year 794, Kyoto is one of the oldest cities in Japan thanks to its originally being chosen as the seat of the country’s imperial court. The city was actually the capital of the country for the next 1100 years until 1889, when the Meiji Restoration, a political reformation, saw the capital city moved to Tokyo as the country began to modernise and take on Western modernisation techniques. Kyoto is one of the best cities in Japan for heritage, thanks to the fact that it was left generally untouched by the damage of World War II. This is one of the reasons why it has become such a popular tourist attraction and hotel in Kyoto so sought after.
Kyoto is teeming with cultural activities for tourists to enjoy. From relaxing spas to dazzling performing arts, Kyoto is teeming with enriching experiences.
Kyoto is famed for its flea markets, two of which are called Tenjin-san and Kobo-san. These take place on the 25th and 21st of every month respectively and have everything from antiques and ceramics to second hand clothes and street food. There are also antiques fairs and handicraft markets held throughout the month too, offering a glimpse into local Japanese arts and culture.
Kyoto’s five annual geisha – or geiko – dances take place in April, May and November and are an opportunity for guests of The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike to learn about the history of the geisha through traditional dances. Thought of in their early days as the celebrities of 18th century Japan, geishas were traditionally trained in arts such as music, dance and even poetry whilst also being well-revered hosts. Today, the distinctive stylings of geisha music and dance are honoured through these five performances throughout the year and act as a colourful glimpse into a much loved and highly cherished tradition in Japan.
As mentioned above, Kyoto’s ancient temples were spared from the destruction of World War 2, and so still stand today as symbols of Japan’s early empire. With over 2000 Buddhist temples and shinto shrines dating from 795 to 1868, many have made their way onto UNESCO world heritage site lists. We’ll talk about the most prominent of these below.
For a taste of Japanese culture, a visit to one of the many traditional Kyoto tea houses is the perfect place for sweet treats and Japanese tea. These vary in their tastes and ingredients, but gravitate towards grassy, nutty and above all, revitalising hot drinks. Teas on offer at many of the Kyoto tea houses include matcha green tea, sencha, kombucha and mugicha, each of which has its own distinct taste. Make sure to try out a traditional tea ceremony, reflecting the Japanese focus on hospitality.
There’s nothing quite like a Japanese bathhouse, and although you’ll find them all over the country, guests of hotels in Kyoto Japan will benefit from the city’s historic status when it comes to traditional variations. The bathhouses – or sento – are public baths that offer a way to relax and unwind, whilst also acting as a social hub. For a more luxurious experience, the Kyoto onsens, a type of natural hot spring, are also available across the city.
We’ve explored some of the more general activities you can enjoy in Kyoto, but what about specific landmarks and points of interest?
Located in the Nakagyo Ward of Kyoto, this 1603 dated castle was once the seat of government in Kyoto, and contains many pieces of Japanese art. The castle has particular significance as the spot at which the shogun order was abolished by the emperor. The intricate designs of the Ninomaru Palace, Hall of IMperial Emissary and Audience Hall are all well preserved and the castle in its entirety is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kyoto.
Harvest is in full bloom at all times of the year when visiting the Fushimi-Inaruis Taisha Shrine. Dating all the way back to the very founding of Kyoto, this beautiful shrine is dedicated to the goddess of rice-growing, Ukanomitama-no-mikoto. Still prayed to by farmers and merchants for prosperity, the shrine’s main building was built in 1499 and has a road leading up to it spanning 4 kilometres and festooned with bright orange arches named torii.
The Golden Pavilion is another tourist-heavy but must-see attraction that provides an insight into the richness of Japanese history. The stunning pavilion, also known as Kinkaku-ji was once a shogun retirement village, but has become a Buddhist temple dedicated to the culture of Zen. The pavilion overlooks a tranquil pond and woodland, also including a Sekkatei Teahouse that still serves customers today. Whilst visiting at any time of year is beautiful, the autumn leaves make for a particularly beautiful trip.
If the monkeys aren’t your thing, then the stunning views from atop the Arashiyama mountain will certainly take your breath away. Regardless, the 100 or so snow monkeys living within this park are beautiful animals that show how acclimated to human visitors the animals of Japan have become. The monkeys show no fear when approaching humans, which can be unnerving for the uninitiated!
Japan is seldom uttered in the same sentence as “cheap”, the country embodying everything from futurism to ancient history. The capital city of Tokyo can be very expensive to enjoy a vacation in if you don’t know how to budget. On the other hand though, returning guests of the Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu will probably know […]