Kyoto
17 Jul 2005
In July, Japan has a national holiday; Marine Day, hence a long weekend. Kyoto was on our list of places to visit, and since the Gion Matsuri festival would take place in this weekend, the decision was quickly made. We would take the night train to Kyoto, and fly back. That way we would make maximum use of our time. Unfortunately the action to actually book the transportation and accomodation was taken a little bit too late. So there was a festival, but that doesn't mean that all hotels would be full.... does it?!. Yes, it does. We called lots of hotels, but no luck. Finally we booked a hotel in Osaka, 30 minutes by train from Kyoto. There was no other way, we wanted to see the festival and the train and plane were booked. We were on the waiting list of Kyoto's Cheapest Inn, and one day before we left, they sent an e-mail stating that we had a reservation. Early check in was no problem, which was great, since this meant that we could take a shower after the trip with the night train. The train ride was very comfortable, a private cabine with bunk beds, and the bottom bed could be converted in two chairs and a table. After a 12 hour train ride, we arrived at 8am in Kyoto. Kyoto Cheapest Inn turns out to be one big room, with about 20 bunkbeds, 3 toilets and 3 showers. It is not what we expected, but is it new, clean and centrally located, so we're not complaining.
After out well deserved shower, we hit the road, there were things to see, places to visit, and only a limited amount of time. Kyoto has hundreds of temples and shrines, all spread throughtout the city, so we visited a couple of them.
At the end of the day we visit the Yasaka shrine and park. That's where a lot of activities take place, in preparation for the Gion Matsuri festival tomorrow. Groups of people walk around, while making music to please the gods so the weather will be good during the festival (see movie)
Also there are traditional performances. In front of a makeshift stage are a few wooden benches. It's an hour before the performances start, and all seats are taken. But we're lucky, people move a bit closer to eachother, so we can also sit. It's a long wait, and it is still hot. The heat has nowhere to go, because above the stage and benches, a big piece of plastic is put up to protect us from the rain, that never happened. The performances are very colorful. We're lucky, two Japanese ladies next to us, speak English. They explain a bit about the background of the performances, so now we understand what we are looking at.
On Sunday we find a good spot to view the parade. Big floats are pulled through the streets. This festival was originally held to please the gods so they would protect the people from sickness and bad crops.
Of course we visit Gion, the traditional geisha district of Kyoto. There are a lot of young people in traditional kimono's. A very colorful sight. Gion has lots of restaurants, with big balconies facing the river. That's where we have dinner. Afterwards we join the crowd by the river, cooling our feet in the river.
The narrow streets of Gion District
Time flies, on Monday we have a few hours, in which we visit the Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. There are tours possible, but you have to make reservations in Japanese and bring your own Japanese translator. Needless to say that we were not able to organize that. We walked around the parks of both the palace and castle.
Entrance to the Imperial Palace
The wall around Nijo Castle The last temple we visit in Kyoto is the Rokuon-ji temple. It is covered in gold leaf and understandably on the worl cultural heritage list. The garden is still in the same style in which it was originally designed.
Before we get on the bus to go to the airport, we visit
Kyoto station. A big and very modern complex, with a big shopping center, restaurants and of course train and metro platforms. From the top floor, you have a good view of Kyoto.
After out well deserved shower, we hit the road, there were things to see, places to visit, and only a limited amount of time. Kyoto has hundreds of temples and shrines, all spread throughtout the city, so we visited a couple of them.
At the end of the day we visit the Yasaka shrine and park. That's where a lot of activities take place, in preparation for the Gion Matsuri festival tomorrow. Groups of people walk around, while making music to please the gods so the weather will be good during the festival (see movie)
Also there are traditional performances. In front of a makeshift stage are a few wooden benches. It's an hour before the performances start, and all seats are taken. But we're lucky, people move a bit closer to eachother, so we can also sit. It's a long wait, and it is still hot. The heat has nowhere to go, because above the stage and benches, a big piece of plastic is put up to protect us from the rain, that never happened. The performances are very colorful. We're lucky, two Japanese ladies next to us, speak English. They explain a bit about the background of the performances, so now we understand what we are looking at.
On Sunday we find a good spot to view the parade. Big floats are pulled through the streets. This festival was originally held to please the gods so they would protect the people from sickness and bad crops.
Of course we visit Gion, the traditional geisha district of Kyoto. There are a lot of young people in traditional kimono's. A very colorful sight. Gion has lots of restaurants, with big balconies facing the river. That's where we have dinner. Afterwards we join the crowd by the river, cooling our feet in the river.
The narrow streets of Gion District
Time flies, on Monday we have a few hours, in which we visit the Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. There are tours possible, but you have to make reservations in Japanese and bring your own Japanese translator. Needless to say that we were not able to organize that. We walked around the parks of both the palace and castle.
Entrance to the Imperial Palace
The wall around Nijo Castle The last temple we visit in Kyoto is the Rokuon-ji temple. It is covered in gold leaf and understandably on the worl cultural heritage list. The garden is still in the same style in which it was originally designed.
Before we get on the bus to go to the airport, we visit Kyoto station. A big and very modern complex, with a big shopping center, restaurants and of course train and metro platforms. From the top floor, you have a good view of Kyoto.