Fushimi inari shrine, most popular place in Kyoto

Fushimi inari shurine is most popular place in Kyoto for foreigner to visit.

Because the red gate which continue more than 3000 is amazing sight.

Those gate stand on the mountain load, so you can do trekking for around two hours, 4km and see beautiful Japanese shrine and gates. 

Most temple in Kyoto you need to pay before entering but this shrine is free!

There is no opening time and closing time. So you can go at any time.

Evening might be beautiful. Please prepare the flashlight. It must be beautiful to see night view of Kyoto.

Kyosera museum

Japan is a cultural country but also industrialised country.

Maybe you know, Sony, Toyota, Canon etc… 

Main office of most companies are located in Tokyo. 

But Kyosera main office is still in Kyoto.

Kyocera Corporationis a multinationall electronics and ceramics manufacturer headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded as Kyoto Ceramic Company, Limite in 1959 by Kazuo Inamori . The company has diversified its founding technology in ceramic materials through internal development. It manufactures industrial ceramics, solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, office document imaging equipment, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools, and components for medical and dental implant systems.

http://global.kyocera.com

There is a museum just south of Kyoto. From Kyoto station there is a bus to this museum. You can see not only art which Inamori gathered but also history of Ceramic. It is very comfortable place as it has wide open space and not man y people. 

If you will go to South of Kyoto, like Fushimiinari ori tofukuji, please visit and stop here if you are interested in Tecnology of Ceramic1   

Autumn color in Kyoto!

In Japan now leaves are starting to change colors, red, yellow, gold, orange etc.

Especially, Kyoto is famous for the autumn colors. 

You can see beautiful nature, mountains, trees and also  Japnaese gardens at various temples.

In Japan the four seasons are very distinct.

You can enjoy all season in Kyoto but especially it is beautiful in Autumn.

From end of Oct leaves change colors little by little. We can not expect how colour will be as it depend on the temperature. 

I went to Tofuku temple.  It has a beautiful garden, Hojyo garden. 

This garden was kind of modern design, designed by Shigemori 

Also in the temple there is a bridge and you can see the beautiful autumn colour from this bridge. 

Not only in Autumn, but also in all season this temple is very beautiful.

You can read  a history of this temple.

History of Tofuji ji temple

Near this temple there are some another temple. 

So it is nice to walk around this area and see gardens of different temples.

You can get some information about Autmn colour in Kyoto here.

http://www.kyotoguide.com/ver2/thismonth/maple-viewing-11.html

Autumn color in Kyoto

I went to Kodaiji temple and Entokuji temple at night. Both are close. So it is easy to go both temple at one night.

In Koadiji there are beautiful garden. Especially at night, trees, temple and bridge reflect on the wanter of the pond. 

When there is no wind, reflection of threes do not move at all. So it is like real trees but upside down. It is amazing.

Now there is an lighting up event and you can see art of light up in the garden.

You can read about Kodaiji temple here.  Kodaiji

Not only Kyoto but also at many placed in Japan Autumn color is beautiful from end of Oct to beginning of Dec.

Colors of nature make harmony. 

Ueno Arhitecture in Tokyo

I visited Ueno in Tokyo.  There are many historical modern architectures and  museums etc in Ueno.

I visited Ueno in Tokyo.  There are many historical modern architectures and  museums etc in Ueno.

The Natinal museume of Western art wss founded in 1959 based on the collection of Matukata Kojiro, returned by French Government.

The building was designed by Le Corbisure who express his concept of The Museum of Ultimated Growth, based on expanding spiral. It has been nominated for inscripeon of UNESCO World Heritage List.

Main building was designed by Corbisure and later other buildings were designed by Kunio Maecawa who studied at sudio of Corbusure.

Tokyo National Museum has Japanese style roof 

Hyokeikan is very western style

I like Horyuji museum which is very simple but beautiful.  This is designed by Yoshio Taniguchi. Later by this design he was highly evaluated and was appointed to renobate MoMA in New York.

International library of Children's literature
It was built in 1908 and renovated by Tadao Ando, conservation of old building

There are lots of things to see in Ueno Park. Shinobazu lake, Ueno zoo, many architectures.

http://www.tokyoarchitecture.info/Architecture/1/4123/Ueno-Koen/Area.php

My favorite Cafes and restaurants in Kyoto

I like cafes. So I often go some nice cafes in Kyoto.
On this blog I would like to introduce some cafes and restaurants where I like.
In Kyoto it is popular to renovate old house to cafes, restaurants or small hotels.
I like those one as we can see the structures of old house.
I also like design which use wood.
Some might not be convenient to go for tourists but if you have  a chance to go near that area, please visit and have some time.

Moan,   茂庵


This cafe is located on the hill and along the path to the Yoshida shurine.
So you will walk along a narrow mountain load and will found this cafe.
It is sorounded by trees and totally in the nature. And from the seat you can see the kyoto city as it is on the hill.

 



























This is the website of the cafe and you can see the access.

http://www.mo-an.com

Somushikocyaya 素夢子古茶屋

Near Karaumaoike, there is a Korean style tea house. When I entered this cafe
I felt something strange feeling in a  good sense. By their interior desing, I could be very relaxed and atmosphere is like a place for

http://somushi.com

Kibunha Jyoujyou
喜Bun上Jo

The meaning of Kibun jyojo in Japanese is that the feeling great.
This restaurnt is located near Nijyo castle. 　二条城
Old house which has a court yard converted to the restaurant.
They offer lunch around 1000yen, at reasonable price.
Especially I like the corridor and court yard. It is beautiful.

You sit on the floor and eat lunch, viewing beautiful garden.
If you will go to Nijyo Castle, please take a rest and eat lunch!

http://www.kibun-jou-jou.com







Jyunsei 順正

Near Nanzenji temple，南禅寺 beautiful temple, it is popular to eat Yudoufu 湯豆腐.
Yu mean hot water. So yudofu is tofu which is boiling in the pot.
There is a some good restaurant where offer Yudofu. 順正（JUNSEI)
and  奥丹（OKUTAN) Both offer course which include Yudofu and Tempura and some other Japanese foods.
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After walking from Ginkaku temple 銀閣寺 to Nanzenji temple whitch is called Phirosophy road 哲学の道, it is very nice to be in the beautiful Japanese style restaurant and have some lunch or dinner.
Tetsugakuno mich very nice to walk. There is a small river and the view is beautiful and there are some souvenir shops and cafes along the load. It took around one or one and half hour.

http://www.to-fu.co.jp/en/index.html

If you come to Kyoto, Tofu is nice food to eat. At the ending of Phirosophy road, there is a Nanzenji temple. There, tofu restaurants are popular.

Also you can eat Yudofu at Arashiyama.　湯豆腐嵯峨野（SAGANO)

Ninnaji temple, world heritage!

I would like to show you a beautiful temple, a Ninnaji temple near my house, along the foothill of the west of Kyoto.

This temple is beautiful and it has variety kind of architectures, include main temple, 5 stories building and beautiful garden.

Between buildings there are corridors. The view from corridor of the other buildings and garden is very special and beautiful.

Along the corridor you can see old Japanese doors, windows.

Many nobles of he Imperial court built summer vilas in Heian Period. 794-1185
At that time the nobilities were folowers of the newly flourishing Buddism.
Many of their villas came to converted to temples.

The 58th Emperor Koko ordered that a temple be built in the district in 886.
This was the origin of the Ninna-Ji temple.

After the death of Emperor Koko, his son The 59th Emperor Uda oversaw the completion of the temple in 888.

Emperor Uda abdicated and to took Monk's vows at age 31st, retiring to Ninna Ji temple as it's abot.

This practice of having an Emperor' son serve as the abbot continue until 1868.

The temple was largely destroyed by the during Onin War in the 19 the century and carried out with sponsorship of Tokugawa in 1644

It is good to go early in the morning as there are not many tourists. Thought all temples are same, early in the morning is best time to go.

Kiyomizu temple, East area

One of my favorite temple in Kyoto is Kiyomizu temple

because this architecuter is very unique and the view from this temple is beautiful.

This temple is located in east area of Kyoto on the Otowa mountain.

Originally, The temple was built in 778. 

It was destroyed by the fire many times and reconstructed. 

The temple which we can see now was constructed in 1633.

This temple is part if the world heritage in Kyoto.

Half of the main building is supported by  139 zelkova in the middle of the mountain. There are no nails for built this wooden structure.

It looks as if the stage.

There is a proverb,

"Jump from the stage of stage of Kiyimozu. "

It means to have the courage to take a risk or make a decison.

You can walk through some buildings and go down stairs. You can see a water fall, Otowa waterfall. This ground water come from the mountain and split in three by wood gutter. One is for long life. Second one is for love. Third one is for achievement of studying.

You chose one of three water and take a sip. If you drink tow times, player answered will be half benefit. If you drink three times, benefit will be one third.

You walk through the mountain, you can see the three story tower, Koyasu

tower. From there you can view that an temple from opposite side.

You walk through the mountain, you can see the three story tower, Koyasu

tower. 

From there you can view that an temple from opposite side.

It is enjoyable to walk up the slope from the bus station to the temple. Those slope name is Ninenzaka and Sanneizaka. Along the slope there are many souvenir shops, cafes and those things are all cultural Kyoto products or sweets.  People really enjoy walking, shopping , eating and beautiful temple and view of Kyoto.

In east area there are many famous temples and shrines are near by.

Koudaiji, Chiyoin, Yasaka shrine, Heian jingu, Nanzenji temple.

All you can go by walk. So pick up some place and enjoy walking around east area!