Kyoto - The Ancient Capital of Japan

If one look carefully at the spelling of Kyoto , it appears that "Kyoto" is spelled in reversal to Japan's capital city - "Tokyo". Indeed, before the era of Edo (Tokyo) and Shogun Tokugawa, Kyoto was a capital of Japan. That period was the period of the western samurai's warlord supremacy over the eastern warlord.

One man turned this around - Ieyasu Tokugawa , the unifier of modern Japan.

[ The picture above is the Kiyomizu temple. The architechture is unique and very personal. Building material is wood and the structure is placed on the side of a hill. ]

Kyoto is proud to be the ancient capital of Japan. It houses numerous historical attractions which consists of photographic temples and shrines - Kiyomizu, Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji to name a few. One can also visit Kyoto Imperial Palace which was once the official residence of Japan Emperor before the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

[ The picture on the left is Kinkakuji or Golden Pavillion, in between the momiji leaves and tree]

The best time to visit Kyoto is in autumn. The period when the colour of momiji (maples) leaves turn to red. Fact is that, the colour does not have one single colour tone. It varies from pinkish, orange and yellowish. Only one caution ! Bear in mind, autumn is the period when many people( Japanese or foreigners alike) flocks into these tourist attractions. We can have a hard time locating our family member if everyone moves individually his own direction.

For foreigner's, there is a tourist package from Tokyo to Kyoto which starts from 19,500 Yen inclusive of hotel, breakfast, dinner and shinkansen. It is cheap compared to other alternatives. That is the best deal that I know for non-student.

Student of Tsukuba University is blessed with a chance to participate in the trip to Kyoto, arranged by the International Student Centre. It costs 10,000 Yen since it is partly sponspored by the university. By luck, from the selection of lottery system, I managed to get a place in the group. Fun, scenic, exhilarating, delicious meal and nice ryokan. A visit that I will remember for long time and I will come again to Kyoto, some day in the future



[Picture on the right - Myself under a pink tree]