Japan’s Heartland And World’s Treasure: Kyoto City

Kyoto is known to be the heartland of Japan, not just for the reason of being the major part of the Osaka – Kobe- Kyoto is not only a metropolitan area, but it is also a beautiful city with natural scenery, mountains, historic shrines and temples. Protocol which was signed and ratified by 187 states on 11th December, 1997 in Kyoto can be notified as the major significance of Kyoto that was brought into force on 16th February, 2005. It’s a protocol of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which aims at combating global warming.

It is the place where you can actually find culture and traditions of Japan alive. It is the one of the cities in the world who is going hand in hand with tradition and culture and modernization.

Kyoto has lived a long history of 1200 years. It has witnessed transferring of powers and many battles and trounces. Initially Kyoto was known as Heain- Kyo which was established as a capital of Japan in 794. It was made with a vision of beautiful and elegant cityscape around the old imperial palace, located in the north. In the 15th century Kyoto was one of the influential cities in Japan. It was the ‘Great Civil War between Onin and Bunmei’ that lasted for eleven years due to which the city suffered economically.

In modern age, Kyoto lost its rights as a political capital, to Edo (now Tokyo). But the Kyoto stood firm and started developing all its transportation routes; undertook the biggest project of the Lake Biwa, modernized water facilities, built better roads with upgraded street cars, the modernization of the city took huge amount of financial backup and finally it was completed in 10 years.

Now the city has the leading industries and scientific institution, contributing in the world. It also has, not fewer than 17 major sites regarded as heritage sites in the city by the UNESCO world heritage. The old and new Kyoto exists perfectly together. Kyoto’s old streets has been maintained and preserved to keep the effect of old Kyoto.

Art

The culture of the Japan, fully and largely, is influenced by the Buddhism. The culture is still preserved because of the perseverance and maintenance of the temples in Japan. Even when bombing was done on Japan during World War 2, Kyoto was not affected much.

Architecture

There is this beautiful quote by Frank Lloyd Wright, “The mother art is architecture. Without architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.”

And this can be exactly said for the architecture in Japan. The architecture of houses in Kyoto is mostly of wood and paper, wood is said not to give 100 percent safety in seasons like winter, snowy, rainy or windy, but the houses in Kyoto has stand still even after the Fujiwara era to the end of Edo era. The houses are interwoven elegantly with wood and paper which gives soul and identity of its own to the Japan culture and civilization.

Gardens

The garden in the old Kyoto, gives a sense of pride to the Japan. The whole garden is so stunning and the colorful it gives an aesthetic sense. The arched bridges, stoned lanterns and ornamentation, placed in every corner with minute details, bringing the garden alive and just expresses the love for garden and sense of beautification of Japanese.

Performing Art

The popular and most common art in Japan is the Noh, which is a type comedy and contrastive farce. The Kyomai is a form of dance which is filled with richness of expression and developed in the middle of Edo era. The art in Japan has been modified with changing eras and traditions.

The key sight seeing of Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

It is the oldest shrines in Kyoto. The temple is dedicated to Rice Goddess. It is the main headquarters’ of all shrines in Japan. The temples has path behind the shrines about four kilometers, which has orange painted gates which looks like corridors.

Passing charges are not applied but if you want to conduct any prayers then you will be charged.

Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle

The whole area is about 275.000 square meters and the building occupies 8000 square meters. The palace was once residence of imperial family, when Tokyo became capital of Japan. The palace has many gardens and groves with cherry and Japanese apricot trees, which are stunning and to relax.

There are other places to go around too, such as; Gion and Gion Corner, Ginkakuji Temple and the Path of Philosophy, Kiyomizu Temple and many more.

Transportation

To travel within the city is not a problem as the public transportation is well laid down. The most convenient to get around in public transport is to get Kyoto’s Sightseeing Card which is valid for couple of days and can be used in any public transportation within designated area in the city.

Kansai International Airport is the main airport in Kyoto and is situated 70 kilometers to the south of Kyoto city centre.