Kyoto Kimono

Japan. The name evokes images of cherry blossoms and temples, samurai and kimono clad geisha. Contemporary Japan is today a diversified conglomerate in history and tradition merging with a future that often struggles to understand. A lively and vibrant country awaits the traveler who seeks to know a culture filled with skyscrapers and bullet trains, castles and paddy fields lined with rustic wooden houses. What better place to begin your journey through this exotic land that the city of Kyoto. This town of extraordinary beauty with its abundance of shrines, temples, palaces, gardens and priceless historic buildings, illustrates the essence of Japanese culture and history. With more than 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto architecture intact, it is one of the best preserved cities in Japan, and a tourist destination for foreigners and Japanese as well.

One of the most visited sites is the Zen temple of Kiyomizu. Its wooden veranda supported by hundreds of pillars located on a mountainside overlooking the area offers an impressive view over the city. Visitors can also stand under the waterfalls and the temple Otowanotaki collect water in tin cups to quench their thirst before the mountain hiking trail that leads from the structure of the tranquility of the forest- above.

Two additional temples are also popular attractions are Kinkakuji and Ginkaku. Construction of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) began in 1397 as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and was transformed into a Zen temple after his death in 1408. The pavilion is covered with gold leaf, and houses sacred relics of Buddha. Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) is modeled after Kinkakuji, and is located in the foothills of Higashiyama Kyoto. Built as a villa for Ahsikaga Yoshimasa (a descendant of Yoshimitsu) the building has been transformed into a Zen temple after his death in 1490.

Another impressive structure is a popular tourist destination is Nijo Castle. Located on the eastern edge of a compound of 70 acres, the building consists of 33 rooms and is famous for paintings of landscapes complex sliding doors that adorn the palace, and to build innovative wooden floors squeak like nightingales when you step on which was used as a security measure against intruders.

Other memorable sites in and around Kyoto include "Philosophers Walk", the Gion district, and Arashiyama, a charming tourist area is distinguished by its landmark Togetsukyo Bridge, with Mount Arashiyama standing quietly in the background . A wide selection of cafes, restaurants and shops are located near the famous bridge. If you venture a little north, you will also come across a set of bamboo groves and the residential area of several small temples quietly placed between the wooded hills.

The "Walk philosophers" refers to a picturesque two miles south road along the temple Ginkakuji a meandering river of Nyakuoji Shrine, and was named after the philosophy professor Nishida Kitaro, who could often be seen using the road. The Gion district of north-west of Kiyomizu Temple consists of cobbled streets lined with slabs of traditional buildings, where if you're lucky you can catch a glimpse of Geisha as they make their way through the cobbled streets.