Vacation In Kansai, 2009

Sagano Romantic Train Fun open-air train ride along the mountainous and picturesque Katsura river. Often paired with a boat ride back down the river. Bamboo Path, Arashiyama Picturesque and peaceful path in Arashiyama. Tenryuji Temple with large and excellent Zen garden. Nonomiya Shrine Shinto shrine where princesses were trained for service at the Ise shrine Matsuo Shrine Large Shinto shrine complex. Ninnaji Large temple complex with an former Imperial palace complex. The temple complex is free, but the palace with its covered walkways is definitely worth seeing. Ryouanji Temple famous for its rock garden. Kinkakuji Known as the Golden Pavilion in English, this striking summer house has beautiful views and a pleasant garden. Daitokuji Temple complex in northern Kyoto. Imamiya Jinja Shinto shrine in northern Kyoto Kamigamo Shrine "Upriver Shrine", important to Kyoto religious practice Shimogamo Shrine "Downriver Shrine", important to Kyoto religious practice Sandal Wood Hostel Hostel in NW/Central Kyoto. Modern, with very friendly owners, and feels more like a home stay than a hostel. Gojo Guest House Traditional Japanese style hostel very near to Kiyomizudera Heian Jingu Shrine to the Emperor Kammu (737 - 806) built in 1895 on the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of the Heian capitol of Kyoto Ginkakuji Known as the Silver Pavilion, it was under construction in May 2009 Nanzenji Large temple complex with a Meiji-period aqueduct and a three-gate Mon that you can climb up. Chion-in Functioning Buddhist temple with large bell. Yasaka Shrine Shinto shrine at the edge of the Gion district Yasaka Park Park near the Yasaka Shrine Kiyomizudera Buddhist temple with famous platform overlooking Kyoto Sanjusangendo Temple to Kannon, featuring 1000 statues of Kannon and 28 statues of guardian deities Fushimi-Inari Shrine Shinto shrine to god of fertility, agriculture, and success Byoudou-in Famous temple in Uji featured on the back of the 10 yen coin Tofukuji Temple built in the style of Nara's Todaiji and Kofukuji Emperor's Palace in Nara The remains of the emperor's palace in Nara. It is a quiet field, with a replica of the main gate. Kofukuji Temple in central Nara Todaiji Temple in Nara with a huge statue of Buddha. The temple is the largest wooden building in the world, and the temple was originally so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto in response. Tamukeyama-Hachimangu Shrine Small shrine near Todaiji Kasuga Shrine Shrine on the western edge of Nara Park with hundreds of stone lanterns Himeji Castle The largest and best-preserved of Japan's castles. A must see. Garden near Himeji Casle Garden complex with 12 sub-gardens, each in a different style Osaka Castle A replica of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's impressive castle that burned down in 1665. The moat is still original (and also very impressive).

Photo essays

• The Gallery: pictures with artistic merit.
• Reverse-engineering Japanese gardens: a photo essay
• Travelogue: Kansai in pictures

Travelling information

• The first week of May is Golden week, the major Japanese holiday season. Avoid this week.
• June is the rainy season. Judging from my one day of rain, it tends to rain throughout the day, kind of off and on, not very hard. One advantage of rainy days is that colors are more vivid when photographing, plus you don't get harsh shadows. Cherry blossom season is generally in April, but it varies greatly. I chose not to go during cherry blossom season because it is busy and I wanted green trees, not pink. I chose the middle of May, which was great: not too hot, not too rainy, and except for all the school field trips, not crowded. You might check to see if any of the temples have festivals near your visit.
• I acquired some maps that would have been very helpful when planning:
  • The Kyoto Backpacker's Map: (front, back), which seems to be published by the major hostels. It is very thorough, and is available for free at the hostels.
  • The Nara Sightseeing Map, available for free at the tourist info center (go right from the JR station and it is on your left on the corner). Note that the map is not to scale. The distances may be off, too, because the imperial palace site sure felt like more than 1 km to me.
  • An Uji map, available at the convenience store immediately to the right of the JR Uji station. The city of Uji appears to be very eager to show off the many attractions that the Kyoto sightseers are missing.
• Almost no businesses take credit cards, including restaurants and hostels. JR does take credit, though, although you may need to go to the JR Midori window (look for the green sign).
• You can a helpful bus map of Kyoto, as well as a less detailed street map, at the second floor of the tourist station across the street from the Heian shrine. The major hostels will also have the bus map. If you travel by bus, I recommend purchasing the day pass for 500 yen, as you need to transfer busses a lot and each one costs at least 200 yen. Traveling by bus is no faster than by bike, but it is faster than walking, and better if you are tired out.
• Avoid walking across Kyoto your first day just because you are too lazy to figure out the bus system. You'll be hurting the rest of the week.