Cultural Kyoto

If Osaka is renowned for food, drink and hospitality, then Kyoto takes the cultural mantle. A mix of old and new, it’s basked in history and was the home of the Japanese royal family from the 7th century up until 1868.

It is temple-tastic! Literally, around every corner there is some marvellous monument to the gods. With all these temples going on, we had to play smart and decide which we wanted to see. It was a no brainer; it had to be Kinkaku-Ji aka the golden pavilion. Built in 1397 as a retirement home it was soon converted into a temple. Although mobbed with tourists, like the rest of temple trail it really was worth seeing.

Despite the hoards of visitors to the site it felt really peaceful and a world away from the madness of the city centre. It was actually burnt down in 1950 by a monk who became slightly obsessed with it, but was fully restored to its true glory 5 years later.

Kyoto is known by locals as a bonchi which is a flat tray with raised edges. We got a really good view of this when we went up Kyoto Tower.

We also had so much fun playing with the comedy mirrors!

Although Kyoto is seeped architecturally in a bygone world, there is still a needy mix of the new sitting proudly beside the old as typed in the construct that is Kyoto Station; much more my bag.

The area around the station came alive at night. There was a ‘fantasy aquarium’, a water light show accompanied by classical music which was enchanting.

And, of course, the tower illuminated stood very proudly.

And because we are in Kyoto, I’ll throw in a illuminated temple for Goodluck!

Well, tomorrow we are back to Tokyo for the final leg of our Japanese trip, until then x