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| Kyoto,
Nara and Osaka |
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Situated in the Kansai
area of central Honshu, these three famous cities are all favourite
tourist destinations, each having contributed unique elements towards
Japanese culture and history. Capital of Japan for more than 1000
years, Kyoto is still Japan’s star
attraction. Established in AD 794, the city’s largest
number of shrines, temples, museums and historical sites acts as
a textbook to the history of Japan, while her arts, crafts and cuisine
are among the country’s best. ‘Must see’
sights include the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji),
the minimalist Zen rock garden of Ryoanji, awesome
Kiyomizu Temple and the Imperial gardens
and villas of Katsura and Shugakuin
(a permit is necessary). The striking medieval Nijo Castle,
the vermilion-lacquered Heian Shrine and the Buddhist
art treasures of Sanjusangendo Temple are also
worth a visit. The city’s large number of historical neighbourhoods,
such as the rustic temples of Arashiyama, the textile
workshops of Nishijin and the Gion
geisha district, are best seen
on foot. Kyoto hosts 3major traditional
summer events: the colourful Aoi, Gion
and Jidai Festivals.
Nara, 1-hour south of Kyoto, is a major
Buddhist centre and was Japan’s capital during the
8th century AD. Visitors flock to visit the famous ‘great
Buddha’ of Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden structure
in the world, ancient Kasuga Shrine and the Buddhist
sculptures of Kofukuji Temple. The attractive expanses
of Nara Park contain hundreds of sacred deer. Nearby,
the esteemed Horyuji Temple dates back to the 7th
century AD.
One of Japan’s biggest cities, prosperous
and commercial Osaka is famous
for its many brilliant restaurants, historic Osaka Castle
and the performing arts of Kabuki and Bunraku.
The city also enjoys an impressive aquarium and excellent Museum
of Oriental Ceramics. The city’s busy Namba
and Umeda districts are well known
for their nightlife and the Dotonburi area is especially lively after dark.
Universal Studios Japan, a 140-acre theme
park in Osaka, is extremely popular.
Excursions
The historic town of Uji, situated between Kyoto
and Nara, is well known for the lovely Byodoin Temple
which is featured on Japan’s ¥10 coin. Tourists and pilgrims
are welcomed to visit the many temples and monasteries on scenic
Mount Koya, two hours from Osaka, where Buddhist
vegetarian cuisine and overnight temple lodgings are available at
reasonable prices. The port city of Kobe has an
international vibe and is well known for its old foreign-style
houses and buildings
dating from the Meiji era. |
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