Kyoto and Nara; How do they look like?

I was so happy to have an opportunity to have 3-day Trip to Kyoto and Nara last July 28th-30th. Many thanks to Miyagi University of Education who made it possible for me to have the Trip to Kyoto. It was an amazing trip. Not only did it quench my curiosity of traveling to Kansai area, but also give me chance to learn how Tourism was managed to be such a good package that it can draw many foreign tourists every year. I got amazed with how Japanese preserve their culture. Modernity and tradition co-exist in harmony shaping perfect picture about how the both things create superb civilization. Three days were too short for me, to be honest. There were too many places that i wished i could have explored more in Kyoto. 

Halal Ramen and Chicken Rice in Ayam-ya Restaurant

Dinner in Japanese style Restaurant

First Day

First day arriving at Kyoto, we visited several places like kinkakuji Temple, nijo castle, and Gion Center. Arriving at Kinkakuji Temple, i was amazed with beautiful architecture of a Temple refurbished with gold. Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a Zen Temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Kinkakuji was an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex. I am always fond of historical sites. I was lucky that a guide explained us about the history of the constructin of Kinkakuji.   

The Gate of Nijo Castle

Cultural Show

Kinkakuji Temple 

Kinkakuji Temple

Pure Garden in Nijo Castle

Gion Center

The next site we visited in the first day was Nijo Castle. According to the guide, Nijo castle  was a former inn used by feudal lords who were visiting Kyoto during the Edo Period. In order to guarantee the safety of the important guests, the building has been equipped with secret pathways, trap doors, hidden escape routes and various other security gadgets. The castle was constructed with high degree of safety. It must have been perfect place for residing during Edo Period. Besides the unique architecture, Nijo Castle looked more awesome with the existence of beautiful garden and pool. It was such a  tranquil place to stay.   

Third place we visited in the first day was Gion District. This place was full of tourists, especially foreign tourist. Gion attracted tourists with its high concentration of traditional wooden machiya merchant houses. Visiting Gion was like going back to old ages, as the place still kept its traditional concept of building. A more accessible experience was the cultural show held everyday at Gion Corner at the end of Hanami-koji. Aimed at foreign tourists, the show was a highly concentrated introduction to several traditional Japanese arts and include short performances of a tea ceremony, ikebana, bunraku, Kyogen comic plays and dances performed by real maiko.   

Second day

Second day of the trip was a free time for everybody joining the trip to determine by himself/herself where to go or what to do. I made up my mind to visit Fushimi Inari and Nars Park. Fushimi inari was so iconic. Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. It was a must-visit place for me, so i put a priority on it. Despite hot sunny day and being crowded, i still could enjoy walking around Fushimi Inari and trekking its thousands gates.    

Selfie with Japanese Girls

Fushimi-Inari

Ayam-Ya; a Halal Restaurant located near Kyoto Station

Main Gate of Kyoto Station

Other place i visited in the second day was Nara Park. It took time to reach Nara Park, as i had to tahke train from Kyoto Station to Nara station for more thatn one hour, actually. The train ticket cost ¥710. Although taking time, but the trip was very joyful. I could see beautiful landscape in the bordering lands of the both prefecture along the trip. Unfortunately, i arrived at Nara station a bit late in the afternoon. It was already 4.30 p.m. Due to that, i could not visit Todaiji Temple, a temple with tall statue of Budha. However, managed to visit Nara Park. A park with lots of deers. It was amazing to se herds of domesticated deer in the park. I took lots of nice pictures there.    

Herds of Deers

Nara Park

Getting along with birds in front of Nara Station

Third Day

Time flew. I felt like it was very soon that i had to end up my trip in the third day. Yet, third day was amazing too, as we got chance to visit some most sought-after paces in Kyoto. In the third day, we visited at least three places. Having an opportunity to practice making Japanese special omiyage, visiting Sanjusangendo, and visiting Kyomizudera. Visiting the  last-mentioned was like a dream coming true.      

For me, traveling have many benefits. Fun or joy is a matter of course, yet finding different way of life, relishing new nuance or atmosphere, understanding how local people maintain their culture are also important, for those can improve my wisdom of life.

Dahlan

Miyagi University of Education