Silence
& Spirit. đŽ
Kyoto was the imperial capital for over 1,000 years. It escaped the WWII bombings, preserving its ancient street grid, wooden machiya houses, and innumerable shrines.
It is a city of seasons. The pink of spring cherry blossoms, the green of summer bamboo, the red of autumn maples, and the white of winter snow on the Golden Pavilion.
The Temple Grid. âŠī¸
You cannot see them all. Kyoto has over 1,600 temples. We focus on the "Big Three" that define the skyline and the spirit.
Kinkakuji
The Golden Pavilion. The top two floors are completely covered in real gold leaf. It reflects perfectly in the mirror pond.
Fushimi Inari
The endless path of 10,000 vermilion torii gates winding up the sacred mountain. It is mystical, especially at dawn.
Flower & Willow
The Geiko World
Geisha Alleys. đ
In Kyoto, they are called "Geiko" (Child of the Arts) and "Maiko" (Apprentice). Gion is their world. Wooden tea houses, paper lanterns, and cobblestone streets.
Etiquette:
If you see a Geiko on the street, do not touch her, block her path, or shove a camera in her face. She is working. Watch respectfully from a distance.
Bamboo Grove. đ
Arashiyama feels like another world. The soaring bamboo stalks block out the sky, creating a green twilight even at noon.
Monkey Park:
Hike up the mountain to Iwatayama Monkey Park to see wild macaques roaming freely with a view of the entire city.
Wild & Free
Mountain Spirit
Choose Your Path. đ¯ī¸
The city is vast. Will you seek the golden temples, the hidden tea houses, or the silent bamboo forests?