Kyoto is an idyllic city, in which you will find the Japan from your imagination…
In this town, you will find numerous Zen gardens, poet shacks hidden in bamboo trees, temples with their amazing gates, mystical geishas who disappear behind the doors of traditional Japanese restaurants, as well as golden temples which magically float on calm waters. All sights of Kyoto remind us of fairytale scenes which make it a really magical place. As a center of traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto is the spot where many significant historical events took place. There are 17 locations in this city which are under the protection of UNESCO, over 1600 Buddhist temples and over 400 Shinto temples. When we speak of culture and cultural heritage, this is one of the richest cities in the world.
If you’re making a list of cities which you should visit at least once in your life, Kyoto must be on that list, beside Paris, London and Rome. First impressions this city leaves upon its visitors can be very powerful. When you arrive in Kyoto and take a walk along the typical streets surrounded with neon lights and concrete, you will think that this place hasn’t got any magic. Actually all you need is a little patience, as the magnificent beauty of this city is hidden from looks of curious people. It is located behind walls, doors, curtains and facades, which you will easily discover if you dedicate some of your time to exploration. Thousands of beautiful and cultural sites are scattered all over town, and deeper you go in, you will find more magical and amazing places.
Zen gardens with rocks or karesansui originate from the middle age Japan, and are very well known for its uniqueness and tranquility. The most known Zen gardens can be seen in a temple which originates from the 15th century – Ryoan-ji, or the Peaceful Dragon temple. This city has many other extremely beautiful locations but this one is especially powerful and magnificent, with true Zen Buddhist views, perfect for relaxation and meditation. One more miraculously wonderful place you must visit is the Buddhist temple Nanzenji, which was built by the emperor Kamejama in 1264, on the place of its palace. It became the most important temple in Japan and the whole world. This emperor became a Zen apprentice of a Zen master Bishina Daimina Kokushi, so he turned his magnificent palace in a Zen temple in 1291. This temple is now on the list of Five great Zen temples of Kyoto. Combined, these temples are a destination which many tourists coming from all over the world visit every year.
Former capitol of Japan, Kyoto is the most interesting, attractive and most visited city of this country. It is a center of foreign, and local tourism also, and a center of a magnificent ancient culture.
