Kyoto

The Eizan Electric Railway (commonly known as Eiden) runs through the northeastern suburbs of Kyoto city.There are two lines: one heading toward Mt. Hiei from Demachi-yanagi Station, and another heading toward Kurama and Kibune.

This is my second visit to Shugakuin Imperial Villa. I last visited in October four years ago. At that time, the Rinun-tei Pavilion in the Upper Palace was under renovation, but this time I was able to go to the Rinun-tei Pavilion.

This Ichihime-jinja Shrine is located about a 15-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station.The temple grounds are small, and since an apartment building stands above them, the location is hard to find.However, many female visitors come here.

It's hard to believe this is near JR Kyoto Station, bustling with tourists. It's a remarkably quiet garden.From this garden, you can see the Kyoto Tower to the southwest, so anyone can understand how close this garden is to JR Kyoto Station.This garden is Shosei-en Garden, an enclave within the grounds of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple.

Higfashi Hongan-ji Temple is located about a 5-minute walk north along Karasuma-dori from JR Kyoto Station.The large wooden main gate, the Goei-do Gate, facing Karasuma-dori serves as a landmark.

This vast garden is a private estate completed over thirty years by the late Denjiro Okochi, a prominent film actor active in the early Showa era.The garden is a circuit style, designed for strolling through the forest.

Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is located in the northern part of Kyoto City.It is a historic shrine said to have existed on this site since the latter half of the 7th century.This shrine is registered as a World Heritage Site. Additionally, buildings designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are scattered throughout the grounds.

Ryogen-in Temple is one of the sub-temples of Daitoku-ji Temple and is an old temple built in 1502.The Hojo (main hall), entrance, and front gate of Ryogen-in Temple are original structures and are the oldest buildings among the sub-temples of Daitoku-ji Temple.

This temple has three gardens surrounding the Hojo (main hall). Among them, the Dokuzatei Garden on the south side of the Hojo (main hall) is a Zen garden with a wild feel that contrasts with the surrounding silence. If you visit Daitoku-ji Temple, you should also visit Zuiho-in Temple.

The long-established Japanese sweets shop Sasaya Iori has a branch in the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden (Kyoto Gyoen). The Konoe Residence Rest Area is that shop.If you go to the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho), you should stop by. The shop is calm and relaxed, but it gets crowded with tourists on weekends. It is closed on Mondays.

Daisen-in Temple is one of the sub-temples of Daitoku-ji Temple.Walk along the stone paving in the precincts of Daitoku-...

Daitoku-ji Temple is a silent Zen temple. There are many sub-temples with Zen-style gardens. If you want to experience the silent Kyoto, I recommend Daitoku-ji Temple.Some sub-temples are always open to the public, but others are only open on special days.