Good Food and Views are Worth the Journey
Three of Kyoto's major temples are located within a 40 minute walk of each other in the northwestern quadrant of the city. Of these Kinkaku-ji - also known as the Golden Pavilion - is probably the best known. And while all three are temples, they each have different characteristics which makes a morning or afternoon spent exploring this area, a nicely contained visit.
I started at Kinkaku-ji and although there are a gazillion photos on the net of this temple, I was still in awe even...
Kyoto’s western district Arashiyama is worthy of its own destination visit. Nestled in the lush hills along the Oi river, it is best known for its towering bamboo forest and the Tenryu-ji temple, while the imperial residence Katsura Villa and “Moss Temple” Kokedera (Saiho-ji) are nearby. You could easily spend two days here without stepping foot into Kyoto city. But if you’re short on time, here is a one day condensed itinerary.
Morning: Katsura Imperial Villa or Moss...
If you’re in Arashiyama for a day (or more), there are three great dining options for lunch - Shigetsu, Unagiya Hirokawa and Hirano-ya. They are very different from each other and I really enjoyed all three. So, depending on your food preferences and available time, at least one of these should tick the boxes.
Shigetsu - Zen Vegetarian (Shojin Ryori)
Shigetsu is a zen buddhist vegetarian dining hall in Tenryu-ji temple. The story goes that it started with the monks cooking...
Katsura Imperial Villa is evidence that good design lasts forever. Designated a cultural treasure by the Japanese, this garden - said to be the most beautiful in Japan according to the Imperial Household Agency - and its buildings were completed in 1645 and used as a royal residence. The design of the villas and its tea houses are simple, due to the influence of zen buddhism, and look as modern now as they may have done more than four hundred years ago. Its garden is also said to be...
Michelin 3-starred Kitcho Arashiyama is known as a temple of Kyoto Kaiseki cuisine that comes with a high price. Reviews thus, are often mixed. Having now been there in winter and summer, I say that it’s worth trying at least once because of the complete experience it offers. However, if you’re just going for the food, you can get as fulfilling a Kaiseki experience elsewhere for a lot less financial pain.
I’m a sucker for Japanese ceramics, so to see the antiques that Kitcho...