{"id":1117,"date":"2015-06-04T00:06:28","date_gmt":"2015-06-03T16:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gazeandgraze.com\/wordpress\/?p=1117"},"modified":"2019-02-03T17:26:21","modified_gmt":"2019-02-03T09:26:21","slug":"kyoto-one-day-in-the-eastern-districts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gazeandgraze.com\/wordpress\/2015\/06\/04\/kyoto-one-day-in-the-eastern-districts\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyoto – One Day in the Eastern Districts"},"content":{"rendered":"

The main sites to visit in Kyoto\u2019s eastern districts include the Shugakuin Imperial Villa, Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and Eikando Zenrin-ji. The Philosopher\u2019s Walk, is an easy path to stroll down, linking Ginkaku-ji to Eikando Zenren-ji and another temple Nanzen-ji. This makes spending one day in this area a nicely contained itinerary.<\/p>\n

\"Silver<\/a>
Ginkaku-ji<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If I had to rank the top sites to visit in this area, they would be Shugakuin, Eikando temple, and Ginkaku-ji. So if you\u2019re short on time, make a beeline to these three places. Honen-in shrine is atmospheric but small and Nanzen-ji has a great gateway and interesting aqueduct but admittedly I may have been a bit templed out by the time I got here. The Philosopher\u2019s Walk is probably the most beautiful during cherry blossom season or in the autumn, but is otherwise a stroll along a small canal or big drain (depending on how you look at things).<\/p>\n

\"Kyoto\"<\/a>
Philosopher’s Walk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I actually did my visits separately as on my first visit to Kyoto, I didn\u2019t get permission to visit Shugakuin (see my earlier blog<\/a>). But with a bit more advanced planning, I could have easily managed this. Shugakuin is one of the former imperial residences now managed by the Imperial Household Agency. Visits are free but you have to sign up in advance for a one hour guided tour. Since you have to get permission by going in person to their offices – there\u2019s one at Kyoto Imperial Palace – it may be better to ask your hotel concierge if they can to do this for you (but limited to four guests in most cases) or an agent. There may be a fee involved. Alternatively there are limited slots available online – they are posted three months in advance in the Imperial Household Agency website. Just to note, you have to be 18 or older.<\/p>\n

\"Kyoto<\/a>
Shugakuin Imperial Villa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If I could redo my visit, this would be my itinerary:<\/b><\/p>\n