| Japan. The name evokes images of cherry
| |
| | Buddha. Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) was
|
| blossoms and temples, of Samurai and
| |
| | modeled after Kinkakuji, and is located
|
| Kimono clad Geisha. The contemporary
| |
| | at the foot of Kyoto's Higashiyama
|
| Japan of today is a diverse
| |
| | mountains. Built as a villa for Ahsikaga
|
| conglomeration of history and tradition
| |
| | Yoshimasa, (a descendant of Yoshimitsu)
|
| merging with a future that often
| |
| | the building was also converted into a
|
| struggles to understand itself. A country
| |
| | Zen Shrine after his death in 1490.
|
| vibrantly alive and awaiting the traveler
| |
| | Another impressive structure that is a
|
| who seeks to experience a culture replete
| |
| | well known tourist destination is Nijo
|
| with skyscrapers and bullet trains, of
| |
| | Castle. Located on the eastern edge of a
|
| castles and paddy fields lined with
| |
| | 70 acre compound, the building consists
|
| rustic wooden homes. What better place to
| |
| | of 33 rooms, and is famous for the
|
| begin your journey within this exotic
| |
| | intricate paintings of landscapes which
|
| land than the city of Kyoto. This
| |
| | adorn the Palace's sliding doors, and for
|
| extraordinarily beautiful city with its
| |
| | the innovative construction of wooden
|
| abundance of shrines, temples, palaces,
| |
| | floors that squeak like nightingales when
|
| gardens, and historically priceless
| |
| | walked upon which was employed as a
|
| buildings, exemplifies the essence of
| |
| | security measure against intruders.
|
| Japanese culture and history. With over
| |
| | Other memorable sites in and around Kyoto
|
| 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines
| |
| | include the "Philosophers Walk", the Gion
|
| architecturally still intact, it is one
| |
| | District, and Arashiyama, a charming
|
| of the best preserved cities in Japan,
| |
| | tourist area distinguished by its
|
| and a top tourist destination for
| |
| | landmark Togetsukyo Bridge, with Mount
|
| foreigners and Japanese alike.
| |
| | Arashiyama standing peacefully in the
|
| One of the most frequently visited sites
| |
| | background. A wide selection of cafes,
|
| is the Zen Temple of Kiyomizu. Its wooden
| |
| | restaurants and shops are located near
|
| veranda supported by hundreds of pillars
| |
| | the famous bridge. If you venture a short
|
| located on a mountain slope overlooking
| |
| | distance north you'll also come across a
|
| the region provides an awe inspiring view
| |
| | cluster of bamboo groves and residential
|
| of the city below. Visitors are also able
| |
| | district with several small temples
|
| to stand beneath the temple's waterfall
| |
| | placed placidly among the wooded
|
| Otowanotaki and collect water in tin cups
| |
| | hillside.
|
| to quench their thirst before hiking the
| |
| | The "Philosophers Walk" refers to a
|
| mountain path that leads from the
| |
| | scenic two kilometer path running south
|
| structure to the tranquility of the
| |
| | from Ginkakuji Temple along a meandering
|
| forest above.
| |
| | river to Nyakuoji Shrine, and was named
|
| Two additional temples which are also
| |
| | after philosophy professor Kitaro
|
| popular attractions are Kinkakuji and
| |
| | Nishida, who could often be seen using
|
| Ginkakuji. Construction of Kinkakuji
| |
| | the pathway. The Gion District located
|
| (Golden Pavilion) began in 1397 as part
| |
| | northwest of Kiyomizu Temple consists of
|
| of a new residence for the retired shogun
| |
| | flagstone paved lanes lined with
|
| Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and was converted
| |
| | traditional buildings, where if you're
|
| into a Zen Sanctuary after his death in
| |
| | lucky you may catch a glimpse of Geisha
|
| 1408. The Pavilion is covered in gold
| |
| | as they make their way gracefully down
|
| leaf, and houses sacred relics of the
| |
| | the cobblestone streets.
|
