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Kyoto, Nara & Osaka
Located in the Kansai area, these three famous cities are all major tourist destinations, each having contributed distinctive elements towards Japanese history and culture. Capital of Japan for over 1000 years, Kyoto remains Japan’s star attraction. Founded in AD 794, the city’s vast number of temples, shrines, museums and historical sites acts as a textbook to Japanese history, while her arts, crafts and cuisine rank among the country’s finest. ‘Must see’ sights include the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), the minimalist Zen rock garden of Ryoanji, impressive Kiyomizu Temple and the Imperial gardens and villas of Katsura and Shugakuin (permit required). The splendid medieval Nijo Castle, the vermilion-lacquered Heian Shrine and the Buddhist art treasures of Sanjusangendo Temple are also well worth visiting. The city’s many historical neighbourhoods, such as the rural temples of Arashiyama, the textile workshops of Nishijin and the Gion geisha district, are best explored on foot. Kyoto hosts three major traditional summer events, the colourful Aoi, Gion and Jidai Festivals.
Nara, one hour south of Kyoto, is a major Buddhist centre and acted as Japan’s capital during the eighth century AD. Visitors flock to see the famous ‘great Buddha’ of Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden structure, ancient Kasuga Shrine and the Buddhist sculptures of Kofukuji Temple. The beautiful expanses of Nara Park are home to hundreds of sacred deer. Nearby, the venerable Horyuji Temple dates back to the seventh century AD.
One of Japan’s largest cities, prosperous and commercial Osaka is renowned for its abundance of excellent restaurants, historic Osaka Castle and the performing arts of Kabuki and Bunraku. The city also boasts an impressive aquarium and superb Museum of Oriental Ceramics. The city’s busy Namba and Umeda districts are renowned for their nightlife and the Dotonburi area is particularly vibrant after dark. Universal Studios Japan opened its 140 acre theme park in Osaka in 2001, an attraction which is proving to be enormously popular.
EXCURSIONS: The historic town of Uji, between Kyoto and Nara, is famous for the graceful Byodoin Temple which is featured on Japan’s ¥10 coin. Pilgrims and tourists are welcomed by the many temples and monasteries on scenic Mount Koya, two hours from Osaka, where overnight temple lodgings and Buddhist vegetarian cuisine are offered at reasonable prices. The port city of Kobe has an international flavour and is famous for its old foreign-style houses and buildings dating from the Meiji era.
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