Old Kyoto City .... Spotlights on an Imperial City

When you walk through Kyoto...then you feel you are walking through centuries of the Japanese history. This imperial city was leading as a center of the Japanese religion, and as well, theater, music, dances, besides its role as a center of crafts during the Muromachi period (1334-1568). Spared by Allied bombing during World War II, the city is said to hold 20 percent of all Japan's national treasures, including more than 1,700 Buddhist temples and 300 Shinto shrines, all dispersed, often hidden, amid its modern cityscape.

What makes touring through that city full of enjoyment is that you can see Japan in the past represented by the temples and gardens. One of these temples called Ginkakuji (means the temple of the silver pavilion), which has many excellent designed gardens. Nearby, about half hour walk, locates Ryoanji Temple with small garden of raked white gravel and fifteen rocks has become a symbol of the essence of Zen wisdom.
Kyoto is famous by its finest artisans who serving the imperial court, and you can find their workshops on the quiet backstreets of Kyoto which including woodblock prints, silk and textile goods, dolls, and paper goods-are still known for their refinement, elegance, and artistry.
The best time to visit that magnificent imperial city is during its annual celebrations (called matsuri), and the most important three are Jidai, Aoi, and Gion. Thousands Citizens share in the Jidai celebration on 22nd of October. A theatrical procession of clothes from the dynasties of the 8th through 19th centuries snakes its way through the city, beginning at the Imperial Palace.
The cherry flowers will be gone when the Aoi festival floats through town on May 15, but spring will still be at its loveliest as hundreds of participants wearing the clothes of imperial courtiers parade to the Shimogamo Shrine to pray for the city's boom. The Aoi dates back to the 6th century and is believed to be the world's oldest surviving festival.

View By Satellite