Kyoto has had a very long and important historical and cultural impact on the country. Many arts originating in China were studied, practiced, acculturated and perfected in this city. Today, these arts are still flourishing. Some of these arts include architectural design and tea ceremonies (including ceramics).
The city had been reduced to rubble and rebuilt various times, it had been the capital of Japan various times, it had seen prosperous times of peace and despair through war, and through all of the changes, the arts flourished and survived. Which, is perhaps one of the reasons this city is so popular among tourists.
Pictured Above: Nanzenji Temple. This particular picture is from the impressive Sonmon Gate.
Pictured Above: Nanzenji Temple. The gate to this property was locked, so naturally, I had to poke my nose in!
Link: http://nanzenji.com/english/index.html
Pictured Above: Heian-Jingu. Shinto Shrine for the founder during the Heian Period.
Link: http://www.heianjingu.or.jp/index_e.html
Pictured Above: Ginkakuji Temple (The Silver Pavilion).
Link: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/kyoto-ginkakuji.htm
Pictured Above: Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavillion).
I heard one tourist say "Pish-posh, it just looks like spray paint." Ok, it may look like spray paint, but it's actually GOLD-LEAF lacquered on!
Link: http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/japan/kyoto/kinkakuji.php
Pictured Above: A building adjacent to the train station.
Pictured Above: Is is a Bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Astro Boy!
Pictured Above: Kyoto Tower.
Pictured Above: Contemporary Architecture in Kyoto.
The city had been reduced to rubble and rebuilt various times, it had been the capital of Japan various times, it had seen prosperous times of peace and despair through war, and through all of the changes, the arts flourished and survived. Which, is perhaps one of the reasons this city is so popular among tourists.
Pictured Above: Nanzenji Temple. This particular picture is from the impressive Sonmon Gate.
Pictured Above: Nanzenji Temple. The gate to this property was locked, so naturally, I had to poke my nose in!
Link: http://nanzenji.com/english/index.html
Pictured Above: Heian-Jingu. Shinto Shrine for the founder during the Heian Period.
Link: http://www.heianjingu.or.jp/index_e.html
Pictured Above: Ginkakuji Temple (The Silver Pavilion).
Link: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/kyoto-ginkakuji.htm
Pictured Above: Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavillion).
I heard one tourist say "Pish-posh, it just looks like spray paint." Ok, it may look like spray paint, but it's actually GOLD-LEAF lacquered on!
Link: http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/japan/kyoto/kinkakuji.php
Pictured Above: A building adjacent to the train station.
Pictured Above: Is is a Bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Astro Boy!
Pictured Above: Kyoto Tower.
Pictured Above: Contemporary Architecture in Kyoto.