Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Kyoto, Classic japanese...



Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Temple, mirrored in rippling waters of Kyo-ko Pond

Kyoto will satisfy a Fuji-sized appetite for the classic Japanese aesthetic.

Kyoto, with its hundreds of temples and gardens, was the imperial capital between 794 and 1868, and remains the cultural centre of Japan. Its raked pebble gardens, sensuously contoured temple roofs and mysterious Shintō shrines fulfill the Japanese fantasy of every Western cliché hunter.

With an astonishing 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shintō shrines, a trio of palaces, and dozens of gardens and museums, Kyoto is Japan's cultural treasure house. Seventeen of Kyoto's ancient structures and gardens have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites.



Night view of Japanese garden with wooden bridges and carp ponds


Positioning the goods in Kyoto's 400-year-old Nishiki market


Delicately portioned kaiseki food, served in Kyoto's more expensive restaurants


Amused schoolgirls and rickshaw driver, near Yasaka-jinja (Yasaka shrine)


Some of hundreds of stone statues in gardens of Adashino Nembutsu-ji Temple


Maiko , who will study five years before becoming geisha


Bamboo: used for building, musical instruments, sports equipment, and as food


Sumo wrestlers throwing salt, with referee, or gyoji in centre


Snowfall over leisure boat on Hozu River, Arashiyama

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