Cherry Blossoms
by Rabbityama
Cherry blossom viewing has been an important part of Japanese culture for hundreds of years, so naturally, many visitors to Japan want to experience this part of Japan and Kyoto is arguably the most popular place for foreigners to go! When the blossoms bloom always depends on the weather, but generally they begin to bloom around late March/early April and last for two weeks. In Kyoto there are light-up events the first week of April for you to view blossoms at night in specific places (mainly Arashiyama and Higashiyama areas).
Some of the best places to see the blossoms are:
In Higashiyama (Eastern Kyoto): Kiyomizu Temple, Heian Shrine (one of my personal favorites), Philosopher's Path (historic pathway alligned with blossoms), Nanzenji Temple, Maruyama Park (famous single tree), Okazaki Canal area
In Central Kyoto: Toji Temple (one of my favorites), Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Park (northern part of the park)
In Western Kyoto: Arashiyama (the hillside is covered with cherry trees)
In Southern Kyoto: Daigoji Temple (this is one of the official "top 100" spots, although foreigners don't usually come here), Shojoji (nicknamed "cherry blossom temple), Kajuji Temple
In Northern Kyoto: Ninnaji Temple, Ryoanji Temple, Hirano Shrine (one of the most famous places for locals but foreigners don't visit as much), Kyoto Botanical Garden
For cherry blossom viewing, don't be afraid to go to a lesser known area with blossoms. It may be much better than an overcrowded site!
Japanese language.
by Sharrie
Japanese language is one of the most complicated! Three types of characters. Anyway, here's some useful phrases to keep in mind in case you need help.
IN AN EMERGENCY:Help! Tas'kete!
Stop! Tomete!
Fire! Kaji!
Call the police Keisatsu o yonde kudasai!
Useful Phrases:
Yes Hai
No Ie
Thank you Arigato gozaimasu
Please Dozo
Sorry Sumimasen
Excuse Me Sumimasen
I don't understand Wakarimasen
Do you speak English? Eigo o hanashimasuka?
How are you? Ogenki desu ka ?
Good morning Ohayo gozaimasu
Good afternoon Konnichiwa
Good evening Konbanwa
Good night Oyasumi nasai
Good bye Sayonara
Take the bus
by CO-Chad
Compared to other Japanese cities, Kyoto's trains are relatively inconvenient. City busses are a better choice. Most tourist sites can be reached by bus, and busses are marked with the name of their destination in English as well as Japanese.
A one-day bus pass, available at Kyoto Station or various bus terminals, is 500 yen and allows unlimited use of city busses. (A single trip on the city bus is 220 yen.) A sight seeing pass allows you to ride city busses, the subway, and some trains within the city. It's 1,200 yen for one day or 2,000 yen for two days.
French Cuisine served in Japanese Kaiseki Style!!
by bluestarkc about Misoguigawa
Classification Of Food Establishment: Ethnic
Dining here could well be the culinary highlight of your trip. For more than 25 years -- long before fusion cuisine burst onto the scene -- this lovely and exclusive restaurant has been serving nouvelle French cuisine that utilizes the best of Japanese style and ingredients in what could be called French kaiseki. It's located on narrow Pontocho, which parallels the Kamo River and is one of Kyoto's most famous nightlife districts, in a century-old renovated wooden building that once belonged to a geisha. Dishes are the creations of owner/master-chef Teruo Inoue, who trained with a three-star Michelin chef and successfully blends the two cuisines into dishes that are arranged like a work of art and served on Japanese tableware. Although four set meals are offered, diners are often asked for their preferences and dislikes, with favorite foods incorporated into at least one dish. The dining experience is enhanced by an English-speaking staff, who explain the ingredients of each dish as it's presented, and by an extensive wine list, culled from Inoue's annual visits to France. Seating options include an L-shaped counter with tatami seating and leg wells; an informal counter for customers who prefer to order a la carte dishes (written in French and changing regularly) while watching chefs at work; private tatami rooms; and my favorite, an outdoor summer veranda overlooking the river. Note that the L-shaped counter and veranda add a 10% service charge and private rooms add a 15% service charge, but no service charge is added for the a la carte counter. This is a great place for a splurge.
Hours Tues-Sun 11:30-2pm and 5:30-8:30pm (last order)
Attire: Smart Casual Special KAISEKI "YURAGI"
They use special selected luxury ingredients for the dishes. It can be reserved before more than 5 days.
A beautiful spot in Kyoto
by muratkorman
Kinkakuji is a Zen temple known as Rokuonji. In 1397 construction started on Golden Pavillion as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his death in 1408, it was converted into a Zen temple. The Golden Pavillion houses sacred relics of Buddha and is covered in gold leaf. The present building was built in 1955 while the previous one was burnt by a fanatic monk in 1950. The admission fee is 400 JPY. It is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
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Golden Pavillion
Imperial Palace Garden
Kyoto train station
Inside Suzumushi-dera
