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570-164 Gionmachi-minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 605-0074, Japan
Dragon Pond
Yabusame Archer Hits the Target
Tower from Shosei-en
The colors of the maple trees
How does one go about finding an English speaking guide in Kyoto. I’m going to be there in about 2 weeks with my family. It’s my first time in Kyoto (at least in a long, long while—like 45 year). I used lived there until I was about 7 and then moved to the US and had never gone back prior to now. I’m half Japanese and half anglo. I’m taking my wife and 2 daughter there with me.
We’ll be in Kyoto for a week and one of the things I would like to do is to see if I can find where I used to live. I think it was Fushimi. I think the relatives I had there are deceased, at least the ones I use to know. I can figure out how to visit the various tourist places in Kyoto but I would feel better about having a guide when I go to Fushimi. For a long time I couldn’t remember the name of the little town that I grew up in but I think it was Fushimi because I remember there was a replica of a castle being built up in the hills nearby (circa 1960) that we used to go see and I also remember that a number of my relatives worked at sake distilleries and I understand that Fushimi is known for sake brewing.
Thank, Tony.
JTB has English speaking tour guides and various plans. Take a look at the this site for the Kyoto Day tours towards the bottom:
http://act.jtbgmt.com/itdt/scripts/sunrise/sunrise_list.asp?webyear=2006&orig=agent&webg=1200&t_gp=Y#kyoto
You may also wish to call their offices and see if they can tailor-make something for you. See the below page for their contact numbers:
http://www.jtbusa.com/enhome/sunrise.asp
Take time to check out those wonderful little shops lining the road leading to Kiyomizu. Along Kiyomizuzaka you'll find many types of Kyoto crafts which make excellent momentos & souvenirs.
One of the most delightful shopping streets in Japan!
If you are short on time but want to buy nice Japanese handicrafts, this is the best place in Kyoto to do it. It is really a 5 floor handicraft mall. Each floor is a different vendor. You are given a card when you enter that can be validated by each vendor you buy from. Depending on how many stamps you have on the card you get a free gift when you leave. Some of the artisans work on their crafts right there. Cloisnnne jewelry, pearls, fans, wood block prints, textile products. A large variety of items in all price ranges are available.
Kyoto also has a subway, convenient to use. Tickets are sold by a ticket vendingmachine. Prices start at 200 Yen. Above the machines are maps with prices at all stations. The downside is there are only two lines.
From north to south the Karasuma line and from east to west the Tozai line.
These tours take you through the heart of old Kyoto, along the back streets of the geisha district, with your guide explaining the incredibly complex layers of geisha training, etiquette and tradition. Pick the right time and you may be lucky to catch one of the exquisitely attired ladies on her way to an important appointment.
Toei is one of Japan's most famous and oldest movie companies, best known for their production of samurai and superhero TV series and movies. Visitors here can see a combined theme park/museum with reconstructions of historic buildings from the Edo period as wells as various performances such as a Ninja fight. You may even see a real TV production taking place. The musuem will probably be of less interest to gaijin visitors but seems to give a quite comprehensive history of the movie business in Japan. It was quite fun to see the costumes of the 'Super Sentai' characters from a famous Japanese superhero show, adapted in the West as the 'Power Rangers'.
A good day out and a much needed respite for anybody who is feeling temple fatigue in Kyoto.
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Q: Any suggestion for the hotels in Kyoto Centre which less than 10 min walk to JR Kyoto station? "Hi there, I’d try online booking for Shimizu Ryokan near the JR Kyoto station for dates: 8, 9 & 10 Jun. But it's fully book...."
A: "I stayed at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto which is about a 10 min walk from the station (I walked directly form there) and was quite happy with commodities and price."
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