Location: Kyoto, Japan
Note: This is a part of my 6-day Japan Tour
Source: Japan Guide.com
Unfortunately, it was in this tour that I did not alternately used my digicam that I lost my pictures. I only used the camera of my Samsung mobile phone where its SD is no longer supported and so I lost all the pictures stored on it. Good that I sent a few to my friends through my Facebook Messenger.
This photo of Kiyomizu-dera Temple is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This was the second destination of our second day in Kyoto where we were based in Osaka. The destinations where we visited during the first day was at Shinsekai and Dotonbori area, both in Osaka City. The first destination of the day was at Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine where we spent the whole morning.
Kyoto was once the ancient capital of Japan with a 1200 year history. The Higashiyama District is one of Kyoto’s best-preserved areas located on its eastern edge. It holds some of the city’s important and popular temples and shrines. But, many people also come here to experience the streets and local culture and especially the district’s two-kilometer (1.2 mile) path filled with history and charm. Have a stroll here and be fascinated with surprises you will see along your way.
The Higashiyama District along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts. It is a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, where the narrow lanes, wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops invoke a feeling of the old capital city. Recent renovations to remove telephone poles and repave the streets have further improved the traditional feel of the district.
The streets in Higashiyama are lined by small shops, cafes and restaurants which have been catering to tourists and pilgrims for centuries. These businesses retain their traditional design, although many have been renovated through the years, and they continue to serve customers today, selling local specialties such as Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, sweets, pickles, crafts and other souvenirs.
The shops and restaurants in the area typically open around nine or ten in the morning and close relatively early around five or six in the evening, except during the ten day long Hanatoro in March when the streets of Higashiyama are lined by thousands of lanterns and many of the area's temples, shrines and businesses have extended hours and special illuminations.
While the walk through the Higashiyama District between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine is only about two kilometers long and could be done in half an hour, you could easily spend half a day or more in the area, visiting the various temples, shrines, shops and cafes along the way. Good walkers are likely to enjoy walking beyond Yasaka Shrine past Chionin and Shorenin Temples to Heian Shrine, and possibly even further via Nanzenji and the Philosopher's Path to Ginkakuji Temple.
It was really disappointing that I have to post pictures here where I myself appear on it but the detailed pictures I took through my mobile phone camera were no longer accessible in my mobile phone with its unsupported SD. It only signals that I need to go back to Japan and recapture the best of Higashiyama District where most shops would give food pre-taste. It was so festive and you cannot capture every corner without the crowds of people in sight.
TRANSPORT ACCESS
From Kyoto Station take bus number 100 or 206 in direction of Kiyomizudera. The Higashiyama district can be accessed from multiple bus stops between the Gojozaka (10 minutes, 230 yen one way) and Gion (15 minutes, 230 yen) bus stops.
Alternatively, the district can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station or Gion-Shijo Station along the Keihan Line, from Kawaramachi Station along the Hankyu Line or from Higashiyama Station along the Tozai Subway Line.
HOW TO GET TO AND AROUND HIGASHIYAMA DISTRICT
There are so much delicacies to buy and eat here. Most of the stores offer free food tasting.
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