To Japan: Part 2 (of 2)

Paradoxdruid and I are going to Japan for our honeymoon — specifically, we’re going to Tokyo and Kyoto for about a week each in May. Earlier we posted our list of “must-see” places in Tokyo and now we thought we’d post our list for Kyoto. We’d love recommendations from people! Part 2: Kyoto.

Temples

• Kiyomizudera Temple (Japanese Buddhist temple from 780AD!)
• Sanjusangendo (from 1266AD, 1001 human-sized statues)
• Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) (Zen temple covered in gold, rated #1 most visited place to see in Kyoto on one website)
• Kokedera (Moss Temple) (amazing moss-covered temple/gardens)
• Mount Koya (Koyasan) (over 100 temples in this small hill town! It’d be a side-trip)
• Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) (Zen temple, built 1482)

Shrines

• Fushimi Inari Shrine (dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice)
• Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (I’m most excited about this because it hosts a flea market every 25th of the month!)

Castles

• Nijo Castle (Nijojo) (founded in 1603 for shogun and successors)
• Himeji Castle/City (Considered Japan’s most beautiful castle! Would be a side-trip.)

Gardens

• Shugakuin Imperial Villa
• Katsura Imperial Villa

Museums

• Miho Museum (works from Egyptian/Roman/Asian ancient culture/art, may be a side-trip)
• Kyoto International Manga Museum (very new)

Hot Springs

• Kurama (rural mountain town)
• Kinosaki (old-fashioned town, probably a side-trip)

Other Side-trips

• Nara (original capital of Japan, founded 710AD, has many old Buddhist temples)
• Arashiyama and Sagano (pleasant touristy district at the outskirts of Kyoto, has shops, scenic lake/river, bamboo groves, bike/rickshaw rentals, boat tours, and more)
• Osaka

Other

• Kyoto Station (I’m sure we’ll see it — apparently it’s quite futuristic.)

Please let us know if you have any recommendations/suggestions!!

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