Kyoto city (City area)

Higashiyama B

B. Course B starts at the colorful Heian-jingu Shrine, from where you walk down to the beautiful landscaped gardens of Shoren-in Temple, and then down to the grand Chion-in Temple grounds. The main hall is eerily cold as you enter its large wooden doors. In the semi-darkness people kneel in prayer, chanting in hushed voices before the great altar. After a gentle stroll around Maruyama Park, you head through the bustle of Yasaka-jinja Shrine and along Ishibekoji, where rickshaw pullers call out for you to take a ride with them through the narrow streets as you climb to Kodai-ji Temple. From here you pass along Yasaka-jinja Pagoda and up Sannenzaka Slope, a steep slope with quaint wooden houses, front doors lined with bonsai and crafts, all the way up to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

As you walk along the cobbled streets on a quiet spring evening, the stone lanterns in place for the Hana Toro (flower lantern) festival, guide you down the narrow lanes to temple gardens, which gently change color with the seasons. Its easy to lose yourself in the narrow stone-paved streets of Ishibekoji and Sannenzaka Slope with their countless traditional shops selling crafts and tea. Stepping beyond the facade into the dark teashop, you feel as if you've entered a world gone by as the old lady wrapped in kimono kneels and bows as she pours the tea, and politely reminds you to remove your shoes. Along Chawanzaka Slope (lit. Teacup Slope), the streets are all a bustle with people in search of the perfect piece of ceramic ware to take home from this lane - the home of artisans and the Yuzo Kondo Memorial Museum, dedicated to the famous maker of ceramics honored as a Living National Treasure. This museum is just one of many as you spend a day wandering this atmospheric corner of the Old Capital.

Recommended Course B

Half-Day Course