CENTRAL KYOTO

Nijo Castle in Kyoto includes Nimomaru Palace and the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings and several beautiful Japanese gardens. Nijo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)" listing.

Kyoto Imperial Palace Park (also known as Kyoto Gyoen), located in Central Kyoto, contains three components: Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) - The Imperial residence when Kyoto was the capital of Japan, Sento Gosho the site of the former Sento Imperial Palace and the rest of the part which features large grassed areas, many trees and wide gravel paths.

Sento Gosho is a large garden located in the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park and next to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Sento Gosho is the site of the former Sento Imperial Palace which was destroyed several times by fire, however two tea houses still remain. The main feature of Sento Gosho is a large pond which features two main segments (north and south) with islands and walkways. The southern segment features a beach made of rounded stones.

Shinsen-en Garden was originally part of the Imperial Palace of Kyoto during the Heian Period and derives its name from the pure water which came from a natural spring. The current design of Shinsen-en Garden is from the Meiji Period. Shinsen-en Garden features a small island in the middle of a pond which houses a shrine honouring the female deity Zen-nyo-ryu-o. There is a picturesque drum shaped bridge (Hosei) which crosses the pond to the island.

Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) - The Imperial residence when Kyoto was the capital of Japan. Kyoto Gosho features a beautiful and highly acclaimed strolling traditional Japanese garden designed by Kobori Enshu.

Kyoto Tower dominates the skyline of Kyoto and seems out of place in the city of temples. Kyoto Tower and it observation deck are conveniently located near Kyoto Station.

The Museum of Kyoto, located in Central Kyoto, is a general cultural facitility which has permanent exhibitions covering the extensive history and culture of Kyoto. The Museum of Kyoto also has an art gallery displaying works of both Japanese and Western artists and a hall showing films associated with Kyoto. The Museum of Kyoto holds special exhbitions. The Museum of Kyoto is located in the former Bank of Japan - Kyoto Branch building which was constructed in the Meiji Period.

Daimaru is a chain a departments stores found throughout Japan. This one is located in Kyoto.

Higashi Honganji Temple is one of two Buddhist temples located a two hundred metres apart in Kyoto, which were until recently the one temple. Higashi Honganji Temple is now officially called Shinshu Honbyo, but is known by most people as Higashi Honganji Temple. Higashi Honganji Temple features a large hall which is a designated Important Cultural Properties. The two sites which were originally Honganji Temple form one site which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)" listing.

Honganji Temple is actually two Buddhist temples located two hundred metres apart in Kyoto, which were until recently the one temple. Both feature large halls which are designated Important Cultural Properties. The Nishi Honganji Temple features a Japanese garden which is designated as "Special Places of Scenic Beauty". Honganji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)" listing.

Mibudera Temple is the head temple for Risshu sect of Buddhism and is located in Kyoto. Mibudera Temple which was established in 991AD is famous for several things; its "Mibu kyogen" performance in April, its statue of Kondo Isami and its connection to the "shisen-gumi" (the samurai who protected Kyoto in the late Edo Period).

Nishi Honganji Temple is one of two Buddhist temples located two hundred metres apart in Kyoto, which were until recently the one temple. Nishi Honganji Temple features a large hall which are designated Important Cultural Properties. Nishi Honganji Temple also features a Japanese garden which is designated as "Special Places of Scenic Beauty". The two sites which were originally Honganji Temple form one site which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)" listing.

Toji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect, located near central Kyoto on a large site with extensive gardens, it is an oasis of calm in a busy area. Toji Temple is famous for its five story pagoda which is the tallest wooden tower in Japan. Toji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)" listing.

Pontocho is a district in Kyoto, known for Geisha, geisha houses and traditional tea houses. Like Gion, Pontocho is famous for the preservation of forms of traditional architecture and entertainment.

Kyoto Station is the most important transportation hub in Kyoto. Out the front of the Kyoto Station is the main Kyoto Bus Station where you can catch buses to most parts of Kyoto. Kyoto Station is a very modern building and is one of the largest buidlings in Japan.