| Kyoto Pop. 1.459 million |
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Explanation of Signs- Scenic tourist destination: the number
of star (from 1 to 4 ) corresponds
to the
degree of excellence of the location.- Tourist destination with historic heritages
and/or cultural assets: the number
of star
(from 1 to 4) corresponds to the importance
of respective location. - Grade of YH facility. 3-star is for the
standard grade, and 4-star is for the
highest
grade. |
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 Durig the 'Heian' period (8 - 12c), which
falls into the medieval time of the Japanese
history, the nation's capital had been set
in Kyoto. The ancient capital had been the
seat of the Imperial Court (the Emperor's
residential palace) during this period, and
until 1867. Temples of different periods
had been constructed in and outside of the
city during its long history as the capital.
Kyoto is the cradle of important elements
of the Japanese culture, including gardens,
Zen Buddhism, tea ceremony, flower arrangement,
etc. While many of the city's temples boast
long history, graceful atmosphere of the
former times is very well preserved in the
residential quarters and the street corners.
There are a number of museums and cultural
establishments in the city, such as 'the
National Museum of Kyoto'.[Access from major cities] Train / - Hakata St. <Shinkansen, Nozomi> 2hr40min.(661km)  Kyoto St.- Hiroshima St. <Shinkansen, Hikari> 2hr10min.(381km) Kyoto St.- Nagoya St. <Hikari> 45min. (148km) Kyoto St.- Tokyo St. <Hikari> 2hr40min.(514km) Kyoto St.Long distance bus / - Hakata St. Kotsu Center <bus> 9hr30min.(night bus) Kyoto St.- Tokyo St. <bus> 8hr Kyoto St.[Festival] Aoi Festival: May 15. Gion Festival: July 1-31. Daimonji Bonfire: Aug 16. Jidai Festival : Oct 22 [YH in the area] Utano YH tel 075-462-2288, Higashiyama YH tel 075-761-8135,Kitayama YH tel 075-492-5345[Tips on sightseeing]
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| Main Route from Kyoto to Nagoya | ||
| Hieizan 'Hieizan' is the name given to the mountain range, which lies in the eastern part of Kyoto. From Enryakuji, an old temple located on one of the mountains, a panoramic view of the city of Kyoto can be enjoyed. The temple is within an easy reach of tourists by way of a ride on cable car or bus. A day trip from Kyoto is feasible. A tour bus departing from JR Kyoto Station runs regularly [Access] - Kyoto St. <bus> 1hr Enryakuji <bus> 20min. Hieizan. - Kyoto St. <bus> 20min. Demachi-yanagi St. <private, ordinary>
15min. Yase-yuen St. <cable car> 18min. Hieizan.Omihachiman Omihachiman is an old, peaceful town with creeks, where commerce had flourished in former days. While the town preserves historic houses and architectures of the Edo period, a scenic view of the Lake Biwa can be overlooked from the site where a castle of the feudal era used to stand. [Access] Kyoto St. <JR, rapid> 30min. Ohmi-hachiman St. <bus> 10min. Hachiman-yama Ropeway <ropeway> 5min.
Hachiman-jo-ato (castle site).[YH in the area] Omihachiman YH tel 0748-32-2938Omi Kibogaoka YH tel 077-587-2201Hida / Shirakawago The whole village has been designated as the UNESCO's World Heritage Site. Here, the traditional Japanese lifestyle in an old mountain village can be observed. Tens of big old farmhouses built in the style of 'Gassho-zukuri' (a form of hands placed together for a prayer) are preserved in the area, among which a youth hostel is being housed. The appearance of the village provides the atmosphere of lives and histories of the families lived in a community within the deep valley. An old castle of Gujo-hachimnan, clear streams that run through the area, and a scenic highland view of Hirugano can be enjoyed on the way to Takayama. Two days will be nec-essary for visiting important places in the area. Tour buses for sightseeing in Shirakawago, departing either from Takayama Station or Gero Station, are in service on a regular basis. [Access] - Nagoya St.<JR, ltd. express> 20min. Gifu St. <JR, ltd.express> 20min.
Mino Ota St. <private, Nagaragawa Tetsudo,
local> 2hr Mino Shirotori St. <bus> 1hr50min.
Ogimachi or Hatogaya.- Direct bus ser-vice is operated during summer: Nagoya St. <bus> 4hr5min. Hatogaya.[YH in the area] YH Gujo Tosenji tel 0575-67-0290Hida- Takayama / Hida- Furukawa Takayama preserves historic quarters with many old buildings constructed between the end of Edo period and the Meiji period (early 18c `20c.), which attract tourists to the town. Furukawa is a town with more rustic atmosphere, where the Japan National Trust lends a helping hand to its preservation. A day or two will be necessary for sightseeing. A tour bus from Takayama Station is in service regularly. [Access] Nagoya St. <JR, ltd.express> 20min. Gifu St. <JR, ltd.express> 1hr 50min.
Takayama St. <JR, ltd.express> 13min.
Hida Furukawa St.[Festival] Takayama Spring Festival: Apr 14-15. Takayama Autumn Festival: Oct 9-10. Furukawa Matsuri (Okoshi Daiko): Apr 19-20 [YH in the area] Hida Takayama Tenshoji YH tel 0577-32-6345Hida Furukawa YH tel 0577-75-2979 |
