Kyoto Highlights(B): Golden Pavilion, Ginkakuji Temple, Ryoanji Temple, Philosopher's Walk & Gion Geisha District

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

In this tour, you visit major sight-seeing spots like Ryoanji Temple with a world-famous stone garden, Golden Pavilion Temple, Silver Pavilion Temple, Philosopher’s Walk, Nanzenji Temple, the walk lined with willow trees along Shirakawa River and Gion, a flower town with Geisha girls. Kyoto has been a city with plenty of enterprising spirits, and all of these were first made as unprecedented designs, and still they have a lot of appeal. In this tour, you can see excellent gardens Kyoto boasts of. Basically public transportation is used, but walks where you can see the streets are also included.

ITINERARY

Your hotel→Ryoanji Temple→Golden Pavilion Temple→Silver Pavilion Temple→ Philosopher’s Walk→Nanzenji Temple→ the walk lined with willow trees along Shirakawa River→Gion

More Info: ◆Ryoanji Temple
Ryoanji Temple belongs to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. It was founded in 1450, after Hosokawa Katsumoto, a Shogunate government officer, inherited the former villa from one of the Imperial Court nobles, families the the Tokudaiji family. Its biggest attraction is the world famous dry landscape garden. The garden is an austere collection of 15 rocks in various sizes, arranged in five groups adrift in a rectangular sea of white sand. Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ, a monarch of the United Kingdom, and Jean Paul Sartre, a French philosopher, have both greatly admire this dry landscape garden. It is one of the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto, and is designated as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site.

◆Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion Temple)
Second only to Mt Fuji as Japan's most famous sight, Hokusan Rokuonji Temple is better known as Kinkakuji Temple, or the Golden Pavilion, because of its dazzling gold-covered main hall, that seems to float above the surrounding pond. The three-storied pavilion is covered in gold leaf on the second and third floors and features a bronze phoenix with a gilt impression on top of the roof. The mirror-like reflection of the temple in the pond is extremely photogenic, especially when the maple trees are ablaze in autumn. Their temple is an impressive feat. It is one of the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto, designated as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site.

◆Ginkakuji Temple (Silver pavilion Temple)
It was founded as a villa of Shogun ASHIKAGA Yoshimitsu at the end of the 15th century. It was turned into a Zen Buddhist temple after his death. There is no sigh that silver was put on the pavilion. Almost all the traditional Japanese arts are said to originate from the era of Yoshimitsu. The garden here embodies Japanese beauty, created by simplicity and aging, and is popular among foreign visitors. Near it is the Philosopher’s Walk.

◆Philosopher’s Walk
It’s the 2km long walk along a branch stream of Biwako Canal created around 1900. It stretches from Silver Pavilion Temple to Nyakuoji at the foot of the Eastern Mountain area with a lot of greenery. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms. It was named after the philosopher, NISHIDA Kitaro, who lived near it and loved walking along the path.

◆Nanzenji Temple
Nanzenji Tempe is the main temple of the Nanzenji sect of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism,with numerous sub-temples on its expansive grounds. It began its existence as a retirement villa for Emperor Kameyama, but it was dedicated as a Zen temple upon his death in 1291. Its original buildings were burned down in the late 15th century, and most of the present structures were reconstructed in the17th century. In front of the main hall, there is a dry landscape garden called the "Leaping Tiger Garden", which is well worth a visit. Gorgeous paintings are also shown on the thick paper sliding doors in the main halls. Nanzenji Temple is as graceful, splendid and magnificent Zen temple.

◆Gion
Gion is the entertainment district beautifully lined with traditional town houses and restaurants, where geisha girls (Geiko) and apprentice geisha girls (Maiko) live and work at night. There’re Ochayas where a party is held inviting them, and Okiyas, special dormitories for them. Nowadays some of them have been turned into restaurants and souvenir shops. You can’t enter an ochaya without anyone who introduces you there, but lately some sightseeing facility is available where you can meet them.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel your reservation, the following cancellation fees and remittance charge will be charged:
(1) 14-3 days before the program day: 20 % of the program fee
(2) 2 days before the program day: 50 % of the program fee
(3) one day before, on the departure day, or cancellation without notice: 100 % of the program fee