Kyoto: A synonym of Japan's Culture
Kyoto, the capital of Kyoto Prefecture was known as Hei-an-kyou before the year 794.Kyoto is one of the culturally rich cities of Japan. Kyoto lies in the kansai region of the Honshuu island. And surrounded by mountains on three sides (Kitayama, Higashiyama and Nishiyama) with a humid and subtropical climate.
Here are some of the things you would like to know about:
- Historical facts
- Events and Festivals
- Places worth visiting
- Specialty/ Food culture
Historical Facts:
Did you know?? Kyoto was in the atomic bomb target list!!But later the U.S secretary of war Henry Stimson changed this decision. The reason for this was his personal fondness....Stimson visited Kyoto in 1920 for his Honeymoon and fell in love with Kyoto. And hence, on 25th July 1945 he added the name of Nagasaki instead of Kyoto. Thus, the beauty and fortune saved Kyoto from the bombarding.
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Henry Stimson
(U.S Secretary of War)
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Events and Festivals:Kyoto is a very lively city. It has numerous events and festivals. Here are some of them:
Gion Matsuri (festival):
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| Gion Matsuri -2017 |
Gion Matsuri is a festival of Yasaka Shrine. A parade is held on 17th and 18th of July every year. The parade contains Mikoshi(portable shrines) and Yamaboko(wooden floats).
Aoi Matsuri:
Aoi Matsuri is a festival of Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine. A procession takes place from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine via Shimogamo Shrine every year on 15th May. Aoi Matsuri is one of the oldest festival as it is celebrated for more than 1500 years. |
| Aoi Matsuri Procession |
Jidai Matsuri:
Jidai Matsuri is a festival celebrated on 22nd October every year. It was started in the latter half of the 19th century. The parade of Aoi festival displays the traditional costumes and the equipments. |
| Jidai Matsuri |
Places worth visiting:
Kyoto is full of natural and scenic beauty. Kyoto can also be called as a traveller's paradise. Here are some of the places you must visit:
Fushimi Inari Taisha:
Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of Inari. It is famous for it's Red Torii gates.
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| Red Torii gates of Fushimi Inari |
Arashiyama:
Arashiyama is a fascinating forest of Bamboo groves. It is one of the most famous places of Kyoto. |
| Arashiyama Bamboo Grove |
Kinkakuji:
Kinkakuji is a temple in the Northern part of Kyoto. The speciality of Kinkakuji is that the architecture of each floor is unique.
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| Kinkakuji Temple |
Kyomizudera:
Kyomizudera, meaning pure water temple, is a Buddhist temple found in the year 780 in Eastern Kyoto. Kyomizudera came to be known as UNESCO's World Heritage Site since the year 1994 .
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| Kyomizudera |
Nijoshiro:
Mr. Tokugawa Iyeyasu built Nijo Castle in the year 1603. Nijo castle was added in the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
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Nijo Castle
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Specialty/Food Culture:
How can one forget food culture?? So here are some of the specialties of Kyoto:
Yudofu:
Yudofu is Tofu boiled in water and kelp and served with ponzu sauce.
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| Yudofu |
Kaiseki Ryori:
Kaiseki Ryori is quintessential Japanese haute cuisine.It is a course meal made with meat. It can be enjoyed in Ryokan i.e. Japanese style Inn.
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| Kaiseki Ryori |
Shojin Ryori:
Shojin Ryori is a Japanese Vegetarian Cuisine specially for Buddhist monks.
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| Shojin Ryori |
Kyowagashi:
Kyowagashi is a traditional Okashi i.e.sweet.It is made from Mochi (rice flour), anko (bean paste) and fruits. It is served with Green tea (Macha).
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| Kyowagashi |
Above were some interesting things about Kyoto.
