Tokyo is located at the east of Japan.
Distance between Kyoto and Tokyo is about 370Km.
Tokyo is the capital for about only 150years.
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- 2 major rivers which flow from north to south at east end and west end.
'Katsura-gawa' at west end 'Kamo-gawa' at east end 
photo from east side of the river near Togetsu-kyo bridge photo from Kwaujin-bashi bridge Mt. Arashiyama is located at the overside of the river. Everyone can cross the river over the stepping-stones.
- Yet another river = Lake Biwa Canal
Elevated aqueduct (Suiro-kaku) Canal in the Okazaki Park area Ebisugawa Filtration Plant 
at south of Nanzen-ji temple sightseeing-ship on the canal at west end of Okazaki Park Suiro-kaku aqueduct is an elevated water bridge which was made to open the branch canal. Canal flows through the park. Everyone can board sightseeing-ship between cherry blossom season. Canal pours into Kamo-gawa via Ebisugawa Filtration Plant which is generating electricity now.
- Low mountains which are surrounding Kyoto.
(North-East) Mt.Hiei (Alt. 848m) (East) Mt.Awata and Mt.Katyou 
photo from Kwaujin-bashi bridge photo from Takano bridge (Kita-ooji St.) (Shinto asserts) Mt.Hiei always gaurd the north-east of Heian-kyo (Kyoto City). We can see low mountains over the Kamo-gawa. (South-East) Mt.Kiyomizu and Mt.Inari (West) Mt.Atago (Alt. 924m) 
photo from Kwaujin-bashi bridge photo from Konkai-komyo-ji temple (Kurodani) We can see low mauntains over the Kamo-gawa river. An ancient book says 'Everyone must climb Mt.Atago once a month'.
- So many Buddhist Temples are in Kyoto.
- A few samples of Buddhist Temples which are selected among so many Buddhist Temples by my favorite.
sub-temple 'Kohou-an' (in Daitoku-ji) Mansyu-in temple 
Photo is entrance called 'kuri'. located at north-east area (Kitayama-Shirakawa St.). 'Shoji Lighting' and Stone-lantern are wonderful. You can pilgrim at only special Exhibition week. You'd better to pilgrim in azelea season (May) and observe Stone-hand-bowl of owl. Honen-in temple Chion-in temple 
Photo is entrance gate decoratede by wood shingled roof. Photo is largest entrance gate in Kyoto. Honen is the founder of the Jodo school. Everyone can feel the spirits of Jodo school in this temple. This is the grand head temple of Jodo (Pure Land Sect.) school of Buddhism.
- A few samples of Buddhist Temples which are selected among so many Buddhist Temples by my favorite.
- Many Shinto Shrines are in Kyoto, too.
- The next 2 Shinto Shrines are most famous.
- For detail, pls refer 'Taxonomy of Shinto Shrines'
Heian-jingu Shrine Kitano Tenman-gu 
Photo is Huge Torii which is built in front of Shrine. Photo is 'Sanko-mon Gate'. You'd better to pilgrim in cherry blossoms (April) or iris (May) season. You'd better to pilgrim in plum season (Febrary-March).
- Emperer's Garden
- In current, Imperial Household Agency has 5 visitable facilities (2 palaces and 3 villas), and 4 /5 facilities are located in Kyoto.
- These are necessary to apply for visit in advance.
Shugaku-in Rikyu Imperial Villa Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa 
located at north-east area (beyond Kamo-gawa river) located at south-west area (beyond Katsura-gawa river) This is the most magnificent garden with plentiful Japanese beauties in Japan. Architect Bruno Taut said 'It makes me almost cry, it is so beautiful' at his first visit.
- In current, Imperial Household Agency has 5 visitable facilities (2 palaces and 3 villas), and 4 /5 facilities are located in Kyoto.
- Garden in Buddhist Temples.
- The next 2 gardens are most famous.
Stone garden in Ryoan-ji temple Azelea garden in Shisen-do temple 
Photo is the most famous stone garden called 'sekitei'. Photo is the view from the drawing room called 'shoin'. This 'Kare-sansui' is the extreme of Zen-sprit. This garden was designed by Jozan Ishikawa (1583-1672) who was a famous landscape architect.
- The next 2 gardens are most famous.
- Spring (March - May)
- Various flowers bloom in Spring.
Camellia in Reikan-ji temple (March) Cherry blossoms in Lake Biwa Canal (April) 
located at eastern Kyoto near Nanzen-ji. located at eastern Kyoto called 'Path of Philosophy'. Various of camellia bloom here. You can pilgrim Reikan-ji at only this camellia season. 'Philosophers' Walk' (Alias) is the famous place as most beautiful row of cherry blossom trees. Kamo-sai (Aoi-matsuri) 'Hollyhock Festival' (May) Iris laevigata in Oota-jinja Shrine (May) 
Aoi-matsuri is held at May 15 in hollyhock season. Photo is the pond in front of Oota-jinja. The old fashioned parade in Aoi-matsuri walks from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Simogamo-jinja Shrine (above photo). Iris laevigata (natural treasure) bloom all over the pond every year from Heian Period.
- Various flowers bloom in Spring.
- Summer (June - August)
- 3 traditional festivals are held in Summer.
Lindenbaum in Shin'nyo-do temple (June) Sal tree in sub-temple 'Tourin-in' (in Myoshin-ji) (June) 
Shin'nyo-do is located at eastern Kyoto near Kyoto University Myoshin-ji is located at western Kyoto near Ryoan-ji. It is said that Buddha attained spiritual enlightenment under a linden tree. The flowers of sal tree are short-lived according to 'The tale of Heike' in which argue 'Nothing is permanent'. Kyoto Gion Festival (July) Gozan Okuribi (five mountains sending off fire) (August) 
Gion-matsuri is held between allover July. Gozan Okuribi are held at August 16 from 8 pm. Most attractive Yamahoko float procession (above photo) are held at July 17 and 24. Gozan light up bonfires (lines of torches arranged in the shape of Kanji) on 5 mountains surrounding Kyoto. 'Jizo-bon' (child-focused religious festival) (August) Kawa-yuka dining at riverside (May - September) 
Jizo-bon is held around August 22 each every town. Kawa-yuka is held on evening between May and September. I think that Jizo-bon contribute the basic formation of Kyoto culture. Guests of Kawa-yuka can enjoy their meal hitting the cool Kamo-gawa river breezes during hot Kyoto Summer.
- 3 traditional festivals are held in Summer.
- Autumn (September - November)
- It is a good season for sightseeings in Autumn.
Osawa-no-ike Pond (September) Shop where manju named 'mangetsu' like full moon is sold 
Osawa-no-ike is located at western Kyoto near Daikaku-ji. Shop of 'mangetsu' is located at Kita-ooji St. This is a popular spot for viewing the harvest moon. In the past, emperor who get on the boat floating in the pond looked the moon. A manju is a popular traditional Japanese confection (similar to bun) filled with sweet bean paste. Red leaves of Maple in Eikan-do temple (November) Yellow leaves of Ginkgo in Renge-ji temple (November) 
Eikan-do is located at eastern Kyoto near Nanzen-ji. Renge-ji is located at north-east area of Kyoto near Shugaku-in. There are many places of Autumn leaves in Kyoto. Autumn leaves season is an ideal time for walking in Kyoto. Renge-ji has a stroll garden, numerous colorful Autumn trees and a sophisticated main hall with many decorations.
- It is a good season for sightseeings in Autumn.
- Winter (December - February)
- There are many events in Winter.
'Kaomise' performance of Kabuki at Minami-za (December) 'Joya-no-Kane' (108 times bells at New Year's Eve) 
'Kabuki show with all-star cast' is held in December every year in Kyoto. Photo is a large bell of Shoro(bell tower) in Konkai-komyo-ji. Actor names who will play protagonists next year are described at plates called 'Maneki' (photo). The 108 times Night bell of bell tower is hitted at midnight in every temple to discard the worldly desires. 'Hatsu-moude' at Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu (January) 'Godai Rikison' (February) 
This shrine is located in Yawata city of Kyoto prefecture. Syogo-in is located at eastern Kyoto near Nanzen-ji. Every Kyoto citizen prays at their regional shrine on New Year's Day in custom. Practitioners of Shugendo, called 'yamabushi' pray your health and home safety on Febryary 23.
- There are many events in Winter.
- Japanese Restaurants
- These are granted the Michelin three stars.
Okazaki Tsuru-ya Hyo-Tei 
This is located at eastern Kyoto near Nanzen-ji. This is located at eastern Kyoto near Nanzen-ji. This is one of Kyoto's highest prestige restaurants. Banquet dinner party of Queen Elizabeth II was held here. This is one of Kyoto's oldest and most picturesque traditional restaurants. Soft-boiled egg is famous.
- These are granted the Michelin three stars.
- Japanese Inns
- These are granted the Michelin two or three stars.
Tama-Han Ryokan Tawara-ya Ryokan 
This is located at eastern Kyoto in the Stone wall alley. This is located at central Kyoto near City Hall. It is a typical traditional Japanese inn. Guests are served intimate hospitalities because it is a 'compact' inn.(closed now) It is classic in every sense. Guests have included the imperial family and overseas royalty.
- These are granted the Michelin two or three stars.
- A few samples of museums which are selected among so many museums by my favorite.
| Raku Museum | Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art |
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| located at central Kyoto (Aburano-koji Ave.). | located at eastern Kyoto near Nanzen-ji. |
| You can enjoy famous raku-yaki style of pottery which were begun by master 'Chojiro' at 16th century. | This was opened in 1933 as the second large public art museum in Japan and are designed with Japanese tastes. |
| Kawai Kanjiro's House | Yurinkan Museum |
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| located at central Kyoto near Gojo Street | located at south end of Okazaki Park. |
| Kanjiro Kawai declared the 'beauty of usage' by focusing on Japanese folk art and triggered the Mingei Movement. | This is private museum opened in 1926. You can see ancient Chinese art works which effected on Japanese culture. |
- Universities
- Kyoto is one of Japan's major educational centers. There are many universities in Kyoto.
- So, Kyoto is called 'town of students'.
Kyoto University Doshisha University 
Photo is a main gate with a famous clock tower. Photo is a historical building which was built at 1894. This was founded by imperial ordinance on 1897, and produced the largest number of Nobel laureates in Japan. Doshisha Academy was established on 1875 by J.H.Neesima (Jo Niijima) who was baptized.
- Tea Ceremony (Cha-no-yu) and Flower Arrangement (Ikebana)
- These are outstanding arts among enumerous arts which contribute the basic formation of Japanese culture.
Urasenke Konnichian (one of Cha-no-yu centers) Ikenobo (one of Ikebana centers) 
Photo is Kabuto-mon Gate of Konnichian. Photo is Rokkaku-do where Ikenobo was developped at 15th century. Tea Ceremony (Cha-no-yu) is a spiritual and aesthetic discipline for refinement of the self. Omotesenke is one of schools. Ikebana (Kado) is the way to arrange flowers to represent heaven, earth and humanity. Sogetsu is one of schools.
- These are outstanding arts among enumerous arts which contribute the basic formation of Japanese culture.
- Historical Places
- There are many historical places in Kyoto because Kyoto was the capital of Japan for long term.
- A few samples of places which are selected among so many places from the point of view of Imperial family's history.
Ruins of Heian-kyo-Daigokuden Replica of Oten-mon Gate (Heian-jingu) 
This is located at central Ancient Kyoto (Senbon Ave.). Photo is Oten-mon Gate of Daigokuden (Replica). Daigokuden is a Main Palace in the Imperial Palace. It was built at 794 and destroyed by fire at 1177. It was built at 1895 by 5/8 its original size and is located at eastern Kyoto in Okazaki park (different place from original). Kyoto Imperial Palace (Gosho) Nijo-jo Castle (Nijo-jo) 
Photo is Kenshun-mon Gate at east-south of Gosho. Photo is Higashi-Ote-mon Gate (Horikawa Ave.). Gosho was a home to the Imperial family from 1332 to 1869 (after 1177's fire, different place from original). Tokugawa family built Nijo-jo at 1603 to monitor the Imperial family. Castle is a world Heritage.
- A few samples of places which are selected among many places by my favorite.
| 'Daimonji Hidoko' (Fire place of Gozan Okuribi) | view from 'Daimonji Hidoko' |
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| located at eastern Kyoto between Mt.Hiei and Mt.Awata. | look west from here. |
| Hidoko (fire place) is set up on the shape of Kanji 'Dai' which is visible in the halfway up Mt.Daimonji. | You can see Kyoto Imperial Palace (forest in front) and Shimogamo Shrine (fork of Kamo-gawa river). |
| The garden of 'Okochi-sanso Villa' | view from 'Okochi-sanso Villa' |
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| located at western Kyoto near Mt.Arashiyama. | look east from here. |
| This is the lavish home of 'Okochi Denjiro' who was a famous actor in samurai films, and is good in Autumn. | You can see the low mountaions surrounding Kyoto at eastern end from Mt.Hiei to Mt.Inari (behind side). |
- There are another places. For example
- 'Shogunzuka mound'
- You can the same great views as 'Daimonji Hidoko'.
- You must climb mountain for 'Daimonji Hidoko', but you can go to 'Shogunzuka mound' by Keihan bus.
- More convenient places to go, but to get less funs.
- Kyoto Tower
- Kyoto station rooftop observatory
- 'Shogunzuka mound'