Central Kyoto - Kyoto - page 167

The shrine is dedicated to the god of harvest. Traditionally, pure water was drawn from
the nearby rivers for purification and agricultural ceremonies. The hondō (main hall) dates
from 1863 and, like the Haiden hall at its sister shrine, Kamigamo-jinja, is an excellent
example of nagare -style shrine architecture. The annual yabusame (horseback archery)
event here is spectacular. It happens on 3 May in Tadasu-no-mori.

KYOTO BOTANICAL GARDENS
( 京都府立植物園 ; 701-0141; Shimogamohangi-chō, Sakyō-ku; gardens adult ¥200, child ¥80-150, green-
house adult ¥200, child ¥80-150; gardens 9am-5pm, greenhouse 9am-4pm; 5min walk from Kitayama Station,
Karasuma subway line) The Kyoto Botanical Gardens, opened in 1914, occupy 240,000 sq
metres and feature 12,000 plants, flowers and trees. It is pleasant to stroll through the rose,
cherry and herb gardens or see the rows of camphor trees and the large tropical green-
house. This is a good spot for a picnic or a bit of frisbee throwing. It's also a great spot for
a hanami (cherry blossom viewing) party and the blossoms here tend to hold on a little
longer than those elsewhere in the city.

| BOTANICAL GARDEN

SUMIYA PLEASURE HOUSE
( 角屋もてなしの文化美術館 ; 351-0024; Shimo gyō-ku, Nishishinyashikiageya-chō 32; adult ¥1000,
child ¥500-800; 10am-4pm Tue-Sun; 7min walk from JR Tanbaguchi Station; 10min walk from Umekōji-
kōen-mae bus stop, bus 205 from Kyoto Station) Shimabara, a district northwest of Kyoto Station, was
Kyoto's original pleasure quarters. At its peak during the Edo period (1600-1867) the area
flourished, with more than 20 enormous ageya - magnificent banquet halls where artists,
writers and statesmen gathered in a 'floating world' ambience of conversation, art and for-
nication. Geisha were often sent from their okiya (living quarters) to entertain patrons at
these restaurant-cum-brothels. By the start of the Meiji period, however, such activities
had drifted north to the Gion district and Shimabara had lost its prominence.

| NOTABLE BUILDING

Though the traditional air of the district has dissipated, a few old structures remain. The
tremendous Shimabara-no-Ōmon gate, which marked the passage into the quarter, still
stands, as does the Sumiya Pleasure House, the last remaining ageya, which is now desig-
nated a National Cultural Asset. Built in 1641, this stately two-storey, 20-room structure
allows a rare glimpse into Edo-era nirvana. With its delicate latticework exterior, Sumiya
has a huge open kitchen and an extensive series of rooms (including one extravagantly
decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay).

Special tours in Japanese (requiring advance reservations in Japanese, booked through
Sumiya Pleasure House) allow access to the 2nd storey and are conducted daily. An Eng-
lish pamphlet is provided.

| TEMPLE

MIBU-DERA