Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
on (admission extra). Note that the museum is presently undergoing a partial reconstruc-
tion; you can still enter the museum but construction will be going on until late 2013.
KAWAI KANJIRŌ MEMORIAL HALL
| MUSEUM
OFFLINE MAP
(
河井寛次郎記念館
; 561-3585; 569 Kanei-chō, Gojō-zaka, Higashiyama-ku; admission ¥900;
10am-5pm; 15min walk from Kiyomizu-gojō Station, Keihan line)
This small memorial hall is one of
Kyoto's most commonly overlooked little gems; it's worth a look, though, especially if
you have an interest in Japanese crafts such as pottery and furniture. The hall was the
home and workshop of one of Japan's most famous potters, Kawai Kanjirō (1890-1966).
The 1937 house is built in rural style and contains examples of Kanjirō's work, his collec-
tion of folk art and ceramics, his workshop and a fascinating
nobori-gama
(a stepped
kiln). The museum is near the intersection of Gojō-dōri and Higashiōji-dōri.
ROKUHARAMITSU-JI
OFFLINE MAP
(
六波羅蜜寺
; 561-6980; Higashiyama-ku, Gojō-dōri-Yamatoōji agaru Higashi; treasure house adult/child
¥600/400; 8.30am-4.30pm; 5min walk from Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, bus 206 from Kyoto Station)
An im-
portant Buddhist pilgrimage stop, this temple was founded in 963 by Kūya Shōnin, who
carved an image of an 11-headed Kannon and installed it in the temple in the hope of
stopping a plague that was ravaging Kyoto at the time.
| TEMPLE
The temple itself is unremarkable but the treasure house at the rear contains a rare col-
lection of 15 fantastic statues; the most intriguing is a standing likeness of Kūya, staff in
hand and prayer gong draped around his neck, with a string of tiny figurines parading
from his gums. Legend holds that while praying one day, these manifestations of the
Buddha suddenly ambled out of his mouth.
KENNIN-JI
OFFLINE MAP
(
建仁寺
; 561-6363; Higashiyama-ku, Shijō-sagaru; admission ¥500; 10am-4.30pm; 10min walk from
Gion Shijō Station, Keihan line)
Founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, Kennin-ji is the oldest Zen
temple in Kyoto. It is an island of peace and calm on the border of the boisterous Gion
nightlife district and it makes a fine counterpoint to the worldly pleasures of that area. The
highlight at Kennin-ji is the fine and expansive
karesansui
(dry-landscape rock garden).
The painting of the twin dragons on the roof of the Hōdō hall is also fantastic; access to
this hall is via two gates with rather puzzling English operating instructions (you'll see
what we mean).
| TEMPLE
KIYOMIZU-DERA
OFFLINE MAP
| TEMPLE
