Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
memory of her late husband, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The extensive grounds include gardens
designed by the famed landscape architect Kobori Enshū, and tea houses designed by the
renowned master of the tea ceremony, Sen no Rikyū.
The temple holds three annual special night-time illuminations, when the gardens are lit
by multicoloured spotlights. The illuminations are held from mid-March to early May, 1
to 18 August, and late October to early December.
MARUYAMA-KŌEN
OFFLINE MAP
(
円山公園
; Higashiyama-ku; 1min walk from Gion bus stop, bus 206 from Kyoto Station; 20min walk
from Higashiyama Station, Tōzai subway line)
Maruyama-kōen is a favourite of locals and visitors
alike. This park is the place to come to escape the bustle of the city centre and amble
around gardens, ponds, souvenir shops and restaurants. Peaceful paths meander through
the trees and carp glide through the waters of a small pond in the park's centre.
| PARK
For two weeks in early April, when the park's cherry trees come into bloom, the calm
atmosphere is shattered by hordes of drunken revellers having
hanami
(cherry-blossom
viewing) parties under the trees. The centrepiece is a massive
shidare-zakura
cherry tree;
this is one of the most beautiful sights in Kyoto, particularly when lit up from below at
night. For those who don't mind crowds, this is a good place to observe the Japanese at
their most uninhibited. Arrive early and claim a good spot high on the east side of the
park, from where you can peer down on the mayhem below.
| SHRINE
YASAKA-JINJA
OFFLINE MAP
(
八坂神社
; 625 Gion-machi Kita gawa, Higashiyama-ku; 24hr; 1min walk from Gion bus stop, bus
206 from Kyoto Station; 15min walk from Higashiyama Station, Tōzai subway line)
This colourful and spa-
cious shrine is down the hill from Maruyama-kōen. It's considered the guardian shrine of
Gion. The present buildings, with the exception of the older, two-storey west gate, date
from 1654. The granite
torii
(shrine gate) on the south side was erected in 1666 and stands
9.5m high, making it one of the tallest in Japan. The roof of the main shrine is covered
with cypress shingles. Among the treasures here are a pair of carved wooden
koma-inu
(guardian lion-dogs) attributed to the renowned sculptor Unkei.
This shrine is particularly popular as a spot for
hatsu-mōde
(first shrine visit of the New
Year). If you don't mind a stampede, come here around midnight on New Year's Eve or
on any of the days following. Surviving the crush is proof that you're blessed by the gods!
