Northern Higashiyama - Kyoto - page 226

FUREAI-KAN KYOTO MUSEUM

OF TRADITIONAL CRAFTS | MUSEUM

OFFLINE MAP
( 京都伝統産業ふれあい館 ; 762-2670; 9-1 Seishōji-chō, Okazaki, Sakyō-ku; 9am-5pm; Kyoto
Kaikan/Bijyutsukan-mae bus stop, bus 5 from Kyoto Station; 10min walk from Higashiyama Station, Tōzai subway
line) This multipurpose hall has excellent displays of Kyoto crafts on its basement floor.
Exhibits include wood-block prints, lacquerware, bamboo goods and gold-leaf work. It's
located in the basement of Miyako Messe (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall).

KYOTO CITY ZOO
OFFLINE MAP
( 京都市動物園 ; Kyoto-shi Dōbutsu-en; 771-0210; Okazaki, Hōshōji-chō; adult/child ¥600/free;
9am-5pm Tue-Sun Mar-Nov, to 4.30pm Dec-Feb; Kyoto Kaikan/Bijyutsukan-mae bus stop, bus 5 from Kyoto Sta-
tion; 10min walk from Higashiyama Station, Tōzai subway line) . While we aren't thrilled about the
conditions in which the animals are kept here - the cages and enclosures are pretty small -
this is a sure-fire hit with kids. All the usual big mammals are present here. Don't miss the
Japanese giant salamander (sanshō uō) .

| ZOO

HEIAN-JINGŪ
OFFLINE MAP
( 平安神宮 ; 761-0221; Nishitennō-chō, Okazaki, Sakyō-ku; shrine precincts/garden free/¥600; 6am-5pm
Nov-Feb, 6am-6pm Mar-Oct; Kyoto Kaikan/Bijyutsukan-mae bus stop, bus 5 from Kyoto Station; 10min walk
from Higashiyama Station, Tōzai subway line) One of Kyoto's more popular sights, this shrine was
built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto. The
shrine buildings are colourful replicas, reduced to a two-thirds scale, of the Imperial Court
Palace of the Heian period (794-1185).

| SHRINE

About 500m in front of the shrine is a massive steel torii (shrine gate). Although it ap-
pears to be entirely separate, this is actually considered the main entrance to the shrine it-
self.

The vast garden here, behind the shrine, is a fine place for a wander and particularly
lovely during the cherry-blossom season. With its large pond and Chinese-inspired bridge,
the garden is a tribute to the style that was popular in the Heian period. It is well known
for its wisteria, irises and weeping cherry trees.

One of Kyoto's biggest festivals, the Jidai Matsuri ( CLICK HERE ) is held here on 22
October. On 2 and 3 June, Takigi nō is also held here. Takigi nō is a picturesque form of
nō performed in the light of blazing fires. Tickets cost ¥3000 if you pay in advance (ask at