| When
I first came to Kyoto for study, I was so impressed with the
beauty of a former imperial region, Kyoto. I collected the
information about the city and realized that Kyoto is crowded
with the population close to 1.5 million. It is surrounded
on three sides by mountains known as Higashiyama, Kitayama
and Nishiyama. In Kyoto, everyday, you can enjoy a fresh natural
source of water and stylist kinds of tea products.
I was myself relaxed when walking in the rain while listening
to music from a small Ipod. My friends and I usually gathered
in a small coffee shop near the Sanjo bridge and discussed
the history of Kyoto.
Generations of Kyoto people have seen many ups and downs and
prevented the city from the destruction because of wars and
natural disasters. The city was first called Kyoto in the
11th century. An obsolete spelling for the city`s name is
Kioto, formerly known to the West as Miako. In the pre-modern
period, the city`s name, Keishi is to refer to the meaning
“metropolis” or “capital”. The city was largely destroyed
in the Onin War of 1467-177 and did not recover until the
mid-16th century. Battles took place and samurai factions
were deeply involved in disputes and fights. The city also
suffered a considerable widespread destruction caused by the
atomic bomb of the United States targeting Kyoto at the end
of World War II. The U.S thought that living in an intellectual
center of Japan, Kyoto people were able to appreciate the
significance of the weapon. Besides the destruction caused
by wars, Kyoto was also destroyed by earthquakes. However,
Kyoto is still one of the best preserved cities in Japan with
2000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, as well as palaces,
gardens and architecture.
As foreigners, we admire the old design of traditional townhouses
in Kyoto. It makes Kyoto become one of the few Japanese cities
that still has an abundance of prewar buildings. However,
Kyoto is also well-known with modern architectures such as
the Kyoto Station complex. Some people say that the appearance
of these architectures is breaking down the traditional Kyoto.
But I think that the combination of modern and traditional
design has become a popular style for cities in the world.
From September 1, 1956, the design of the city can only be
decided by the city of kyoto at self. In 1997, The Kyoto prtocol,
a famous protocol on greenhouse gas emissions that bears the
city`s name was signed and became one of the most important
international documents of the city. Kyoto is also famous
for a wide range of old temples and shrines. Kiyomizu-dera
temple is very beautiful with a magnificent wooden temple
supported by pillars off the slope. If you want to see a really
luxurious Kyoto, you can come to Kinkaku-ji temple and enjoy
the color of Golden Pavilion shining in the sun. The silver
pavilion of Ginkaku-ji also attracts many visitors. Especially,
Ryoan-ji is famous for its rock garden.
The Heian Jingu, a Shinto shrine built in 1895, is very famous
for its red gate. It was built in memorial of the Imperial
family, the first and last emperors to reside in Kyoto. Until
now, Kyoto also remains three special sites with connections
to the imperial family as the Kyoto Gyoen area, Katsura Imperial
Villa and Shugaku-in Imperial Villa.
Noteworthy natural spots of Kyoto also include Arashiyma and
its picturesque lake, the Gion and Pontocho geisha, the Philosopher`s
Walk and the canals which line some of the older streets.
In the list of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” as
a World Heritage Site, we can see names of the Kamo Shrines
(Kami and Shimo), Kyo-o Gokokuji, Kyomizu-dera, Daigo-ji,
Ninna-ji, Saiho-ji, Tenryu-ji, Rokuon-ji, Jisho-ji, Ryoan-ji,
Hongan-ji, Kozan-ji and the Nijio Castle. Unforgettable memory
is the time to enjoy Japanese foods and cuisine. As vegetarians,
you can feel happy because of the development of vegetables
peculiar to the Kyoto area, which is “Kyo-yasai”(Kyoto Vegetables).
Besides creating special and stylist cuisine, Kyoto people
also try to focus on developing Japan`s television and film
industry. Toei Uzumasa Eigamura is the place where many jidaigeki,
action films featuring samurai were shot at. Sometimes, actual
film shooting takes place. As visitors, you can come to observe
the action.
In Japan, you will get used to the reading culture of Kyoto
people. In general, Kyoto people like reading manga. You can
see many people reading manga while drinking coffee or tea.
If you are interested in manga, you can come to see Kyoto
International Manga Museum. It is also situated in Kyoto.
You can read as much manga as you desire if you pay a small
entrance fee. The museum also offers manga exhibitions.
Many Kyoto people are very proud of the city cultural tradition
and the education quality. Kyoto remains the premier center
of kimono manufacturing and one of the academic centers of
the country. Kyoto University is considered to be one of the
best universities in the country. People try all their best
to introduce the city`s value to the international community
through tourism. Tourism plays an important role in Kyoto`s
economy. |
