Kyoto

The city of 1000 temples

Information about Kyoto

Kyoto is the beating heart of Japanese tradition. Formerly the capital of Japan during the Edo period, it is known as the city of 2,000 temples.

It has preserved many houses with classical architecture in addition to its numerous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, which will allow you to discover and understand the relationship to religion and spirituality of the Japanese. Inextricably linked to nature, particularly for Shintoists, you will find that many shrines, from the smallest to the largest, are often located in forests.

Kyoto is also a place where you may see an elegant and discreet geisha or *maiko *(geisha apprentice) in a narrow street in the Gion district. The Japanese are masters at making an art out of the smallest everyday habit. Thus, serving tea is a daily action that may require years of learning how to prepare and serve it if one wants to honor one's guests. And this is just one example of the many rituals of the Japanese!

Interesting facts about Kyoto

To get a better feel for Japanese spirituality, we recommend a few must-see detours around Kyoto: a walk through the Arashiyama bamboo grove, the Iwatayama monkey park, the Fushimi Inari shrine, the breathtaking Kyoto pavilions, and so much more.

Kyoto's cuisine is known for its refinement and subtle flavors, unlike Tokyo, which is known for its more pronounced tastes. Kaiseki-ryori is Japan's answer to haute cuisine. More than food, kaiseki is an art form that balances taste, color, and texture. Composed of several small dishes served together, the garnishes and plating are taken into account to enhance the visual aspect of the food as much as possible.

As aesthetically pleasing as it is delicious, the most famous pastry in Kyoto is called Kyō-gashi. These gourmet sweets traditionally accompany tea ceremonies in Japan and have become an art form in their own right.