Which places in Japan would you recommend that tourists visit? And why?

2006-09-30 on 7:14 pm  |    毎日スクラップ, English  |  

30.9.2006 (THE DAILY YOMIURI)

Kyoto

As a Japannese, I naturally recommend visiting Kyoto. In December 1994, 17temples, shrines and a castle-Including Kiyomizudera temple. Enryakuji temple and Nijojo castle-in Kyoto and its surrounding areas were chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 17 locations contain 38 national treasures and eight special scenic places designated by the government, and they have been preserved quite well. If you don’t have enough time, I recommend Kiyomizudera or Rokuonji temple (Kinkakuji temple). You will surely feel the ancient capital’s legacy.

Kyoto

It was the ancient capital of Japan for more than 1000 years. Even after Tokyo become the country’s capital, it has been the traditional center of art and culture and boasts many places of scenic beauty and historical interest. Among them, my choice is Katura Imperial Villa in western Kyoto.   It is  an outstanding example of traditional Japanese architecture and landscape gardening. It consists of the main building and garden dotted with teahouses and a large pond. The seamless integration of interior and exterior space is superbly harmonized. It was built by the imperial princes in the Edo period (1603-1867). They stressed natural materials, purity of design and stripped away decoration. By pursuing these values, they created a villa with noble taste, simplicity, innovative and excellent sensibility and modernity.      The tour requires you to get permission from the Imperial Household Agency in advance. But it’s worth doing. Seeing is believing. Come and see. I’m sore you’ll be given a glimpse of the essence of Japanese culture.