Joanna James
Nestled in the serenity of Honshu Island, the former Japanese capital is a journey to the East Asian nation of centuries past, where the old-world charm still remains untouched and unmarred. Numerous attractions and sites of breathtaking grandeur characterise the city, making for blissful admiration.
In the charming cultural city, where there’s no shortage of ornate Zen temples of classic Japanese complexion, Kinkaku-ji is the undisputed epitome of them all. Kinkaku-ji, for its awe-inspiring exterior bathed in glimmering gold leaf, is one of the most visited landmarks, not just in the city of Kyoto, but in all of Japan and rightly so. The stunning gold set amidst the serenity of emerald waters and against the backdrop of montane green forests — mind-blowing doesn’t even begin to describe the views that greet you here at this sacred site.
As the sun goes down and the darkness descends upon the beautiful city of Kyoto, nothing makes for an ambient evening like the Gion District. Home to Japan’s characteristic Geisha culture, where geisha and maiko hostesses in colourful kimonos put on numerous Kyomai dances and other traditional performances, making for delightful and authentic nightlife for all travellers to the city. Opportunities for drool-worthy Instagrammable snaps are plenty in the old-world quarter, with traditional wooden machiya houses and preserved tea houses lining narrow cobblestone streets.
In the vicinity of the touristically popular Togetsukyo Bridge, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, better known as the Kyoto Bamboo Forest, is an undoubtedly unmissable destination on your quest for Instagrammable spots in the city of Kyoto. Soul-relaxing splendour isn’t everything that awaits you, but the seclusion of the nature destination also means that you are afforded abounding tranquillity and serenity, making for much-needed peace and quiet. After a day of savouring magnificent sights, retreat to one of the finest family hotels in Kyoto; your options include Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi.
Perched atop a mountain so dramatically, overlooking the city of Kyoto in all its glory, is the striking Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Dating back over a mind-boggling 1,200 years, the centuries-old temple possesses crucial historical significance, where it forms a major part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Site. While its history is one that’s of uncontested remarkableness, what draws the crowds is the temple’s hilltop location, affording mind-blowing views overlooking the Kyoto city skyline.
Far and distant from central Kyoto, tranquillity abounds in the offbeat Arashiyama district, where the picturesque Togetsukyo Bridge calls home. Charming spring blossoms, vibrant fall colours and dramatic forest-clad mountains define the atmosphere surrounding the 155-metre wooden bridge, with the serene Katsura River slithering its way, serenading everyone visiting the bridge. The 836 AD attraction is a gorgeous sight to be captured at any time of the day, but it is at its most breathtaking at sunrise and sunset.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
