Hidden Kyoto spots without tourists

 Kyoto is now very crowded. When you visit the famous spots, what impresses you most might be not the scenery, but the people and people and more people.

Even though you want to appreciate the true beauty of these places, it has become little difficult

Let's me introduce some.

1 Tojiin temple

 IT has a history of about 600 years and was founded by a shogun. Yet, you won't see many people here, though it is near Kinkakuji temple and Ryoanji temple, which are listed in the world heritage sites.

There are two different types of gardens 

One was designed relatively recently bu a modern garden designer
From inside of the building, please appreciate the nice garden, and later, please enjoy it walking there.

The other garden was created about 600 years ago by the same garden designer of Kinkakuji temple( it is said )

If you observe carefully, you will notice the distinct characteristics of each style.

2 Shoden in temple

 It is located a little away from the busy city center.

What made this garden famous was a commercial film featuring David Bowie.
When he visited, he sat down, looked at the garden, and shed tears.
In the background, you can see Mt. Hiei, which is often called " mother of Buddhism" in Japan

3 Myomanji temple

   

When I visited there for the first time, there was no one else there.
The second time, there were just two other visitors.

This temple features a beautiful garden called YUKI no Niwa, which means "snow garden"

Please take your time to enjoy each part of it and much more.

I know other nice places in Kyoto.

I want to introduce the very nice Kyoto to you.

Youtube movie 

Old Imperial Palace

  As you know, Kyoto was a capital of Japan from 794 to 1869.

At the beginning, the Imperial Palace was in a different place from today's. 

What is known as Old Imperial Palace started in 1331, when Emperor Kogen became the Emperor there.

Let's visit the palace

First after getting out of the subway station, Imadegawa, let's walk to Inui mon gate.

From here, you will see the very nice park. This area used to be a town of court nobles.
Surrounding area of Imperial palace was the town of court nobles.

The entrance of the visitors who are ranked high.
Okuruma yose or Mikuruma yose, the court nobles up to the 6th grade were allowed to enter from here.
Especially top ranked ones are allowed to enter in the carriage.
The others had to walk in.

These rooms are waiting rooms.
The closest room to the Emperors place are the one for the highest, the further was lower. 
Depending on the room, the paintings are different. 

This is a new entrance when Emperor Taisho visited here to hold the enthronement ceremony. This entrance was made for it so that the horse-pulled carriage can enter from the side. We see the glass windows, which were not common in those days.

The building we can see through the red gate is Shishinden, where the important ceremony is held .

It is the largest here.
In front of the building, there are two trees, cherry tree and orange tree.
There are large space in front

Only the highest ranked families could sit in the building including verranda.

The others had to sit or stand on the ground.

Seiryo-den
This used to be a living space of Emperor till late 16th century.

Inside of the curtain is the rest area of the Emperor

In the morning Emperor prayed for the nation and the people to 4 directions which have shrines related to the Imperial family.

The side of the building, there is a meeting room with court nobles.

There are two nice gardens in the area of the palace we can see.
The first one is here.

The emperor didn't go out of the palace basically. This garden reminded him of the beach.
There is a pier for the boat.
He might have sail in the pond to enjoy the scenery from there.

The second garden has a river. 
The scenery is a little different.
the building in front of the garden was a living space of Emperor's till the day he moved to Tokyo.
In those days, from the room, it is said that The Daimonji fire could be seen.

One funny point is the small building in the garden.

This is an evacuation room.

Late 16th century, Kyoto had a big earthquake. For just in case.

The building was made much stronger than the other building.

After this, we can not see more.

There is a tea ceremony room and the river water comes to the building side.

And further, there is Empress space.
Emperor and Empress didn't live in the same building.

After here, visitor's course leads us to the area of former kitchen area

Unfortunately, during the WWⅡ,  all the hallways and kitchen space were removed so that the fire spread easily for just in case.

A part of hallway was restored but not all.

This is the real place Emperors lived. when you have such mind, you can enjoy there more.

Just one advice, the course doesn't have any rest rooms and much shade.

In summer, please bring the sun umbrella and on the rainy day, please prepare an umbrella or rain gear.