Kyoto is one of the most stunning cities in the world, so spending just one day as a tourist can be difficult. Overall, I enjoyed a Buddhist temple, a shrine, and the largest market on a day trip to Kyoto. It turned out to be a spectacular day out and one I would recommend to others only for one day.
Kyoto is part of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area in Japan, which also includes Osaka and Kobe. Overall, it is one of Japan’s largest spiritual centers, with 400 shrines and 1,600 Buddhist temples, 16 of which are listed as World Heritage sites. Kyoto also has many great markets where you can experience Kyoto’s culture vividly. With only one day to spare, I chose a shrine, a Buddhist temple, and a market, all while riding their iconic trains and enjoying a healthy dose of Kyoto culture and lifestyle. This is the itinerary I recommend to anyone spending a day in this historic city.
Japanese shrine and buddhist temple background
Wherever you travel in this unique country, exploring Japanese spiritual practices and life is one of the best ways to experience its culture. Japan’s two main faiths are Shinto and Buddhism, with more than half of the population following these two spiritual beliefs. Shintoism is a native religion of Japan that believes in animism and uses “gods” or gods in natural forms such as rain, wind, mountains, and trees as the sacred soul. Shrines are dedicated to various gods (especially nature gods) and ancestors and serve as places of worship where rituals are performed.
In addition, many Japanese believe in both Buddhism and Shintoism. Buddhism was introduced to Japan 6 years agoth century from India via China and Korea. Most Buddhist traditions focus on transcending the personal self by following the path to enlightenment, ending the cycle of death and rebirth, and ultimately achieving nirvana. Buddhist temples are centers of worship and learning for the community. Various activities at the temple include chanting, lighting candles, burning incense and meditation.
My Kyoto Day Trip – Fushimi Inari Shrine, Buddhist Temples and Nishiki Market
As a maritime acupuncturist, my ship spent the night in Kobe. I rested for a whole day and decided to go to Kyoto. Two crew members and I took the Shinkansen from Kobe and arrived in Kyoto in less than an hour. I had the pleasure of riding a bullet train for the first time, gliding along at 320 km/h (199 mph). Clean, convenient and smooth, you can barely feel the train moving. (It confuses me that the US doesn’t have high-speed rail like Japan and China do.) We arrived during cherry blossom season, but it was an unusually cold day.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
My favorite website in Kyoto is Fushimi–Inari Shrine Many people agree as it is one of the most popular attractions in the city. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is open to the public for free from sunrise to sunset every day. Accessible via JR Inari Station (two stations south of Kyoto Station) on the JR Nara Subway Line. The 1,300-year-old Fushimi Inari-ji Temple is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and its 2.5-mile trail through the forest to the sacred Mount Inari at an altitude of 233 m.
The Torii Gate is symbolic and represents the transition from the secular to the spiritual. Inari is the rice god of Shintoism, and the fox is Inari’s messenger. Therefore, fox statues stand throughout the shrine. The hike to the top of the mountain takes about 3 hours and can be a bit strenuous. However, there are many places to stop along the way, such as teahouses, viewing platforms, etc.
Nishiki Market or “The Kitchen of Kyoto”
huge Nishiki Market Located in the heart of Kyoto, the Gion area is often called “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” It is known for having some of the best traditional Japanese food in the city and a maze of countless food stalls. The entire market is covered, so if it’s cold or rainy outside, this might be a great thing to do.
We walked and tasted here for a few hours at lunchtime, sampling the eclectic selection of dumplings, yakitori, and matcha desserts. Additionally, I tasted and discovered nazuka, a type of kimchi made from fruits and vegetables. In addition, there are many seafood samples such as baby octopus, squid and fish cakes. In addition to food, this market also sells ceramics, textiles and handicrafts.
Buddhist temples in Kyoto
Kyoto is home to more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, some of which date back hundreds of years. I went to a place that is not very well known, but it was still a great refuge to connect with culture and Buddhism. The most famous temple area is Higashiyama, where you can find the oldest temples, such as Kiyomizudera Temple.
Located near Otowa Falls, this “Josui-dera Temple” is one of the most revered temples in Kyoto. Tofukuji Temple is one of the largest temples in Kyoto and plays an important role in Zen Buddhism. Third, Saiho-ji Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple listed as one of 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto. It is famous for its moss garden, with more than 1,200 species of moss giving it a surreal appearance.
Overall, a day trip to Kyoto
Summarizing Kyoto in one day is a challenge. The most important thing, though, is to plan ahead so you don’t waste time dithering. Therefore, I recommend visiting a shrine, a Buddhist temple, a market, and using the train for transportation. But plan ahead and decide for yourself which one of them you want and you’ll have a great day. Whatever you do, don’t say “goodbye” because in Japan they actually rarely say “goodbye” because it means “goodbye forever.”
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