Overview
Both
Tokyo and Kyoto are cities that blend 20th-century modernity and
centuries-old traditions. Ancient temples co-exist with concrete, steel
and glass towers of modern architecture, while the quiet jingle of temple
bells rise above the din of city life. Only in Japan is it common to
have sushi for breakfast and where else does one see kimono-clad women
checking their email. Despite its' 21st-century technology, ancient festivals
are celebrated honoring rituals of Buddhist and secular traditions.
Tokyo, the cradle of cosmopolitan Japanese culture, and Kyoto, home
to seventeen UNESCO World Heritage Sites both offer a mesmerizing
array of temples, palaces, castles, museums, gardens, stores and much
more.
Open
Coast will customize your visit to coincide with local events and
festival celebrations. We can assist you with flights, transfers and
accommodations. Our most popular package is our 4-day, 3 night tour.
TOKYO HIGHLIGHTS
The
early bird catches the fish at Asia's busiest fish auction, Tsukiji
Market. Here you can indulge in the freshest
sushi breakfast and witness a truly Japanese tradition.
Harajuku, a trendy hangout is the place for
people watching as Tokyo's thriving pop culture pulses. Shinjuku,
close by to Harajuku, sees two million people pass through the station
each weekday. The west side of this district is home to skyscrapers
and government buildings. The east side, better known as Kabuki-cho is
Tokyo's neon light capital and houses a maze of clubs, restaurants
and bars.
For upscale shopping Ginza is infamous for its' seven-storied department buildings.
The mazes of backstreets are lined with European boutiques and restaurants
offering an eclectic variety of shopping and cuisine.
Akihabara, a.k.a.
Electric City is the place
to play with the latest in all the new electronic gadgets, stores
often provide English manuals for many of their discounted products.
Kabukiza
Theater has remained the
most popular form of entertainment since the Edo period. Gorgeous costumes,
a boisterous audience and magical stage settings make this classic
Japanese art form like no other.
The Imperial Palace,
the residence of Emperor Akihito, 125th Emperor of Japan,
is the same site where Edo Castle stood during the days of the Tokugawa
shogunate.
Strolling
through Asakusa district
brings you downtown providing a glimpse into the Edo period (1603 – 1867)
considered by many to be the golden age of Japanese culture. Visit Kannon
Temple (Senso-ji),
the headquarters of the Sho-Kannon sect of Buddhism where many worshippers
gather to pray. The street leading up to the temple, Nakamise Dori,
is lined with boutiques selling traditional Japanese items such as
pottery, kimono and swords.
Visit
the Tokyo National Museum located
in Ueno district,
the largest museum featuring all things Japanese: Samurai armor, kimono,
lacquer-ware, pottery and more.
Sumo,
Japan's national sport dates back to 200 AD as a Shinto rite to produce
an abundant harvest. There's nothing quite like watching these three
hundred pound men throw one another around at Kokugikan Sumo Stadium.
Tournaments take place in January, May and September.
As
the inventors of the Jacuzzi, the Japanese have made bathing a fine
art, if not a ritual. Indulge yourself in a natural spa, onsen just
outside of Tokyo or visit one of the local bathhouses, sento in
town that are easily recognizable by the tall chimney and shoe lockers
just inside the entrance.
Love Hotel Hill located in Shibuya consists of a string of love hotels.
The high cost of renting apartments in Tokyo means that many twenties
and thirties couples still live with their parents and so these hotels
provide a private refuge. Wonder in and look around, you'll see pictures
of the rooms as you enter, to pick one simply push on the room of your
choice and for a fee, it's yours by the hour.
KYOTO HIGHLIGHTS
Nestled
in Kyoto's eastern hills Kiyomizu
Temple, originally
built in 798 provides magnificent sweeping views from Mt. Otawa.
It is one of Kyoto's oldest Buddhist temples and close by lies
the three-storey pagoda and beautiful Otawa Falls.
Ginkakuji
Temple,
or Silver Temple was
built for Shogun Shikaga Yoshihama as a retirement home. His
intention was to paint the temple silver however he died before
he could achieve this. To this day it remains a two-storey wooden
structure. Built in 1482, it features many traditional design
elements that influenced modern residential Japanese architecture.
Nijo
Castle located
in central Kyoto was built in 1603 by the first Tokugawa shogun,
Ieyasu, using Japanese cypress. Paranoid about invaders, Ieyasu
installed creaky floorboards in the castles corridors to anticipate
any invaders. These ‘nightingale floors' were buttressed with hidden
alcoves for bodyguards.
Gion is a small area in Kyoto where geisha
and their maiko (apprentices)
can be seen on their way to work in the evening. Gei meaning
culture and sha person translates into a person practiced
in the arts. Beautifully dressed in kimono with elaborate traditional
make-up, geisha have made Gion the entertainment capital of Kyoto.
To celebrate the new seasons, each spring and autumn geisha and their
apprentices perform captivating dances at various local theaters.
Nara,
another city located close by to Kyoto was originally known as Heijo.
Nara was Japan's first permanent capital (710-784) and today it is
home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. Remarkably, temples from
that period still stand and though it is possible to see all these
sites in one day, two days will allow for a more leisurely experience.
Nara
Park was
established in 1880 and containsmany of the city's main attractions
such as Kofukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple and Nara National Museum.
Hundreds of friendly deer roam freely in the park and are not
shy to approach, especially if you happen to have some of their favorite
food in hand. The deer are believed to be messengers of the gods
of Shinto and are a symbol of Nara city.
Horyuji
Temple is
one of Japan's oldest and finest temples and houses the world's
oldest wooden buildings. Founded in 607 the complex was used as
a Buddhist learning center by Prince Shotoku. The West Temple contains
the five-storey pagoda and the Kondo main hall. The East Temple
features the Yumedono pavilion or the Hall of Visions. There is
a fascinating collection of Buddhist art in the newly constructed
hall, Daihozoin.
Kofukuji
Temple,
Happiness Producing Temple, is located on the outskirts of Nara
Park and is famous for its five-storey pagoda, which represents
the symbol of Nara. Established in 710 for the Fujiwara family,
the temple consisted of over 150 buildings. Nanendo Hall boasts
a statue of Kannon, a sacred pilgrimage site that was carved in
1188.
Todaiji
Temple,
meaning Great Eastern Temple, was built as the headquarters for
the temples in all of Japan. After five long years in 752 its construction
was completed. But the toll on the economy was so great that
it led to a peasants' revolt and most of the original buildings
were destroyed. Despite this it continues to be the most important
landmark in Nara and it houses the Great Buddha, Daibutsu. It is
the world's largest wooden building despite the reconstruction
being only two thirds the original size.
Ganjin, a Chinese priest who was invited by the emperor
of Japan to spread Buddhism, founded Toshodaiji Temple in 759.
Each year on June 6, the anniversary of Ganjin's death, a wooden statue
of Ganjin is displayed to the public. His tomb is also located
on temple grounds.
This sample itinerary is also available to download.
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