Exploring Kansai - Kyoto

One of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Japan, Kyoto is a culturally rich city filled with countless Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and myriad of traditional Japanese style homes, shops and parks. Many of these place below have become national and international world heritage sites, and are often seen frequently in media.

Much of Kyoto's history is a result of city being the first imperial capital of Japan stretching over a 1000 years before the capital city was eventually moved to Edo, what is now modern day Tokyo.

Kyoto is home to some of the most beautiful temples, rightly earning its place as one of the most noteworthy and must-see cities in Japan. Contrary to its size, like much of Japan, Kyoto is actually relatively easy to navigate around and is even accessible by bike from Hirakata!

Temples & Shrines

Kinkaku-ji - 金閣寺

Formerly known as Rokuon-ji, or by its English name, The Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji is one of the most visited and easily recognizable Zen Buddhist temples in all of Japan. It was originally founded in 1397, rebuilt 1955 following an arson attack in 1950, and has been officially designated a National Special Historic Site, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1994.

Kiyomizu-Dera -　清水寺

One of my favourite temples in all of Japan, this temple is definitely one you don't want to miss. With the changing seasons of Japan, there is always something new to discover here. A huge temple built onto a mountainside, interlaced with trees, ponds and a pagoda, it can become quite busy. However, I find the crowds significantly die down in the evening hours. If you only plan on visiting once, the I would highly suggest visiting Kiyomizu-dera during the Fall. This is definitely a Fall temple, that's when the colours really pop!

Fushimi Inari - 伏見稲荷

Probably one of the most iconic images of Japan, widely used in many movies including Memoirs of a Geisha. Fushimi Inari is the head shrine of Inari, the God of foxes, rice, tea, and sake. The actual shrine sits at the base of Inari mountain with trails spanning 4 km's to the top providing access to several other smaller shrines. The trail takes approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours walking depending on your pace. Each torii gate was donated either privately or by a business. Access to Fushimi Inari from Hirakata is very simple. It has its own station merely a few stops away from the Makino station and has signs guiding you the rest of the way once you arrive. Be sure to wear some comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot. One recommendation I have, plan your trip so you're there during sunset. Watch the sun as it sets over Kyoto, then as you make your way down the mountain in the dusk, stop by the little mountain cabin to enjoy a tea as the remaining light sifts through the trees and fades into darkness.

Places To Go

Gion

When arriving at Gion-Shijo station, your essentially in what I would call the heart of Kyoto. This area is where you will find many unique Japanese stores both, souvenirs/gift shops and small one-of-a-kind mom and pop stores. From this area you can access many different shrines and temples as well either by bus or short walking distance. If you hang out long enough here, you may catch a glimpse of a Geisha or Maiko Geisha (apprentice Geisha)! Few will actually allow pictures, but it never hurts to ask! 

Maruyama Park (Koen)

Situated at the end of Gion-dori, to access this park you will pass through Yasaka Jinja. This area becomes a major hot spot during New Years while locals and visitors celebrate with a traditional Japanese New Years celebration. Though it is particularly popular in April during Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing festivals. This is one experience you do not want to miss out on if you're studying during the second semester. Whether you go with your Japanese friends or other students, stop by a Konbini, grab a few beers and snacks and head over to the park to find a spot to sit. Though you will see many cherry blossoms (and plum blossoms) in Hirakata, Maruyama Park provides a spectacular view and even features a famous weeping Cherry Tree as the main attraction. Spring in Japan is really just as beautiful as it appears in pictures.

Check out the video below from a good friend of mine and former KGU student, shot primarily in Maruyama Koen and around Kansai Gaidai. 

Where To Stay

Gojo Guesthouse

If you happen to be travelling through Kyoto and are looking for a place to stay or, maybe have friends or family visiting looking for an economical option, then I highly recommend Gojo Guesthouse. It's located less than 15 minutes from Kyoto station and is near many temples and shrines. Bicycles are provided to guests as well! This is your standard hostel with a dormitory style room and also a private room as well for couples/families who want to opt for more privacy. Downstairs contains a full service bar serving drinks and food for guests and visitors. You can find out more about Gojo Guesthouse here.

For a full list of places to stay in Kyoto, I recommend checking out a full list of places here.

Watch for our next post highlighting Nara, the Capital city of the Nara prefecture and once, the national capital of Japan for brief moment in time. Also home to Arashiyama Koen, a park you're definitely going to want to visit!

The Beer Park.. Err... Katahoko Park

Whether you've already started your first week at Kansai Gaidai or you're about to, there's no doubt you will receive a lecture and warning about the infamous Beer Park. Located centrally between all the seminar houses and behind the Hirakata Library, every year the Beer Park attracts the seminar house students in the masses. I must admit, many, if not most of my friendships at Kansai Gaidai were started over a beer here.

Due to its prime location and convenient "amenities", the Beer Park no doubt quickly becomes a popular social hub. What could be better than a beer vending machine and a liquor store in walking distance, right? However, while it may be a great place to meet up with your friends from the other dorms for a casual drink, it's important to remember that you are not the only ones living in the area.

The Beer Park is surrounded on nearly all sides by residents of Hirakata, and if you've ever spent a winter in Japan, you'll know just how paper thin their walls are. I have to admit, I've personally spent many evenings hanging out in the Beer Park, whether it be just myself and a couple of friends, or often a group of 10 or more. Either way, one thing I noticed irregardless of how many people there are, North Americans are loud when we start drinking. We may not notice it as we're having a good time, conversating with friends, but between the alcohol and being outside, the level of our voices tend to quadruple. This creates two problems you will frequently encountered:

1. A visit from the Keisatsu (Japanese Police). While they're normally polite and understanding, they will kick out of the park if you're too loud, or even if you're congregating in too large of groups. Remember, you're a guest in Japan and here on a temporary student visa. You don't want to jeopardize this.
2. And then there's the frequent mandatory lectures from the Dean on Campus. You will be chastised for consistent loud behavior reports from the locals. These meetings are made mandatory for all students, as such, you will be scolded by the non-beer park goers. Nobody wants to spend their evenings on campus getting lectured.

Now that I've given you your fair warning, go out and have fun! It's a perfect place for a quick rendezvous and pregame before heading out to your favourite local bar or for karaoke. Some students choose to use it to unwind after a long day, grabbing a beer or two after studying. Most nights, you can usually find one or two people chilling here, if you feel like just getting out for a bit.

Tips:

• The liquor store tends to close around 9:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. unless their hours have changed. So grab your specialty booze early if you prefer something other than beer, chuu-hai, or sake.
• The liquor vending machine shuts down about 12:15 a.m. so make sure you buy your nights worth before then.
• You need a TASPO card to purchase cigarettes from vending machines in Japan. If you need smokes, buy them from the liquor store before it closes, or may have to walk to the nearest Konbini.
• My advice is, keep your gatherings small (or at least spread out) and relatively quiet and you won't have any trouble. For some of you, this will become a regular nightly hangout, it's a great place, let's keep it that way!

This is the liquor store and infamous beer vending machine. Located directly in front of the Beer Park and just around the corner from Seminar House 1. There are plenty of trash/recycle bins around so there's no excuse for not cleaning up after yourselves.


There's a few other hidden spots close to the Beer Park I can recommend, message me if you'd like to know. Contact Here

Wild Japanese Snow Monkeys

 Japan is home to one of few places where you can actually see and interact with wild monkeys! Though, while this may already sound exciting, how many of you have ever seen a monkey taking a bath in a hot spring (Onsen)? The place is called Jigokudani, a world famous national park visited by thousands of tourists every year in the heart of the Nagano prefecture.

The Japanese Macaques, or more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, live in the surrounding forests of Jigokudani Park. They descend during the day to lounge in the hot springs, literally appearing just as if humans were to be taking a bath. I can say personally, it's one of the weirdest though exhilarating feeling to witness this. Depending on the day, there can be as many as 100 or more seen gathered around the pools. Due to the growing popularity, the Snow Monkeys have become very use to their human visitors. This close relationship allows for plenty of interaction and awesome up-close photo shoots.

Getting to Jigokudani can be a bit of a challenge but is well worth the effort. There are several options to get there from Osaka area, so depending on how much you're willing to spend will determine your travelling time.


Here's my recommended route from Osaka:

• Book a day bus from Osaka (or Kyoto if available) to JR Nagano station. I suggest using Willer Express but ask an RA for help with this.
  Approximate Cost: ¥2500-¥3000 ($25-$30)
  Approximate Travel Time: 3 Hours
  Take the earliest bus possible if you're planning on returning the same day.

• From JR Nagano Station, catch the Limited Express Line to Yudanaka Station.
  Approximate Cost: ¥1160 ($12)
  Approximate Time: 47 Minutes

• From there, catch the NagaDen, (Nagano Dentetsu bus) to Kanbayashi. This is kind of like your base camp. This bus is bound for Shiga Kogen, exit at the Kanbayashi stop.
  Approximate Cost: ¥1300
  Approximate Time: 30 Minutes

Once you've reached Kanbayashi, there is only about a half hour scenic walk through the forest to reach the hot springs in Jigokudani Park. Entrance fee to the park is costs only ¥500. Arriving early gives you plenty of time to spend in the park and catch the return buses if you don't plan on spending the night in the area.

Useful Links:

• http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/english/html/top_e.htm
• http://willerexpress.com/en/
• http://www.hyperdia.com