Heian-kyō: Capital Of Peace and Tranquility
Heian - Kyo : The City of Peace and Tranquility
Kyoto : It is the third largest city in Japan, and also one of the oldest. It was first founded as Heian in 794, and prospered during the court's heyday, that is, from 794 to 1185AD. Kyoto is considered as the heart of Japan, being home to several historical and cultural sites.
Geography
Heian was chosen for its easy access to rivers and roads. It was a strategic decision as it was surrounded by mountains for defense, consisted to plenty of rivers for convenience and defense and a magnificent topography. It became the main center for Buddhism, where temples were constructed to guard the northeast direction of the capital.
Within this outer enclosure a grid system of
streets divided the city into more than 1,200 blocks of uniform size.
The main entrance to the south was the great Rashomon (Rajomon) gate,
which opened on the imposing Suzaku Avenue that bisected the city. At
the avenue's northern terminus was the Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Palace compound housed both governmental and residential
buildings as it had at Heijo, though with many additional structures,
such as the Court of Abundant Pleasures (Burakuin). Provisions were made
for two markets, as well as for merchant and artisan quarters. High
nobility and other aristocratic families were allotted land for
residences according to rank.
The city was planned and formed following the conventional Chinese feng shui with the example of the primeval city of Luoyang. The Heian Palace, or the Imperial Palace, faced south, resulting in Ukyō being on the west, while Sakyō is on the east. The city runs 3 m east to west, and 3.5 m north to south. The entire area or roughly 6,000 acres was enclosed by a light earthen embankment and moat construction that served as protection for the city. The streets in the modern-day wards of Nakagyō-ku, Shimogyō-ku and Kamigyō-ku still follow a grid pattern.
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| Geographical Overview of Kyoto |
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| Cityscape of Kyoto |
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| The Ōnin War |
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| Edo Period |
Early Modern Period/Edo Period : The
prudence of the city proliferated during this era. It was a time of
internal peace, ministerial stability, financial advancement under the
shogunate, i.e, military dictatorship that was introduced by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Late Modern Period/Meiji Period :
The Hamaguri Rebellion of 1864 wrecked 28,000 houses in the city, which displayed the rebels' resentment towards the Tokugawa Shogunate. The emperor ensued to move the capital, which further debilitated the economic state of the kingdom. 
Meiji Period
Transition Over The Years
Change is necessary in every aspect of life in order to improve one's lifestyle. The world has never been the same. People who were alive a century ago, could have never imagined present world. Over the last one hundred years we have seen extraordinary changes in technology.
Here are a few pictures on how Kyoto changed.
Here are some individual pictures of Kyoto that were clicked in the month of October of the year 1974.
Tourist Spectacles
1. The Golden Pavillion
Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, literally "Temple of the Golden Pavilion"), officially named Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺, literally "Deer Garden Temple"), is a Zen Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, Japan, It is one of the most popular buildings in Kyoto, attracting many visitors annually. It is designated as a National Special Historic Site, a National Special Landscape and is one of 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which are World Heritage Sites.
2. Fushimi Inari Shrine
It is possible that the Fushimi Inari Shrine is the most impressive landmark in all of Kyoto. In reality, it is not just one shrine, but the head shrine (taisha) for 32,000 Inari shrines across Japan. Stretching 230 meters (750 feet) up the hill behind it are hundreds of bright red torii (gates). You could easily spend several hours walking up the hillside, taking in the beautiful views of the city of Kyoto and walking through the torii, which appear luminescent in the late afternoon sun. This shrine still holds incredible religious and personal significance to local residents. During the Japanese New Year, millions will come to pay their respects. As you approach the shrine, look for vendors selling the sweet tsujiura senbei, a kind of cookie local to the area and believed to be an early predecessor of the American Fortune Cookie.
3. Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple that dates back to the eighth century. The current buildings of the temple, however, were primarily constructed in the 16th century. Amazingly, not a single nail was used in its construction, relying instead on intricate and advanced woodworking and architectural skills. There is a waterfall within the temple complex, which is where the name Kiyomizu-dera comes from. An old ritual relating to the temple is the idea that jumping nearly 10 meters (30 feet) from the stage would grant the jumper a wish. Due to some fatalities, this practice has been banned at the temple.
4. Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle (Nijō-jō), complete with well-preserved walls, towers, and a moat, was built in 1603 and later served as the seat of government. The complex has several buildings containing many significant works of art, and is famous as the location chosen by the emperor to issue the rescript abolishing the country's once powerful Shogunate.
Highlights include the castle's East Gate (Higashi Otemon, its main
entrance), as well as the Inner Gate, or Karamon, notable for its fine
carvings and decorated metalwork. Beyond this, the elaborate
Mikuruma-yose is another must-see. The site's most important building is Ninomaru Palace.
Consisting of five separate buildings linked by corridors, it boasts
exquisite interiors decorated with many paintings by Kano Tanyu and his
pupils. The principal apartment is the Hall of the Imperial Emissary (Jodan-no-ma), matched in splendor by the adjoining rooms, Ni-no-ma and Tozamurai-no-ma with their paintings of tigers.
5.Nishi Honganji Temple
The chief temple of the original Jodo-shinshu sect, Nishi Honganji Temple is an outstanding example of Buddhist architecture. Highlights include the Hondo, or Main Hall. Rebuilt in 1760, notable features of this fine structure include a number of rooms decorated with paintings on gold backgrounds, and numerous important statues, some dating from the 6th century.
9.Tofukuji Temple
Besides Fushimi Inari Shrine, there are a number of other tourist spots in the area. Tofukuji Temple is one of them which is known as the best place to see the beautiful view of the colorful leaves in autumn. It’s one of the principal Zen temples in Kyoto and the large temple site includes the Zen garden and the oldest gate of the Zen temples in Japan which is designated as the National Treasure.
5. The Kyoto National Museum and Municipal Museum of Art
In addition to its many fine old temples with their important artworks, Kyoto also boasts a number of impressive collections in its world-class museums and galleries. Perhaps the best known is the National Museum, an art gallery established in 1897 that is widely considered the most important such museum in Japan.
Focusing predominantly on pre-modern Asian art, particularly examples from Japan, the museum has been completely renovated and includes a new wing designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi. Highlights of a visit include seeing numerous examples of historic art and applied arts, along with regular exhibitions (be prepared for plenty of walking).
Hidden Spots in Kyoto
1. Nishiki Market
In the downtown district of Kyoto, you can step straight off the smart, spacious Shijo Street and into a thriving shopping street filled with locals, visitors and everyone in between. From grandmothers buying pickles to toddlers chewing on skewered octopus heads, there’s something charming about this place, and plenty to explore. And it’s been here, in one form or another, since around 1615 (perhaps even earlier).
With over 100 stalls and shops lining the covered street, the Nishiki food market offers a real mixture of produce. Open from around 10am to 6pm, it’s more of a daytime affair, but perfect for some snacks during busy sightseeing schedules or a lunch nearby.
2. Tenryuji Temple
Built in 1339, Tenryuji is a Zen temple belonging to the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. Visitors to this temple often feel as though they are being watched - and they are! If you look up, you will see this incredible painting of a dragon gazing back at you.
Within the grounds of this temple, you will also find the Sogen Chiteien garden, which was created by the Zen priest Muso Soseki, and was designated as Japan’s first historic landmark and National Scenic Site. The temple is located in the beautiful Arashiyama area, right near the scenic bamboo grove.
3. Rurikoin Temple
Rurikoin Temple is a peaceful, historical temple and natural oasis hidden away in the Yase area of Kyoto. During the Jinshin Revolt in the year 672, Oama no Oji, who later became another legendary figure in Japan, Emperor Temmu, is said to have come to this area to heal his injuries in the Yase no Kamaburu (steam bath), which has served as the model for numerous steam baths and recuperation facilities both in Kyoto and across Japan.
4.Yogenin Temple
Yogenin is a small Buddhist temple originally built in 1594. It is most known for using wooden planks bloodied from the fall of Fushimi Castle in 1600. Visitors can see this by looking up when they walk down the halls inside the temple.
The bloodied ceilings are known as chitenjo in Japanese. There are four other temples in Kyoto that use these planks, but Yogenin is one of the easiest to get too. Looking up, you will be filled with fascination and perhaps slight apprehension imagining the battles of the past.
5. Kaboku Cafe
"Tea-Lover's Paradise". If you're looking to have a taste of traditionally brewed tea in Japan, Kaboku Tearoom is where you should go. Boasting of over 40 variations of green tea, this tea-room is the ideal place to experience the true essence of Japanese tea culture. Expert brewers manage to capture the richness of flavor using the old-fashioned method of slow-brewing loose tea leaves, while maintaining the temperature of the water and a consistent ratio. This tea-room also offers customers a hands-on experience and satisfaction of brewing their own cup of tea under the guidance of professionals.
Mysterious Spots in Kyoto and the stories behind 'em.
1. Crying stone (Yasaka Shrine)
Yasaka Shrine is one of the most famous historical spots in Kyoto. Located in the Higashiyama District along with other popular tourist attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera temple. It is also widely known for the annual summer festival called Gion Festival, which has a long history dating back in the 9th century.
At this popular tourist spot, you can find “Crying Stone”, which is situated under a peaceful tree on the shrine ground. There is a humor that the stone starts crying at night. It is counted as one of the seven mysteries at the shrine that have been told from one generation to another over centuries. You can find similar stories about crying stones everywhere across Japan. The reason why there are stories like this remains a mystery.
2. Minatoya Yurei Kosodateame Honpo (The Child Rearing Ghost)
“Minatoya Yurei Kosodateame Honpo”―It is known as the oldest candy shop in Japan which has a long history of over 500 years. It takes about 15 minutes to get there from Kiyomizu-dera temple. There is a mysterious story about the shop which has been passed down over centuries.
One night, when the owner of the shop was about to close the shop, a pale woman came to the shop and asked him to sell candy for her. He gave her a candy, and the same thing continued for the next 6 days.
7 days later, when he was counting the sales, he realized that one of the coins in the cashier turned into a leaf which was usually placed at graves. It made him suspect that the woman might be the one who gave him the fake money. She came again that night, and he decided to follow her, finding out that she suddenly disappeared into one of the graves at the cemetery. All of sudden, he heard a baby crying under the ground. He dug up the ground and took out the baby from the coffin where he also found the body of the woman who had already passed away. She gave birth to the baby after her death, and was trying to rear the baby by buying the candy with the money made from leaves.The same candy is sold even now.
3. Otowa Waterfalls
The 3 waterfalls that can be found in the temple of Kiyomizu Dera temple is one of the most renowned toruist places in Kyoto. The water that flows here originates in Mt.Otowa, The word "Kiyomizu" literally translates to "Pure Water". Each of these waterfalls means omething different and unique, a meaning associated with scholastic success, romantic relationship and perpetuity.
4. Rokudo Chinno-ji (The entrance of afterlife)
“Rokudo” (六道) refers to the six realms that are believed to exist apart from the real world. In Buddhism, they are considered as an afterworld where we are supposed to be reborn after death. Since the temple was located close to a cemetery which was once a big one in Kyoto, people back in the old days regarded it as the entrance of the afterlife
5. Akabashi Tunnel and Ochiai Bridge
Despite being a distinguished spot for photographers to capture admirable natural scenery, Ochiai Bridge and Akabashi Tunnel are infamous, as there's evidence of innumerable suicides, natural disasters and mysterious sightings. The bridge connects the northern part of the tunnel to the opposite valley and the steep drop into the shallow river below is said to be a commonly-used means of committing suicide. Besides suicides the area is also known for numerous flood-related deaths and suspicious perishing of local residents.The walls of the tunnel are frequently splashed with photographs of people who have gone missing. Locals have reportedly, frequently claimed to have sighted frightening dark figures to be waiting by the tunnel, wandering.. As if all that wasn't enough there are several rumors telling of the area being used for sky burials (Tibetan funeral practice in which corpses are left atop mountains for wildlife and nature to use for sustenance), even though it is illegal in Japan.
6. Kiyotaki Tunnel
The Kiyotaki Tunnel is shrouded in spook as there have been numerous reports of paranormal activity going on in the tunnel. For decades this place has been a hot spot for ghost hunters and people interested in everything paranormal.People have witnessed strange and inexplicable things while going through the tunnel over the years. Some of the most frequent sightings are ghosts which appear in the backseat of a car and quickly disappear after the driver discovers the unwanted passenger. Some people say the ghosts visiting the tunnel are the spirits of the people who died in the area as the tunnel was built on both an execution site and a battlefield. Others say it's the spirits of the construction workers who died while building the tunnel, while others claim the paranormal activity is cause by a spiritual forte.
The Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997. Owing to a complex ratification process, it entered into force on 16 February 2005. Currently, there are 192 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol.
In short, the Kyoto Protocol ope rationalizes the United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change by committing industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. The Convention itself only asks those countries to adopt policies and measures on mitigation and to report periodically.
The Kyoto Protocol is based on the principles and provisions of the Convention and follows its annex-based structure. "It only binds developed countries, and places a heavier burden on them under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities”, because it recognizes that they are largely responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere.