Canadian World Traveller Summer 2019 Issue

8
Kyoto in all
its Splendour
Article and photography by Michael Morcos
If you want to understand Japan, go to
Kyoto! I kept hearing that phrase before
embarking on this tour of discovery.
Although this was not my first trip to Japan, it
would mark my introduction to this amazing
city.
Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is much bigger
than I thought; this was evident upon
arrival at the massive train station. Kyoto station
is a new structure and an engineering
marvel of both art and architectural and an
attraction on its own. Located in the dead
centre of town, it links passengers to connections
throughout Japan by commuter trains
and the slick, iconic bullet train.
Nijo Castle
So little time and so much to see. I would
concentrate on the most popular sites, and
they do not get any more visited then the Nijo
castle. At first glance, it seemed small. This is
deceiving as the surrounding walls hide the
enormous buildings and gardens found
inside.
The Castle, constructed in 1603, was a home
for the first shogun of the Edo Period, and its
palace buildings are some of the best surviving
examples of castle palace architecture of
Japan's feudal era. In 1994, it was designated
a UNESCO world heritage site and walking
around, it is easy to see why. Stone walls
and moats surround the grounds, and a traditional
Japanese landscape garden with a
large pond, ornamental stones and manicured
pine trees can also be explored
The Castle’s Ninomaru Palace consists of
multiple buildings connected to each other by
corridors with nightingale floors, which
squeak when stepped upon as a security
measure against intruders!
All the palace rooms are filled with tatami
mats and elegantly decorated ceilings and
sliding doors. Truly regal.
Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion
When they called it the gold pavilion, they
were bang on – a site where the main building
is covered in gold leaf. Hard to believe
and seeing is believing, I would stand there in
awe as this historic and decadent Japanese
building glistening in the sun with a magnificent
pond beneath it and forest all around.
Now a Zen temple, its top two floors overlook
the large pond, and each floor has a different
architectural style. The first floor has a
Shinden style with natural wood pillars and
white plaster walls that both contrasts and
complements the gilded upper stories of the
pavilion. Statues of the historical Buddha are
stored here as well. Second floor Bukke style
used in samurai residences and the third and
uppermost floor is in the style of a Chinese
Zen Hall, gilded inside and out, and capped
with a golden phoenix. The sight is a site to
behold, indeed!
Kiyomizudera Temple
Getting to this temple is time-consuming feat.
Not because it is far, being located in the centre
of Kyoto. It is the countless stores that line
the street on the way that would draw my