Been There – Kyoto
Starbucks Been There Kyoto is a mug for one of the oldest municipalities in Japan.
Founded in 794 CE as Heian-kyō, Kyoto served as Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennium, shaping the nation’s cultural and spiritual identity. The city emerged as a center of aristocratic culture, Buddhist scholarship, and artistic innovation during the Heian period. Despite fires, wars, and modernization, Kyoto preserved its cultural heritage through centuries, maintaining its status as Japan’s cultural heart even after the imperial capital moved to Tokyo in 1868.
Places to visit:
– The Ryoanji Temple Rock Garden stands as a masterpiece of Zen minimalism, featuring fifteen carefully placed rocks amid a sea of meticulously raked gravel. This 500-year-old garden embodies the essence of Japanese aesthetics, where emptiness holds as much significance as form. Viewed from the temple’s wooden platform, the garden invites contemplation and represents the epitome of karesansui (dry landscape) design.
– Right below the picture of the stone garden we see a depiction of Chimaki (they look somewhat like a flower bouquet). These are traditional steamed dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves that represent the cultural exchange between China and Japan. In Japanese culture, these dumplings have become an integral part of Children’s Day celebrations on May 5th, where they are enjoyed while celebrating the happiness and health of young people across the nation. During Kyoto’s Gion Festival, Chimaki takes on additional significance as both a cherished festival food and a talisman for good fortune, with many homes hanging decorative Chimaki made of wrapped bamboo leaves at their entrances to ward off evil spirits.
– Kyoto is renowned as the premier center for kimono craftsmanship in Japan. The kimono, a traditional garment characterized by its elegant design and intricate patterns, reflects the artistry and cultural heritage of the region. In Kyoto, visitors can experience the beauty of kimonos firsthand, whether by renting one for a day to stroll through the city’s historic streets or by witnessing the skilled artisans who continue to weave these exquisite fabrics.
– The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine captivates visitors with its endless tunnel of vermillion torii gates winding up Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice and prosperity, this shrine complex features thousands of gates donated by businesses and individuals seeking good fortune. Fox statues, believed to be Inari’s messengers, guard the shrine’s numerous sub-temples and ceremonial gates.
– Arashiyama presents a harmonious blend of natural and cultural landscapes on Kyoto’s western outskirts. The district’s iconic bamboo grove towers overhead, creating an ethereal green canopy that has inspired poets and artists for generations. The area encompasses the historic Togetsukyo Bridge spanning the Katsura River, with the surrounding mountains providing a spectacular backdrop that changes dramatically with each season.
– Hōkan-ji Temple, commonly known as Yasaka Pagoda, stands as a striking five-story landmark in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. This 46-meter-tall pagoda serves as both a spiritual monument and a visible symbol of Kyoto’s historical preservation. The structure’s elegant silhouette against the traditional merchant houses of Higashiyama creates one of Kyoto’s most photographed scenes, particularly stunning during cherry blossom season.
– Kyo-zushi, Kyoto’s distinctive style of sushi, reflects the city’s inland location and rich culinary heritage spanning centuries. Unlike its Tokyo counterpart, Kyo-zushi traditionally features cured or cooked fish due to the historical challenge of acquiring fresh seafood in the landlocked ancient capital. The style is characterized by its elegant presentation, use of local vegetables, and time-honored preservation techniques that date back to the imperial court’s cuisine.
