The Fragrance of Ume Blossoms at Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine The sight of students as they visit the shrine to pray for success in their examinations evokes a fresh, unspoiled image. The sweet fragrance of ume blossoms will tickle your nose as you enter the grounds of Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine, which is devoted to the god of learning and former government official, Minister Sugawara-no-Michizane (845-903 AD).

	A Five-storied Pagoda Standing Dignified In The Midst Of Winter We can see our breath, but even so, the grounds of Toji Temple are bustling with activity during the Shimai Kobo Market, which falls on the 21st of December, a day closely associated with Kobo Daishi Kukai. Toji Temple, also known as Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple, is the head temple of the Shingon Buddhist sect.

The autumn colors reflected in the canal near Nanzen-ji Temple The tinted maple leaves swirling in the air as they fall on the temple grounds overlooking the ancient capital city of Kyoto bring a hint of the harsh winter to follow. In the fall, the area along the Tetsugaku-no-michi (Philosopher's Path) down to Eikando Temple and on to the Keage district in Kyoto with its canal, is ablaze with the colors of autumn.

	Reflected in the Skies of Autumn, The Symbol of Modern Kyoto The lush greenery of summer has given way to the tints of autumn, forming a perfect contrast with the clear azure sky. The preeminent cultural zone of Kyoto, Okazaki is also famous as a tourist spot.

	Enjoy Cool Evenings in the Mountains of Kyoto at Kibune and Kurama During the Summer! The greenery gets deeper at each station on the Eizan Railway as it nears its destination, about a 30 minute ride from the city. Here, the air is cool, even in summer, and Kibune and Kurama are also known as the back-room of Kyoto.

	Signaling the Arrival of Summer: Gion Matsuri and Yasaka Shrine A short walk up aged stone steps, past the vermilion-lacquered gate and down a cobble-stone path is a silent world where the noisy city streets have faded away like a dream.

	The Oldest Shrine in Kyoto, Surrounded by Greenery. There is an ancient primeval forest within the shrine grounds. The official name of the shrine is the 'Kamo-mioya Shrine,' but, as it is located in the lower reaches of the Kamogawa River, it is affectionately known to the locals as the Shimogamo Shrine ("shimo" means "lower" in Japanese).

	With Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom in Spring, Nijo Castle is the Essence of Japanese Beauty. The first thing everyone notices when they come to Nijo-jo (Nijo Castle) is the grand outer moat running around the whole castle grounds and then the towering doors of the front gate. On the other side of the long white walls, the spirit of the 400-year reign of the Tokugawa Shogunate lives on ––––

	Leisurely Walks Under the Blooming Cherry Trees at Arashiyama. Imagine sunlight descending through a veil of light-pink cherry blossoms, and the feeling of a gentle breeze as it plays upon the surface of the river ––––

 

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