Gion District, Kyoto

The Ginkakuji (or Silver Pavilion) Temple lies in the northeast part of the city. In contrast to the Kinkakuji (or Golden Pavilion) Temple, this was never decorated with a covering of silver. It was built in 1482 by the eighth Ashikaga Shogun as a country residence. On his death it was converted into a Zen temple. It stands by a pool in which the two-story building is reflected. In its upper story it houses a gilded statue of Kannon. Behind it is the main hall with an important statue of Buddha. There is a tearoom adjacent.There are two other rooms which are interesting. They are supposed to have been used as incense chambers. Just as Zen Buddhism created the Tea Ceremony and Ikebana, in order to discipline the senses of taste and sight, it also made arrangements for occasions when people came together and incense was burnt in order to develop and improve the sense of smell.

The Chion-in Temple, the main seat of the Jodo sects, is situated in the east of the city. It is one of Japan's most famous temples and its precinct covers 35ac (14.5ha). Its buildings, which were frequently destroyed by fire, were rebuilt for the last time at the beginning of the 17th C. Its 77ft (24m) high, two-story tower, Sammon-san, is reputedly the most magnificent gate-tower in Japan, and its campanile houses the country's largest bell; it stands 18ft (5.4m) high, has a diameter of 9ft (2.70m), weighs 71 tons, and was cast in 1633. It is rung only during the festivals, which take place in mid-April. After the main hall, which is dedicated to Honen, the founder of the sect who lies buried here, and the assembly hall, the major attraction is the impressive Sutra Library. This houses a complete collection of the Buddhist Sutra, in 5,600 volumes, which was printed in China at the time of the Sung Dynasty.

The Heian Shrine, to the east of the city, was built in 1885 to mark the 1100th anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto. It was dedicated to the city's founder, Emperor Kammu (737-806), and to the last Emperor to reside there, Emperor Komei (1831-66).The buildings are small-scale reproductions of the palace of the first Emperor. They are painted red and white, with blue roof tiles, and in this combination of colors the influence of China which is characteristic of the Heian period (794-1192) may be seen quite clearly.The Shrine itself comprises two main halls, a state apartment, two towers and a large red-painted Torii made of reinforced concrete.A large landscaped garden extends behind the Shrine.

As well as the Heian Shrine there is another temple worth visiting in the east of the city. It is the Nanzenji Temple, which belongs to the Rinzai sect. (Other temple complexes belonging to this sect in the north are the Kinkajuji, Ryoanji and Daitokuji Temples.)The Temple was founded in 1293. It is delightfully situated in the middle of a copse at the foot of a hill. Its most important attraction is its two-story Torii, dating from 1628, with ceiling paintings by famous contemporary artists. There are also panels on the sliding walls in the main hall. The portrayal of tigers in a bamboo thicket is particularly striking. The temple complex has a stone garden.

Shoren-in Temple or Awata Palace is formerly a residence of the abbots of the Enryakuji Temple (Mount Hisi). The main hall (rebuilt in 1895) has wall screens with works by Kano Mitsunobu, Kano Motonobu and Sumiyoshi Gukei. There is a beautiful and carefully tended landscaped garden laid out by Soami and Kobori Enshu.

The Museum of Traditional Industry is in the basement of the Kyoto City Kangyokan. Half of the collection is on arts and crafts with exhibitions, demonstrations and sales of Kyoto handicrafts featured.

The Nomura Museum is named after Tokuhiti Nomura, a founder of the Nomura financial empire. The collection includes tea ceremony articles, such as cold water jars, incense burner, tea bowls as well as arts and crafts.

The Museum of Modern Art is renowned for its collection of contemporary Japanese ceramics and paintings.