East AsiaGATE

Kyoto – Japan(kyo-oh-to)

Ashley Noto: Cool & Educational Stuff

Reed Kuhn: Relevant Stuff

Kyoto Station Cherry Blossoms

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Kyoto: Agenda

• History• Fun Facts• Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts• Economy and Currency• Transportation• Kyoto Cuisine• Kyoto Hot Spots• Itinerary

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History of the City

• 800 A.D. to 1185: Heian Period– Heian-Kyo: Peace and Tranquility– Arts, education, and Buddhism

• 12th Century to 1868: Samurai (Shogunate) Ruling– Kamakura Period (1185-1333) – National capital

moves to Kamakura– 1336: National Capital moves back to Kyoto.

Despite Civil Wars, Kyoto flourished in the arts and Zen Buddhism

– Edo Period (1600-1868) – National capital moves to Edo (Tokyo).

• 1868 to the Present: Imperial Rule established and Tokyo is officially named Japan’s capital.

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Fun Facts about Kyoto

• Hot Bed of Culture– The only major Japanese city spared from the bombs of World

War II – 1,700 Buddhist temples and 300 Shinto shrines.– Home to 20% of Japan's national treasures.

• Weather– Average temperature: 60 - 70 degrees F– Average precipitation: 5.7 inches

• Population: 1.5 million people• Local Industries

– Tourism– Traditional Japanese Crafts– Electronics (Nintendo, OMRON)

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Economy & Currency

• Local Economy– Strong growth over recent years– Recent downturn mirrors US– Relations with China – 30 year low– Anti-Japan protests could decrease

business in China

• Japanese Yen (¥)– Currently, $1 = ¥107.50– US dollar strengthening since

January vs. Yen

Nikkei Index – Past 6 mo.

US Dollar vs. Japan Yen (1yr)

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East AsiaGATETransportation

Arrival on Saturday May 21st • By Shinkansen (high-speed train) at 12:40 PM

Local Transportation• Subway system: pervasive, near hotel• Bus system: 220 ¥ per trip, or 500 ¥ day-pass • Taxis: common, but expensive

Departure (for Home!) on Sunday, May 22nd • Fly from Kansai International Airport (KIX)

– 72 minutes from Kyoto by train– Airport built on artificial island – Top 10 Civil Engineering Monuments of the

Millennium (survived earthquakes & typhoons)– 5:55 PM flight leaves for home

Shinkansen

KIX Airport Island

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Do’s and Don’ts in KyotoPublic Places: • It is considered rude to blow your nose in public places - wait until you can find a restroom.• Carry a travel pack of tissues - public toilets don't always provide toilet paper. Eating: • Eating while walking along the street is frowned upon by older Japanese people but the

younger generation can often be seen doing this.• Avoid eating on public transportation (Unless on a long journey where food is served). Shoes & Clothing: • Shoes are considered unclean and should be removed before entering most private indoor

areas such as Japanese-style restaurants and accommodation, private homes, shrines and temples. Whenever there is a step up onto polished wooden floors or 'tatami' (straw mats) you should take off your shoes.

• Special slippers are offered when using the toilet facilities. Be sure to remove these slippers before returning to the common area.

• Women should avoid wearing overly revealing clothing, particularly when visiting shrines & temples.

Dining:• When you are required to sit on the floor, either tuck your legs underneath you or sit cross-

legged. It is inappropriate to stretch your legs out in front of you. • Do not place your chopsticks upright in the middle of your rice or pass food from your

chopsticks to someone else’s plate.• Do not mix your food or pour soy sauce all over your meal, especially the rice. • It is impolite to fill your own glass – fill the glass of the person next to you and wait until they

reciprocate. Filling your own glass admits to everyone at the table that you are an alcoholic.• There is no custom of tipping in Japan. Instead, establishments such as restaurants, bars,

and hotels will sometimes add a 10% service charge to your bill.

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Kyoto Cuisine• Kyo-ryori: linked to Kyoto's long history and to seasonal foods

produced in the surrounding region. – Shojin-ryori: vegetarian dishes created for Zen Buddhist priests and

pilgrims making the rounds of Kyoto's many temples. • tofu simmered in a pot at your table (yudofu)• filmy sheets of soy milk curd (yuba) • local vegetables.

• Own style of kaiseki (Kyo-kaiseki): – Originally conceived as a meal to be taken before the tea ceremony.– Eventually became an elaborate feast enjoyed by the capital's nobility

with its blend of ceremonial court cuisine, Zen vegetarian food, and simple tea-ceremony dishes.

• Obanzai: home-style Kyoto cooking using traditional seasonal ingredients.

• Tip: Any restaurant advertising that it serves Kyo-ryori generally offers a variety of Kyoto specialties.

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East AsiaGATEKyoto Hot Spots

• Other Attractions:– Nijo Castle (Nijojo): Built by the first Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu, in 1603.

• Includes 33 rooms, approximately 800 tatami mats, and nightingale floors that creak to protect the shogun from real or imagined enemies

– Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts: • Displays and videos demonstrate the production of crafts ranging from stone lanterns

and fishing rods to textiles, paper fans, umbrellas, boxwood combs, lacquerware, Buddhist altars, and Noh masks.

• Shopping:– Specialty shops in central Kyoto at the intersection of Shijo Dori and

Kawaramachi Dori. – Make sure to purchase: dolls, lacquerware, fans, ceramics, Japanese tea,

knives, and cooking utensils. • Nightlife:

– Rooftop beer gardens– A-Bar – cheap student Japanese pub– Pig & Whistle – most popular “gaijin” bar– Karaoke! at Jumbo Karaoke Hiroba (same building as Pig & Whistle)

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• 10:06 AM Depart from Tokyo on train• 12:40 PM Arrive in Kyoto

• New Hankyu Kyoto:

Reed Bar: “World Famous Spirits”

Itinerary Saturday, May 21st - Arrival

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East AsiaGATEItinerary (con’t.)

Saturday, May 21st - Afternoon

Tour & Temple Visits– Kinkakuji

• Golden Pavilion• Zen Temple• Built ~1400 AD

– Kiyomizudera• “Pure Water Temple”• Built 780 AD

Kinkakuji

Kiyomizudera – Main Hall

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Final Group Dinner at Ganko Takasegawa Nijoen

Night: Go out, it’s Saturday Night! (Red Bull pending)

Final Group Dinner Restaurant: Ganko Takasegawa Nijoen

http://www.gnavi.co.jp/kansai/en/k026603h.htm

Itinerary (con’t.)

Saturday, May 21st - Evening