Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Holiday Hotspot – Kyoto Japan - www.kyoto.travel FOR those looking for a glimpse of the real Japan, or just a fun night out, Kyoto mixes old world charm with a modern and vibrant night life. With over 1,000 years of uninterrupted history as one
■ Geisha in Kyoto
of Japan’s premier cultural, artistic, religious and political centres the dozens of ancient temples, Zen gardens and museums will keep you busy throughout your visit, and best of all, they can be explored on foot by public transport or driver. The Kinkaku-ji, or “Golden Pavilion,” is one of the iconic sights of Kyoto. Built as a pavilion by a 15th-century shogun and burned down by a deranged monk in the 1950s, it has now been completely reborn. Hardly a day passes by without one of the many temples or shrines hosting a colourful and ancient festival. With its world-famous stone garden (karesansui) Ryoan-ji is another of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. This Zen rock garden is believed to have been originally landscaped in the 15th century. Kyoto is also the birthplace of “Geisha” a timehonored custom, which began in the 17th century and typically includes songs with shamisen (a threestringed instrument). This ancient city is also famous
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for its traditional handicrafts, which be roughly divided into three categories – Buddhist art, tea ceremony accoutrements and everyday household items. ■ Hyatt Regency Hyatt Regency Kyoto Kyoto is where trendy locals & tourists hold court. t r a i n . The hotel is truly a work to some of the more of art. Designed by leading rural areas of ancient Japanese designer Takashi Kyoto for exploring. Sugimoto the hotel features For best rates see several gardens, contempo- www.kyoto.regency. rary Japanese furniture, tra- hyatt.com Kyoto is ditional textiles, cedar tubs easily reachable from ■ Kinkakuji Templ and a spa with shiatsu and a number of major e Kyoto acupuncture. Guests enjoy cities in Japan by a number of different break- Shinkansen bullet train and fast options, fitness center, you really sense that feeling periences and discoveries in spa, salon, and flat-screen of elation passing Mount Fuji Kyoto and the rest of Japan televisions in every room. at high speeds! Its best to with his family and friends. I was particularly fond of engage the services of a spe- Chris now runs walking & the hotel’s suites, which offer cialist tour operator to or- general tours for those who Western and Japanese styles ganise your travel pass. One wish to get a closer look at overlooking a private Japa- example Windows to Japan his adopted homeland. www. nese garden.The restaurants gives visitors the opportu- chrisrowthorntours.com at Hyatt Regency include nity for a close encounter Turkish airlines offer super Touzan, serving traditional with the fascinating culture connections from Dublin to Japanese cuisine; The Grill, of Kyoto and beyond offering Tokyo or Osaka via Istanbul. specializing in meat and sea- independent and group tour On long-haul flights, first, food and Trattoria Sette the itineraries. www.windowsto- business & economy class Italian offering. Active travel- japan.com US ex pat Chris passenger’s feast on autheners can tour nearby Yogenin Rowthorn started Insid- tic Turkish and international Temple, shop in the Nishiki eKyoto.com as his personal dishes and the “in flight” Market, or take the nearby blog in 2007 to share his ex- experience leaves other car-
riers trailing far behind. The new business lounge for passengers connecting at Istanbul will leave you breathless and for me is the finest of its kind in the world. For best fares to Japan visit www.turkishairlines.com For more information on visiting Kyoto: www.kyoto.travel Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com