The complex of Daitokuji Temple consists of nearly two dozen sub-temples and is one of the best places in Japan to see a wide variety of Zen gardens and to experience Zen culture and architecture. The complex itself is always open to public where I used to walk through almost everyday in my childhood. Daitokuji has historical background closely related to a great unifier of Japan " Oda Nobunaga " and ancient tea master " Ikkyu ". Each sub-temple in the complex require some entrance fee to see its garden. I will take you to two of sub-temples of my recommendation. I will also take you to one called Jyuko-in if you book a tour on its open day ( 28th of each month ). Let's stroll inside the complex before go inside a sub-temple. The entrance to each sub-temple requires additional cost of 500 yen per person here.

The oldest tea house in Japan : We'll get here on the back side path of Imamiya Shrine to visit this ancient tea house right when they open. Even if it is in season you can beat the crowd in this way. This tea house is owned by my family acquaintance and staffs know me very well from my childhood. I also did translation job for this shop. You'll be treated well since they know me very well from the time of my grand father. There are two similar tea houses on the stone path and the one across the street seems more popular which I don't know why, but I would get scolded to visit another one. I am actually little curious, but we must stick to the one called Ichimonjiya. There is a very strong tension of rivalry between them in real life. This place has been shot for many period dramas and samurai movies. I can talk to the people inside to give us the best seats.

Imamiya Shrine inside ( 10 : 30 a.m ) : When you walk out of Daitokuji Temple from its west gate, it is only a few minutes walk to Imamiya Shrine. This time-honored place is called " Imamiya Shrine. It is founded in 1001 to protect people from epidemic spreading out among towns people. I will be explaining more about this place when we get there. Murasakino Uenocho Bus stop ( 11 : 10 a.m ) : It is only a minute walk to this bus stop from Imamiya Shrine to take No. 46 which directly goes to Kamigamo Shrine. This is the most efficient way to save the time and no mess of tourists being on the same bus because all the tourtsts are already off going to the same direction before they come to the north. You can get a comfortable seat. Even to get to the same destination, it is very important where you take a bus from. It is to go from the locals way. This is the best way to get to a World Heritage site. It only takes about 10 minutes to get there.

Kamigamo Shrine ( 11 : 20 a.m ) : Upon your arrival, you are already right in front of Kamigamo Shrine. Kamigamo Shrine is the oldest Shinto shrine in this ancient city. Since prehistoric times it has preserved and transmit the legends relating to the birth of the shrine deity. It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in entire Japan and one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. You'll be guided to the forest and hidden Inari shrine within its large precincts. From its uphill observation point, I will offer you an area guide before we go strolling on our way in Kamigamo. ● Lunch Break ( 12 : 20 p.m ) : After visiting Kamigamo Shrine, we will take a lunch break nearby. Let's go for casual Teishoku restaurant which serves Japanese combination meals.

Kamigamo Shake-machi ( 1 : 00 p.m ) : I would like to introduce Shake-machi of Kamigamo of this area. Just follow the sacred stream running out from Kamigamo Shrine, you will come out on a main street of Kamigamo with historic landscape. There you will see some magnificent residences built one next to another along the stream. That's Shake-machi. Ancient houses belong to those sacred family served to the shrine in old time. You can visit to see inside by getting a permission. Since Tsuda Clan living in one of them is my acquaintance I will get this permission for this one.

Making our access from the backstreet of Kamigamo, we'll visit Ota Shrine and some secret bamboo forest behind and garden of Azekura. No tourists can discover this course no matter how hard they try with ordinary information source. Ota Shrine is known as a place where a rare species of Iris grown in a marsh where natural water flows into. It has an impression of floating isle. It was depicted in an ancient poem. This atmospheric shrine is very peaceful inside. This is a place to make a deep wish. We will walk through the most beautiful pathways toward the best point of Kamo River in the north. After some walking, I will send you to the most convenient point to make your way back to your accommodation.