Today's story is walking around City Centre and Imperial Palace. From Kyoto Station to City Centre (Shijo Kawaramachi), you can just walk alongside Kamo River that I have written about in the previous blog. Alternatively you can take Kawaramachi Street on the east of Kyoto Station where buses numbered 4, 17, 104 and 205 are travelling, or Karasuma Street (the main street adjoining Kyoto Station) and Shijo Street.
Shijo Kawaramachi is extremely busy on weekends with shoppers and tourists. And traffic around there is so busy too.
Busy Shijo Kawaramachi Intersection
Heavy traffic on Shijo Street in the city centre
Loads of department stores, restaurants, cafes and shops are located in the city centre and you can buy presents to your family and friends. Kimono, yukata (Japanese dresses similar to kimono; mostly wore when seeing firework displays and joining obon dances) and geta (Japanese shoes) can be purchased.
Roofs are installed on Shijo Street between Karasuma and Kawaramachi, and arcade shopping malls are located, so don't worry about getting wet!
Shinkyogoku Shopping Mall
Not only traditional Japanese items but also owl cafe and Japanese restaurant where you will be served by ninja are very unique at Shinkyogoku Shopping Mall.
The Owl Cafe
A Shrine called Nishiki Tenmangu is located alongside the shopping mall and you can visit to pray your wishes. And the famous Nishiki Market is located on the other side of the shrine over Teramachi Shopping Mall.
Nishiki Tenmangu
Nishiki Market
Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Shopping Malls are established south to north. Another arcade shopping mall called Sanjo Shotengai runs from west to east and adjoins those two shopping malls.
Sanjo Shotengai with streamers of cherries
It only lasts a few hundred metres between Kawaramachi and Teramachi but has nice restaurants, cafes and shops too.
At the north end of the Teramachi Shopping Mall, you can visit Honnoji Temple where a famous Samurai Nobunaga Oda was killed by the fire he lit up. Oda had been staying at the temple and was attacked by Mitsuhide Akechi who had served as a warrior for Oda but ended his loyalty and faithful to Oda. Oda set a fire attempting Akechi's attacks. The historical event is called "Honnoji no hen" in Japanese.
Also Kyoto City Hall (Kyoto City Council Office) is located across the road from the north end of the Teramachi Shopping Mall.
Kyoto City Hall
Even the arcade shopping mall is ended, shops, restaurants and cafes are still established on Teramachi Street towards north until Marutamachi Street that connects with Kyoto Imperial Palace Park.
Shop built as traditional Japanese building on Teramachi Street
Turning left onto Marutamachi Street, you will get in Kyoto Imperial Place Park in a few minutes. Big black gates with roofs welcome you.
A Gate at Imperial Palace Park
The park is approximate 700 metres width and 1,300 metres length. It's a good place to relax and get refreshed as well as picnics. As there are many benches and some with benches, you can have meals in the park.
Imperial Park - Good place to relax
Visiting shrines and dropping by the lake will calm down and soothe you. It's a good relaxation in the post dealing with the busy city.
Nice views over the lake
In the north of the park, the Imperial Palace, the former residence house of Emperors (13th Century to 1869) is located. The palace is open to view to the public. You can view from 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday except 28 December to 4 January. The last entry is 4.20 pm. In the autumn and winter, early closure may occur due to early sun set.
Please note that the Imperial Palace is closed on Tuesday when a public holiday falls Monday.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Throughout the park, greeny trees bring you fresh air and relaxes you. Foods will be more delicious with fresh air in the park.
Plum trees and blossoms
Leaving the park in the north end near Doshisya University, I still saw trees planted between the park and Imadegawa Street that I was walking. It was a nice end of walking before boarding a bus at Kawaramachi Imadegawa going back to Kyoto Station.
Trees on Imadegawa Street
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