Kyoto: Japan's Spiritual Capital
—Adam Nelson
When you think about Japanese cities, you might imagine neon-lined avenues, impressively fast trains, or wide-eyed cartoon characters. But there is another urban Japan—one filled with ancient temples, peaceful Zen gardens, and beautifully dressed geisha. To experience traditional Japanese culture, there is no better place to visit than Kyoto.
A great place to start your visit is Kiyomizu-dera, a Buddhist temple founded in 778. It is easily recognized from its four-story stage made up of wooden posts. At the base of the temple, visitors can take water from three falling streams, which represent long life, success in school, and fortune in love. In November, the grounds are lit up, and the temple is surrounded by bright clouds of colorful leaves.
Just north of Kiyomizu-dera is Gion. There you can take a walk outside the old merchant houses and have a cup of traditional green tea. You might even spot a few geisha on their way to meet clients. Follow the cherry tree–lined Philosopher's Path all the way up to the Silver Pavilion, which is located in a lovely Zen garden.
京都：日本的心靈首都
當你想到日本的城市，你或許會想像霓虹燈林立的街道、速度超快的火車，或是大眼睛的卡通人物。但是日本城市還有另一面──有著許多古寺、寧靜的禪園，以及打扮得十分漂亮的藝妓的城市。想要體驗傳統的日本文化，沒有比京都更適合造訪的地方了。
建於西元七七八年的清水寺是一個很好的造訪起點。它很容易從木頭柱子組成的四層樓的舞臺辨認出來。遊客可以在清水寺下方汲取三道瀑布的水，分別代表長壽、學業成就及戀愛運。十一月時，整個園區被燈光照亮，而清水寺則被一團團色彩鮮艷繽紛的葉子圍繞著。
祇園就在清水寺的北邊。在那裡，你可以在京町家外散步，喝杯傳統綠茶。你甚至還可能看到幾位正要去接見客戶的藝妓呢。沿著櫻樹林立的哲學之道一路往北走可以到銀閣寺，它就位在宜人的禪園裡。
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