Elite Traveler Summer 2023

elite traveler SUMMER 2023 125

Nara Park and its free-roaming deer

Arashiyama Monkey Park

Fushimi Inari-taisha is the head shrine of the kami Inari

INSIDER TIPS: WHERETOGO

RISE AND SHINE While Kyoto was Japan’s capital from the 8th to the 19th century, the city has long been considered the cultural capital of the country. Today, Kyoto is home to 17 Unesco World Heritage sites that include a mix of Shinto shrines, castles, ancient temples and pagodas. Start your day at sunrise with a hike through the torii gates at Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine (inari.jp) — one of Kyoto’s most popular sites that’s best enjoyed without the crowds. From there, make your way to the Arashiyama area on the western outskirts of Kyoto, where the Bamboo Forest and Arashiyama Monkey Park (monkeypark.jp) are both popular spots to take a leisurely stroll. Consider a walk along the Philosopher’s Path or spend the afternoon in Gion, where narrow streets and traditional wooden houses all converge as geishas and maikos (geishas in waiting) click-clack their way around in wooden sandals called getas . WHENTOGO Early spring (mid-March to mid-April) marks one of the most magical (and busiest) times of year in Kyoto, as sakura

seekers eager to catch a glimpse of the ephemeral cherry blossom trees are in full e ff ect. Come July, the streets are packed with revelers for the annual Gion Matsuri festival, a monthlong celebration that sees parades and street parties in one of the largest and most popular festivals in Japan. In August, the hills of Kyoto are ablaze in honor of the annual Gozan Okuribi (known as Daimonji) ritual honoring the dead. The Kurama Fire Festival on October 22 every year in the mountains encircling the city is a spectacle to behold. GET OUT OF TOWN Just 45 minutes on the Kintetsu line from Kyoto Station, Nara is an easy day trip from Kyoto that is a must-do. Make your way towards Nara Park, where you’ll tourist-friendly) deer. Buy some tasty senbei crackers from one of the local purveyors and marvel as the deer politely bow for a treat. Don’t be surprised if one or two deer get a little ornery in the way of a gentle nudge if you don’t oblige with treats. It’s also home to one of the oldest and largest wooden encounter over 1,000 free-roaming (and very

temples in the world at T ō dai-ji temple complex, as well as one of Japan’s most ancient roads along the Yamanobe-no-michi trail. Amble past sacred shrines, stop by 200-year-old sake brewery Harushika (harushika.com) for a tasting, and slurp up hot or cold soba noodlesat Soba-dokoro Kitahara (soba-kitahara.com) . Be sure to call in to Nakatanidou (nakatanidou.jp) mochi shop for a sweet snack that’s perfect to take on the train ride back toKyoto. IF YOU DO ONE THING… Spend a leisurely morning snacking your way through Nishiki Market (kyoto-nishiki.or.jp) where hundreds of stalls sell everything from sea urchin and snow crab on a stick to sea snail soup and green tea ice cream. If you’re a chef, or just looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir, don’t leave without stopping by Aritsugu (aritsugu.co.jp) ,which has been in operation since 1560 and is home to a wide array of Japanese knives that are sharpened and engraved upon purchase. Just don’t forget to pack it in your checked luggage before heading home!

Photos NH/Shutterstock.com, brinlietravels/Shutterstock.com