Walk Around Kyoto’s World Heritage Sites at Dawn On New Tourist Tour

03.February.2019 | SPOT

Central Japan Railway Company has been holding a tourist campaign called “Sou da Kyoto, Ikou” (That’s Right, Let’s Go to Kyoto) since 1993. As part of the campaign the company has announced a new theme titled “Haru wa Akebono” (Spring is All About Dawn) which invites people on a peaceful tour around Kyoto’s World Heritage Site in the early hours of the morning.

 

The tour offers people a chance to enjoy popular temples that are always packed with crowds during general opening hours. There are three Plans to choose from which give exclusive access to some of Kyoto’s historical landmarks.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Byodoin Temple

Repair work has been ongoing at Kiyomizu-dera Temple since 2008 to restore the temple monastery which was built at the time the temple was established. Byodoin Temple too underwent repairs which ended in 2014. This maintenance work saw retiling work of the main temple carried out as well as exterior decoration and more.

 

The tour offers a chance to walk around both of these historical locations where you will be able to enter places not open to the general public as well as admire the popular parts of the temple that bustle with visitors during the day. The temple monk will also recommend activities and experiences as well as talk about the “great repair of the Heisei era.”

 

Information

Departure Dates: February 10, 2019 / February 11, 2019 / March 3, 2019
Departure Time: 4:30AM (Meeting Time: 4:20AM)
Route: Kyoto Station→Kiyomizu-dera Temple→Byodoin Temple→Kyoto Station

Minimum No. Applications: 1 person

Price: ¥3,500 (Tax Included)

*Construction sites at the temple cannot be entered

 

Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Enjoy a tour of the temple guided by the temple monk, admire the West Gate during the dark and visit the Kyo-do Hall.
*The West Gate and Kyo-do Hall are normally restricted to the general public

 

Byodoin Temple
Visit the gardens and Hoshokan and talk to the head priest at a tea house.
*The tea house talk will be replace by a visit to the Kyo-do Hall on March 3.

 

Ryōan-ji Temple & Ninna-ji Temple

This plan puts you on a bus for a trip to Ryōan-ji Temple, which is famous internationally for its Japanese rock gardens, and Ninna-ji Temple which gave public access to its painting of the five great kings of wisdom for a limited time in autumn 2018.

 

Information

Departure Date: March 10, 2019

Departure Time: 7:20AM (Meeting Time: 7:10AM)
Route:  Kyoto Station→Ryōan-ji Temple→Ninna-ji Temple→Kyoto Station

Minimum No. Applications: 1 person

Price: ¥3,500 (Tax Included)

 

Ryōan-ji Temple
After witnessing the rock gardens visit the West garden and Buddhist temple, both of which are normally closed to the general public.

 

Ninna-ji Temple
Enjoy a special viewing of the painting of the five great kings of wisdom which was given limited-time public access for the first time in autumn 2018. Also see the scripture house which is normally closed to the general public.

 

Toji Temple

Enjoy day break as the sun rises in the early hours of the morning. When the temple grounds are dark it will be lit up as if it is night time.

 

Information:

Departure Dates: March 24, 2019 / March 30, 2019 / March 31, 2019
Departure Time: 5:50AM
Route: Make your own way there→Toji Temple→Make your own way back

Minimum No. Applications: 1 person

Price: ¥2,500 (Tax Included)

 

Toji Temple

From 7:00AM enjoy an early visit to the five-storied pagoda, main temple and auditorium. A separate application is required to visit.

 

 

These three plans offer privileged entry to some of Kyoto’s most important locations. If you’re looking to enjoy popular tourist sites without the tourists then be sure to consider this line-up.

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