Art student going to Kyoto
Jan 29th, 2006 | 07:25 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
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Art student going to Kyoto
First time traveling for 20 years. Going to spend 3 weeks in Japan based in Kyoto 22 march to 12 April. Can anyone recommend how best to spend my time and to get the most out of this trip. I would like to spend some time in a buddist temple if possible and to see as much as I possibly can without spoiling the experience. Many thanks
Jan 29th, 2006 | 08:13 AM
#2
Joined: Feb 2003
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There are a few temples in Kyoto where one can spend a night, or I suppose several nights. Most people seem to go to Koyasan though.
Several people on this forum rave about the art at the Miho museum (designed by I.M. Pei) just outside of Kyoto.
http://www.miho.or.jp/english/
You also be interested in doing a day trip or overnight to Benesse Art Institute on Naoshima Island in the Inland Sea (several ourdoor large scale art installations and a good central museum with several "outpost" indoor museums around the island). I really wanted to go there but they are closed for renovation the two weeks we are in the area in April. I think they might be open in March though. There are directions on getting there from Kyoto on their website.
http://www.naoshima-is.co.jp/english/first.html
We are going to the I. Noguchi Sculpture Garden and Museum in Takamatsu instead.
There is also the NAtional Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto and the Kyoto NAtional Museum.
Aside from the formal art spaces, there is so much art and culture everywhere around you in the temples and on the streets of Kyoto. you can just wander the different areas like Higashiyama and you will encounter much beauty. You are so fortunate to have 3 wks.
ASide from your interest in art, it is hard to help you with that amount of time without knowing what else you are interested in and want to do. You will have plenty of opportunities for art and craft hands-on expperiences in Kyoto. There are inexpensive workshops available on everything from fabric dyeing and fabric painting, doll making, jewelry making, paper making, ceramics, pottery, and even cooking. Are you interested in that? I can give you a great website that describes and gives info those.
Several people on this forum rave about the art at the Miho museum (designed by I.M. Pei) just outside of Kyoto.
http://www.miho.or.jp/english/
You also be interested in doing a day trip or overnight to Benesse Art Institute on Naoshima Island in the Inland Sea (several ourdoor large scale art installations and a good central museum with several "outpost" indoor museums around the island). I really wanted to go there but they are closed for renovation the two weeks we are in the area in April. I think they might be open in March though. There are directions on getting there from Kyoto on their website.
http://www.naoshima-is.co.jp/english/first.html
We are going to the I. Noguchi Sculpture Garden and Museum in Takamatsu instead.
There is also the NAtional Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto and the Kyoto NAtional Museum.
Aside from the formal art spaces, there is so much art and culture everywhere around you in the temples and on the streets of Kyoto. you can just wander the different areas like Higashiyama and you will encounter much beauty. You are so fortunate to have 3 wks.
ASide from your interest in art, it is hard to help you with that amount of time without knowing what else you are interested in and want to do. You will have plenty of opportunities for art and craft hands-on expperiences in Kyoto. There are inexpensive workshops available on everything from fabric dyeing and fabric painting, doll making, jewelry making, paper making, ceramics, pottery, and even cooking. Are you interested in that? I can give you a great website that describes and gives info those.
Jan 29th, 2006 | 08:29 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
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You don't mention hotels - but your dates are a prime time so I would recommend you booking asap. I will be there during that period and have had many hotels advise they are already booked particularly for the weekend days.
I will only be there for a week, but for day trips, I am also thinking of the Miho Museum, Nara and Himeji Castle - will not do all three, of course. In three weeks I would think you could do quite a bit, even further afield.
I will only be there for a week, but for day trips, I am also thinking of the Miho Museum, Nara and Himeji Castle - will not do all three, of course. In three weeks I would think you could do quite a bit, even further afield.
Feb 14th, 2006 | 05:15 AM
#4
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,267
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olivesnpasta, have you checked back on this post since you posted your question?
The Washington Post travel section did a big article on Sunday 2/12 on Naoshima Island and the Benesse Museum and art installtions there. You can access the article online at www.washingtonpost.com (requires free registration). But note that they did not mention that Benesse is closed for those two weeks in April. It does note that two new hotels are opening at Benesse towards end of May, for those who are interested in booking later. There is also access info in the article, and info on other less expensive places besides the Benesse hotels to stay (the article describes them as ryokans, but I have researched all the options in the article in the past and they looked more like minshuku than ryokans to me), getting around, dining, and what to do.
If you make it to Benesse, please post back here about it. I intend to go there next year.
The Washington Post travel section did a big article on Sunday 2/12 on Naoshima Island and the Benesse Museum and art installtions there. You can access the article online at www.washingtonpost.com (requires free registration). But note that they did not mention that Benesse is closed for those two weeks in April. It does note that two new hotels are opening at Benesse towards end of May, for those who are interested in booking later. There is also access info in the article, and info on other less expensive places besides the Benesse hotels to stay (the article describes them as ryokans, but I have researched all the options in the article in the past and they looked more like minshuku than ryokans to me), getting around, dining, and what to do.
If you make it to Benesse, please post back here about it. I intend to go there next year.
Feb 14th, 2006 | 07:03 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 574
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Bonjour olivenpasta,
March and April are good months to experience Kyoto since the weather is mild to warm, many temples and museums stage special exhibits, and you'll be just in time for the great antique market (March 31 - Apr 2).
See http://kyotojoho.co.jp/english/ for a planning of events.
A lot of info on everything, from shopping to accomodation is to be found here: http://raku.city.kyoto.jp/sight_e.phtml and here http://www.kyotoguide.com/index/index.html (get Kyoto visitor's guide in print once there, good maps, good infos).
As has been already pointed out, make hotels reservations as soon as possible for that period, especially for weekends. The Welcome Inns reservation center and tourism office (inside the station, 9th floor, south side of the dept store) will help you find whatever you're looking for, including accomodations and temple stays, for free. See their website at http://www.itcj.jp/
For exploring Kyoto, consider renting a bicycle, and don't hesitate to explore smaller streets and less well known areas between the main tourist spots, pleasant surprises in terms of architecture, art and crafts guaranteed.
March and April are good months to experience Kyoto since the weather is mild to warm, many temples and museums stage special exhibits, and you'll be just in time for the great antique market (March 31 - Apr 2).
See http://kyotojoho.co.jp/english/ for a planning of events.
A lot of info on everything, from shopping to accomodation is to be found here: http://raku.city.kyoto.jp/sight_e.phtml and here http://www.kyotoguide.com/index/index.html (get Kyoto visitor's guide in print once there, good maps, good infos).
As has been already pointed out, make hotels reservations as soon as possible for that period, especially for weekends. The Welcome Inns reservation center and tourism office (inside the station, 9th floor, south side of the dept store) will help you find whatever you're looking for, including accomodations and temple stays, for free. See their website at http://www.itcj.jp/
For exploring Kyoto, consider renting a bicycle, and don't hesitate to explore smaller streets and less well known areas between the main tourist spots, pleasant surprises in terms of architecture, art and crafts guaranteed.
