Kyoto: 29 Walks in Japan's Ancient Capital

by John H. Martin, Phyllis G. Martin

Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital and modern-day center of tourism and traditional culture, is one of the world's most beautiful and historic cities. Founded nearly 1,300 years ago and undamaged by the war, Kyoto today is the home of over 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, countless national treasures and 17 World Heritage sites, including the famed Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple.

This book presents 29 easy-to-follow walking tours through Kyoto's history, its many unique districts and scenic areas full of charm and character. You'll discover not only the most renowned sites, such as the Silver Pavilion, the rock garden at Ryoan-ji Temple and the garden of the Heian Shrine, but also little-known areas off the beaten track.

Much more than a guidebook, this volume tells the historical and cultural story of Kyoto's great monuments. The colorful tales, fascinating facts, larger-than-life characters and grand events that shaped the city and Japan at large will enthrall every reader. This updated and greatly expanded guide features over 100 color photos, full-color maps that trace each route and detailed diagrams of many individual sites.

Genres: Travel

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2010

Reviews

[Rowdy Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year, I went to Kyoto for the first time. I stayed for two weeks and was very happy that I bought and read this book on walks in Kyoto. It was extremely helpful and I referred to it while in Japan. Excellent for the first time and will be taking it with me again, should I return, which I hope will be soon.

[Kasey Mazak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d pick the following walk out of all the ones suggested in this volume should time allows for only one – I’d love to walk there in the autumn and again in the early spring:

“THE PHILOSOPHER’S PATH

Back on the extension of Imadegawa-dori from which you entered the Silver Pavilion grounds, walk to the canal that passes under the street. Take the Philosopher’s Path, which runs along the far (western) side of the canal, to the left (south). Away from the bustle of the city streets you can follow the narrow canal past interesting homes, shops and an occasional small restaurant. Quiet hillside temples offer a separate attraction of a pleasant nature, one of the most interesting being that of the Honen-in Temple.

The Philosopher’s Path is so-named since it was once the locale of the daily walk of Kitaro Nishida, a Japanese philosopher (1870-1943). It runs along a canal from near the Ginkaku-ji for 1.3 miles (2.3 km) south toward the Zenrin-ji/Eikan-do Temple and thereafter along a city street to the Nanzen-ji Temple. The canal and its adjacent path are embowered with cherry blossoms in the early spring, and in the autumn the brilliant reds and the vibrant yellows of the leaves of its various trees turn the area into a palette richer than that of any artist.”

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read some shamefully bad walking guides before (especially on e-readers, where it's harder to tell that the document is really just someone cribbing, badly, off Wikipedia to make a buck), so it's such a relief to have something this good at hand.

This wonderful book is (a) jam-packed with tours, and (b) chock-full of information about the places you visit. There's a lot of history, a lot of culture, a lot of explanation about what is (to me) a very different culture. And some beautiful illustrations to give you a sense of what you might be seeing.

I'll be in Kyoto next year, and he's made me even more excited about attending. It's one thing to see something in person--it can seem beautiful, or unusual, or nondescript--but with Martin in hand, everything I see will be interesting and rich with history. Thank you, Sir!

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!

[Ietrio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably one way to scam a city guide out of his or her money with minimal investment.

[Brent White]

So very helpful during our trip to Kyoto.
Will use it on our next adventure there.

[Mark Darrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyoto: 29 Walks in Japan's Ancient Capital should not be mistaken as a "map" book. This guide directs travelers to fascinating sites and provides maps, of course, and suggestions. Its real value, though, is as an in-depth reference.

To first time visitors, Kyoto appears inaccessible and hopelessly complex. This fine book lets Kyoto's mystery and history shine forth like a brilliant jewel.

[Patrick Lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good reference book and guide and is not something just read once, but multiple times over the years.
Best guide book on Kyoto that makes the more popular guide books unnecessary and, I might add, a waste of paper!

[Cloay]

- available in SG NLB 915.2186404 (Sengkang)