Kyoto – Japan ( kyo-oh-to )

1. Kyoto – Japan(kyo-oh-to) Ashley Noto: Cool & Educational Stuff Reed Kuhn: Relevant Stuff Kyoto Station Cherry Blossoms

2. Kyoto: Agenda • History • Fun Facts • Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts • Economy and Currency • Transportation • Kyoto Cuisine • Kyoto Hot Spots • Itinerary

3. History of the City • 800 A.D. to 1185: Heian Period • Heian-Kyo: Peace and Tranquility • Arts, education, and Buddhism • 12th Century to 1868: Samurai (Shogunate) Ruling • Kamakura Period (1185-1333) – National capital moves to Kamakura • 1336: National Capital moves back to Kyoto. Despite Civil Wars, Kyoto flourished in the arts and Zen Buddhism • Edo Period (1600-1868) – National capital moves to Edo (Tokyo). • 1868 to the Present: Imperial Rule established and Tokyo is officially named Japan’s capital.

4. Fun Facts about Kyoto • Hot Bed of Culture • The only major Japanese city spared from the bombs of World War II • 1,700 Buddhist temples and 300 Shinto shrines. • Home to 20% of Japan's national treasures. • Weather • Average temperature: 60 - 70 degrees F • Average precipitation: 5.7 inches • Population: 1.5 million people • Local Industries • Tourism • Traditional Japanese Crafts • Electronics (Nintendo, OMRON)

5. Nikkei Index – Past 6 mo. Economy & Currency • Local Economy • Strong growth over recent years • Recent downturn mirrors US • Relations with China – 30 year low • Anti-Japan protests could decrease business in China • Japanese Yen (¥) • Currently, $1 = ¥107.50 • US dollar strengthening since January vs. Yen US Dollar vs. Japan Yen (1yr)

6. Transportation Shinkansen Arrival on Saturday May 21st • By Shinkansen (high-speed train) at 12:40 PM Local Transportation • Subway system: pervasive, near hotel • Bus system: 220 ¥ per trip, or 500 ¥ day-pass • Taxis: common, but expensive Departure (for Home!) on Sunday, May 22nd • Fly from Kansai International Airport (KIX) • 72 minutes from Kyoto by train • Airport built on artificial island • Top 10 Civil Engineering Monuments of the Millennium (survived earthquakes & typhoons) • 5:55 PM flight leaves for home KIX Airport Island

7. Do’s and Don’ts in Kyoto Public Places: • It is considered rude to blow your nose in public places - wait until you can find a restroom. • Carry a travel pack of tissues - public toilets don't always provide toilet paper. Eating: • Eating while walking along the street is frowned upon by older Japanese people but the younger generation can often be seen doing this. • Avoid eating on public transportation (Unless on a long journey where food is served). Shoes & Clothing: • Shoes are considered unclean and should be removed before entering most private indoor areas such as Japanese-style restaurants and accommodation, private homes, shrines and temples. Whenever there is a step up onto polished wooden floors or 'tatami' (straw mats) you should take off your shoes. • Special slippers are offered when using the toilet facilities. Be sure to remove these slippers before returning to the common area. • Women should avoid wearing overly revealing clothing, particularly when visiting shrines & temples. Dining: • When you are required to sit on the floor, either tuck your legs underneath you or sit cross-legged. It is inappropriate to stretch your legs out in front of you. • Do not place your chopsticks upright in the middle of your rice or pass food from your chopsticks to someone else’s plate. • Do not mix your food or pour soy sauce all over your meal, especially the rice. • It is impolite to fill your own glass – fill the glass of the person next to you and wait until they reciprocate. Filling your own glass admits to everyone at the table that you are an alcoholic. • There is no custom of tipping in Japan. Instead, establishments such as restaurants, bars, and hotels will sometimes add a 10% service charge to your bill.

8. Kyoto Cuisine • Kyo-ryori: linked to Kyoto's long history and to seasonal foods produced in the surrounding region. • Shojin-ryori: vegetarian dishes created for Zen Buddhist priests and pilgrims making the rounds of Kyoto's many temples. • tofu simmered in a pot at your table (yudofu) • filmy sheets of soy milk curd (yuba) • local vegetables. • Own style of kaiseki (Kyo-kaiseki): • Originally conceived as a meal to be taken before the tea ceremony. • Eventually became an elaborate feast enjoyed by the capital's nobility with its blend of ceremonial court cuisine, Zen vegetarian food, and simple tea-ceremony dishes. • Obanzai: home-style Kyoto cooking using traditional seasonal ingredients. • Tip: Any restaurant advertising that it serves Kyo-ryori generally offers a variety of Kyoto specialties.

9. Kyoto Hot Spots • Other Attractions: • Nijo Castle (Nijojo): Built by the first Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu, in 1603. • Includes 33 rooms, approximately 800 tatami mats, and nightingale floors that creak to protect the shogun from real or imagined enemies • Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts: • Displays and videos demonstrate the production of crafts ranging from stone lanterns and fishing rods to textiles, paper fans, umbrellas, boxwood combs, lacquerware, Buddhist altars, and Noh masks. • Shopping: • Specialty shops in central Kyoto at the intersection of Shijo Dori and Kawaramachi Dori. • Make sure to purchase: dolls, lacquerware, fans, ceramics, Japanese tea, knives, and cooking utensils. • Nightlife: • Rooftop beer gardens • A-Bar – cheap student Japanese pub • Pig & Whistle – most popular “gaijin” bar • Karaoke! at Jumbo Karaoke Hiroba (same building as Pig & Whistle)

10. Reed Bar: “World Famous Spirits” ItinerarySaturday, May 21st - Arrival • 10:06 AM Depart from Tokyo on train • 12:40 PM Arrive in Kyoto • New Hankyu Kyoto:

11. Itinerary (con’t.)Saturday, May 21st - Afternoon Tour & Temple Visits • Kinkakuji • Golden Pavilion • Zen Temple • Built ~1400 AD • Kiyomizudera • “Pure Water Temple” • Built 780 AD Kinkakuji Kiyomizudera – Main Hall

12. Itinerary (con’t.)Saturday, May 21st - Evening Final Group Dinner at Ganko Takasegawa Nijoen Night: Go out, it’s Saturday Night! (Red Bull pending) Final Group Dinner Restaurant: Ganko Takasegawa Nijoen http://www.gnavi.co.jp/kansai/en/k026603h.htm