Temples and Shinto shrines in Kyoto

 There are about 800 officially registered temples and 1,700 shrines in Kyoto. Let me answer the question, you might have, about the difference between temples and shrines.

Shrines are associated with the religion of Shintoism, which has existed in Japan since ancient times. Shinto is a polytheistic religion based on the worship of nature and ancestors. Shrine is a place to enshrine a deity and plays a role in promoting interaction with the deity.

Temples, on the other hand, are based on Buddhism, which came from the Korean Peninsula around the 6th century. Buddhism is a philosophical and religious system that aims for enlightenment. Temple is a place to enshrine Buddha images, learn Buddhist teachings, and conduct practice.

Then, I show you how to visit the shrine

 * Take a bow before passing through the torii gate.

 (The torii gate is a vermilion gate that indicates that it is a sacred place where the gods reside from here on. It is considered as the boundary between the mundane and the divine.)

 * Wash your hand at the water fountain. Do not drink !

 * Proceed to the worship hall through the approach.

 * Insert money

 * Bow deeply twice.

 * Double clap: Place your right hand lightly on your left hand, then raise your hands to chest level and strike twice.

 * Pray

 * Bow deeply once.

 * Leave the worship hall

How to pray at the temple

 * Bow in front of the mountain gate

 * Wash your hand at the water fountain. Do not drink !

 * Head to the main hall

 * Put the money in the gift box

 * Bow once (No hand clapping here !)

 * Pray

 * Bow again

 In both cases, when we pray, we make a request in our hearts, and we should not ask our personal wishes. It's important that it be relevant to everyone. For example, may the world be peaceful.

Transportation - Bicycle

 It is also recommended to go around Kyoto slowly by bicycle. However, it is better to avoid summer and winter. The heat and cold of Kyoto cannot be underestimated.

The sound of "at twee" means hot, "some it" means cold. People in Kyoto often say it twice. "At twee, at twee" express that it is very hot, and when it's cold, "Some it, some it".

Now, let's ride a bicycle and visit temples and shrines in the pleasant season of spring and autumn. Recently, there is also a rental service for electrically power assisted bicycles, so the climb is easy.

With a sharing service, you can rent it at a convenient place and return it at a convenient place, at any time. Especially in CLEW(Rental bicycle service company), there are 250 ports and 800 bicycles, which is indispensable for sightseeing in Kyoto. Since it is electrically assisted, slopes are not a problem.

However, just because you ride a bicycle does not mean that you can ride it on any road you like and park it wherever you want.

The first path you can ride is the bicycle path displayed on the left side of the roadway as above, and if there is a sign on the sidewalk that allows bicycles as below, you can ride on the sidewalk.

 However, even in that case, pedestrians have priority. In addition, when parking, it is prohibited on the street, and it must be a bicycle parking lot. And when riding a bicycle at night, you are required to turn on the lights. Don't forget. Even though you don't need a license, be sure to follow the rules. 

Transportation - Taxi

 Surely, city buses are convenient, but taxis are a great way to get around when you have a lot of luggage, when you're tired of walking, or when you can't wait anymore. 

 Now, to take a taxi, you can find a taxi rank near a train station, temple, or shrine. Also, if an empty taxi is running around the city, raise your hand to stop it. If you have a lot of luggage, ask the driver to open the trunk in the back. If you tell him "Big bag!" showing your bag, he will notice and open the trunk. Now, once you've boarded, you have to tell him where you're going. However, I don't recommend showing the map on a smartphone. Many of the drivers are elderly, and they can't see small map. Therefore it's a good idea to have a notebook and a magic pen ready. If you want to get off before you reach the destination, and to tell him to stop, please say "Cocoa day stop, please". "Cocoa" means “here”, and "day" means “at”. You can also say "Cocoa day OK".

 Though Kyoto is a world-class tourist destination, unfortunately there are not many cashless taxis. Make sure you have cash on hand. Luckily the taxi meter in Kyoto is displayed in units of 100 yen, so there is no need for fine coins. It is recommended to always have a number of 1,000 yen bills and 100 yen coins. No tipping required. You only need to pay the amount indicated on the meter. There are occasions when you get out of a taxi and want the driver to wait for you. In such a case, say ”Cocoa day mat eight eight, please". This does not mean 8 minutes. Japanese sound "mat eight eight" asks some to wait.  Similar sound is “mat tea tea”. This is also OK. Of course, you must pay a waiting fee, be careful.

Finally, if you want to thank the driver, you can use "Thank you". But if you want to communicate in Japanese, it is "Door more early gut all". ="Thank you very much".

Transportation - Subway

 Well, the next means of transportation is the subway. Kyoto's subway lines are cross-shaped. It is a line that connects directly north of Kyoto Station to the International Conference Center, and a line that extends east and west from Karasuma Oike station.

In order to get on the subway, you need to buy a ticket. A large route map is posted above the ticket vending machine at the station, and the fare from the current location to the destination station is displayed. Check it and buy a ticket at the ticket machine. Credit cards are not accepted. After buying a ticket, insert it at the ticket gate. It will come out soon, so don't forget to take it. When you arrive at the desired station, insert the ticket again at the ticket gate. It will not come out this time, so please do not make a mistake. After all, it is very convenient to have the ICOCA introduced earlier. You don't need to buy a ticket, just hold up your ICOCA at the ticket gate. There are many subway trains, and you will not have to wait more than 10 minutes. In addition, it is not affected by traffic jams like buses and taxis. In addition, there is a display on the platform that shows how close the next train is to you, so you will be less stressed. In the past, there was only one line from north to south, the Karasuma Line, but now there is an East-west line that changes at Karasuma Oike, making it much more convenient to travel around Kyoto City. If you set a sightseeing course that uses the subway many times, your time performance will improve. At that time, you can make good use of the one-day ticket, if you have. The subway seats are soft and comfortable to sit on. Be careful not to doze off and oversleep.

Transportation - Friendly bus stop

 There are about 700 bus stops in Kyoto city as of 2019. As for the number of buses, there are about 800 buses, all of which are idling stop functioned vehicles. (2023) If you know this, there is no reason not to use the bus. Also, the current stop is very friendly.

 In addition to timetables and the main stops on the route, there are also useful features that indicate that a bus is approaching. If you know when the bus is coming, it will make a big difference in your mood. In addition, the bus you want to take may be super full, but if you know that a bus with the same number will come right after, you can pass that bus comfortably.

Many bus stops have roofs to keep out rain and sun. There are also benches at some stops. You can feel the consideration of that "the city did everything it could for tourists from the world." Instead of waiting for the bus with frustration, let's travel with a "relaxed mind" and an open mind!

Transportation - Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass

 ICOCA can be used not only in Kyoto but also everywhere, and can be used not only for transportation but also for all kinds of shopping and dining.

On the other hand, if limited to Kyoto alone, and only the subway or bus, there is even more convenient ticket. It's Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass.

 You can ride the subway or bus as many times as you like on the day you buy it. The price is 1,100 yen for adults and 550 yen for children, and you can buy it at the bus information desk or at the subway station window. Vending machine for it is also available.

You can buy it even from the driver on the bus. In this case, be careful because it may be sold out.

Only when you get on the bus for the first time with this ticket, insert the 1-day pass into the card slot in the fare box. The date is printed on the back. From the second ride, please show the driver the date printed on the back. Inserting is not needed.

When getting on and off the subway, please pass your 1-day ticket through the outlet of the automatic ticket gate. Only the first ride, date will be printed on it. From the next time onwards, it is OK if you put it in the ticket gate normally. Don't forget to take the 1-day pass that comes out.

It is a must-use on the day when you want to visit many places in Kyoto.

In addition, if you have this ticket, you can receive various special benefits at shrines and temples, cultural facilities, restaurants, baggage storage, etc. For example, the entrance fee to Nijo Castle is discounted by 100 yen.

Transportation - ICOCA card - "Kyoto ICOCA?" means ...

  With ICOCA card, you don't have to prepare the fare every time you use the bus, subway, or JR train. Simply tap your card on the reader when you exit a city bus, or hold it over the ticket gate when boarding the subway or JR trains. While you can't check your balance on the bus, rest assured that the balance will be displayed at the ticket gate for subways and JR. For added convenience, there's a smartphone app available that allows you to check the balance of any IC card, making it a must-have for your travels.

 You can easily purchase an ICOCA card at vending machines located in JR stations. If you're getting an ICOCA card for a child, just remember to bring their passport to the counter. For adults, the card costs 2,000 yen, with a 500 yen refund available upon return, meaning you'll start with a balance of 1,500 yen. You can return the card at vending machines or even at Tokyo Station, regardless of where you purchased it.

Please note that purchases and recharges can only be made with cash—credit cards are not accepted. You can conveniently recharge your ICOCA card at vending machines in subway stations or JR lines.

Fun fact: the name "ICOCA" translates to "Shall we go?" in Japanese. So, when you say "Kyoto ICOCA?", you're essentially asking, "Shall we go to Kyoto?" Give it a try!