ACCOMPANYING PERSON'S PROGRAM
These toures are for accompaning persons only.
AP-1 KYOTO FULL DAY
Date: September 2 (Tue.) 08:30 〜 16:30
Fare: Included in the accompanying person's fee. (lunch included) Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
08:25 Be ready for departure in the lobby of Kyoto International Conference Hall.
08:30 Leave there by motor coach.
Ryoanji Temple
It was founded in 1450 by Hosokawa Katsumoto, a senior statesman of the Ashikaga Shogunate, whose tomb is on the temple grounds. The temple is famous for its rock garden, which consists only of stones and sand. It is regarded as a masterpiece by Soami, a master artist, who was greatly influenced by Zen philosophy. Its utter simplicity might be difficult for the uninitiated to appreciate, but what appears to be nothing more than a flat space strewn with white sand and scattered with 15 oddly shaped stones somehow contains a stark beauty felt through the heart.
Golden Pavilion
A famous Muromachi-period (1336-1573) structure, it was originally designed to serve as the villa of a Court noble named Saionji Kintsune. Visitors here first come to Chumon Gate. After passing along a path shaded by numerous tall pine and maple trees, they will come upon the garden. Beyond the pond rises the three-story Gold Pavilion topped by a bronze phoenix. The walls of the pavilion are completely covered with gold leaf. To the right of the path along the pond is the Main Hall. It houses the three Buddhist divinities of Kannon, Benten and Taishakuten as well as images of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Muso-Kokushi (a distinguished Zen priest). The small court contains a 500-year-old pine tree shaped like a sailing ship.
Arashiyama (Lunch)
The beauty of the place lies in the varied vegetation on the hillside facing the river. Large pines are interspersed with innumerable cherry and maple trees, adding a colorful beauty to the scene. The cherry trees were transplanted from Yoshino in the latter part of the 13th century by order of ex-Emperor Kameyama, who at that time resided in the villa that is now the site of Rinsenji Temple near the bridge. Crossing the bridge and climbing the hill, the visitor will arrive at Daihikaku, or Senkoji Temple, located picturesquely near the top. It contains an image of Senju-Kannon (Thousand- Handed Kannon) and a wooden statue of Suminokura Ryoi, a famous engineer who made the Oi River navigatable as far as Tamba Province in 1606 by removing the rocks in the narrow gorge.
Tenryuji Temple
This is the headquarters of the Tenryuji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It was founded in memory of Emperor Godaigo in 1339 by the first Ashikaga Shogun, Takauji. The famous priest Soseki, also known as Muso-Kokushi, was the first superior. The temple was repeatedly ravaged by fires, and the present buildings date back about a hundred years. The Main Hall, called tahoden and situated in the center of the grounds, contains a memorial tablet of Emperor Godaigo. In the Lecture Hall to the right of the Main Hall are statues of Sakyamuni, Monju and Fugen Bodhisattvas. A noted landscape garden designed by Muso-Kokushi is located at the rear of the abbot's quarters.
AP-2 KYO-YUZEN AND KIMONO SHOW
Date: September 3 (Wed) 09:00 〜 12:30
Fare: Included in the accompanying person's fee.
Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
08:55 Be ready for departure in the lobby of Kyoto International Conference Hall.
09:00 Leave there by motor coach.
Kyo-Yuzen Center
The Kyo-Yuzen process, devised about 300 years ago, is a special technique for dying clothes beautifully. Yuzen (printed silk) is representative of Japanese dyed goods. The numerous displays and demonstrations at the center show Yuzen excellence to the fullest. Enjoy dyeing your own handkerchief, too.
Nishijin Textile Center - Kimono Show
The Nishijin district is world-famous for its traditional silk weaving. Products known as Nishijin-ori are among Japan's highest grade textiles. Not only the kimono but also neckties, dresses and other goods are made of Nishijin-ori. Enjoy a kimono fashion show, a demonstration of weaving and displays of Nishijin silk fabrics. A few who wish can try on a fashionable kimono, with professional assistance, and have a photo taken.
