Kyoto, 29 Walks in Japan's Ancient Capital

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. To experience the essence of Kyoto, you must walk its avenues and its streets, its alleys and its byways. Only in this manner can you appreciate the true spirit of the place--its quiet lanes, its bustling main thoroughfares, and the juxtaposition of traditional and modern houses and shops, serene gardens, and holy temples and shrines. 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 garden of the Heian Shrine, but also little-known areas off the beaten path. Much more than a guidebook, this book 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 fascinate every reader.This updated, greatly expanded guide features over 100 color photos, full-color maps that trace each route, and detailed diagrams of many individual sites.John Martin was a professor of Chinese and Japanese history, religion, and culture at colleges in New York State. Dr. Martin and his wife, Phyllis Martin, served as directors of museums in New York. This edition, which grew out of their extensive travel and research in Japan, is an expanded and updated version of their prior work on Kyoto.