EY Y04 L17 Kyoto

  1. Tell us about the last time you went to Kyoto. What did you do?
  2. Was it good? Why?
  3. There are many famous landmarks and tourist attractions in Kyoto city. Name one. Tell us a little about it.
  4. Who is this landmarks or attraction popular with? Why?
  5. Tell us about an annual event that you can see or participate in while visiting Kyoto. Have you ever attended? If yes, how was it? Why? If no, would you like to attend? Why or why not?
  6. Kyoto and Osaka are the most famous cities in Kansai. Tell us about how they are different.

Question 1

I went to Kyoto last February. It was my first trip to Kyoto and we visited several sites such as Arashiyama bamboo forest, Kinkakuji temple, and Kiyomizu-dera temple.

Question 2

I've only seen these buildings in my architecture books before. I was amazed at how well-preserved the building features are. Sadly, it was raining the whole day during our trip so it was a little inconvenient to use our umbrellas while going around.

Question 3

Kinkakuji temple’s official name is Rokuon-ji but because of its golden facade it is more commonly as "The Golden Temple". It was the site of the villa of aristocrats Saionji Kintsune, known as Kitayamadai. Since then, many clans have been taking care of it and it has become one of the must-see destinations when you visit Kyoto.

Question 4

Kinkakuji is a designated World Heritage site. It is the focal point of a large estate with a lush landscape. In the past, this is where important guests were brought. They would have a tea ceremony while overlooking a picturesque view of the pond.

Question 5

I would like to visit Kyoto again and witness the Arashiyama Hanatoro in December. I've read that they place thousands of lanterns along Arashiyama Bamboo grove and you can also see some flower arrangements "ikebana" at night.

Question 6

In terms of comparing the built environment of Kyoto and Osaka, Kyoto has strict building design regulations. Thus, whenever a new building is proposed it has to go through a rigorous process. They have to follow building height limits and they need to incorporate certain materials into their design. They strongly put emphasis on adapting to the site context and making sure that the new building blends in with existing buildings, especially the traditional ones. Osaka's built environment on the other hand embraces eccentricity and you'll notice that buildings do not conform to a certain design style.

Tough Vocabulary