NISHIYAMA RYOKAN

Do you drink green tea? We do drink green tea a lot especially in winter. During supper, after that and during a break... It's been getting more and more popular recently in even foreign countries where people don't use to drink it. Maybe people who adore Japanese food drink it more often. Japanese food is well know it's very healthy and very popular all over the world. But I wonder how many people know amazing benefits of green tea? Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols. It makes green tea taste bitter and has lots of great benefits. It reduces the risk of serious disease such as cancer, heart attack, high blood pressure and diabetes etc... The other side, it effective in weight loss, skin care and mouthwash. I cannot wirte all of details because it's gonna be too long to read. NISHIYAMA RYOKAN　offer complimentary green tea in every room. Some guests asked us if they could get the same green tea we offer. So we began to sell green tea tea back for them to meet its ...

I've introduced 2 courses and this is the last one. The last one is Northern part of Kyoto including Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). Kinkakuji is the most famous and popular place. Almost all guests staying here ask us "how to get to Kinkakuji?" From NISHIYAMA RYOKAN, take Kyoto City Bus #59 or #205. It takes about 30 min. to Kinkakuji. There are two stops which are Kinkakuji-michi and Kikakuji-mae. Please get off at Kinkakuji-michi. It was a sunny day, so reflection in the pond made the temple itself more beautifu! Kinkakuji in snowy day is also something. There is another famous temple in this vicinity called Ryuanji. This temple is famous of zen garden. It takes 15min. on foot. If you have one day bus pass, you can also take a bus #59. The garden consits of white stones and 15 rocks. It is quite simple but makes people looking at it feel something. This temple is recorded the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about Ryoanji more through the website below. They have a beaut...

Tea ceremont was held on February 14th. I also joined for the first time. It was great! The teacher spoke English very well and she explained about what green tea made from, what green tea is and how to make green tea. The guests could try to make green tea and of course taste it with sweets. We would like more guests to join this fabulous tea ceremony! We still plan to hold it following dates: Feb/21 (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 Feb/28 (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 Mar/7 (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 Mar/15 (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 Mar/21 (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 Mar/28 (Sat.) 19:00-20:00

This time, I would like to introduce Southern part of Kyoto. First destination is Toji temple which is very famous as a symbol of Kyoto. To go there, take Kyoto city bus #202 from Saibansyo mae which is infront of Kyoto imperial palace. It takes about 30 minutes. Toji literally means East temple. There use to be a capital city around there and a big gate in this place. Toji was built east side of the gate to protect the city from attack. There used to be West temple as well, but unfortunetely it doesn't exsit anymore. A fire broke out 4 times and Toji was rebuilt 5 times. Interestingly a sprinkler is equipped in it! Then, let's go to Tofukuji temple. Catch Kyoto city bus #202 again from Toji untill Tofukuji. It takes about 20 min. from Toji. Tofukuji is the most popular place during the Autumn because of red maples. http://nishiyamahotel.blogspot.com/2008/11/colored-maple-leaves.html In this season, it is very quiet and there are only a few people... If you would like to take g...

There are many places to visit in Kyoto. It takes probably few days to see all Kyoto. For people who don't have enough time or have no idea where to go I would like to introduce some half day courses. This course is Western part of Kyoto. Let's start from Nanzenji temple. It takes 15min. by bus from NISHIYAMA RYOKAN. Subway is also convenient from Kyoto shiyakusyo mae st. (Kyoto city hall). This temple is famous of a biwa lake cannal. It used to provide water for public and a hydroelectric power from biwa lake in Shiga prefecture next to Kyoto. It was built more than 100 years ago. It isn't used anymore, but Kyoto city preserve as a historical site. Then, let's move to Eikando which is just 7 min. walk from Nanzenji. Eikando is said to be Momiji no Eikando which means Eikando of Japanese maple. Literally red maples are very beautiful during the autumn. This small pond is also in Eikando temple. It is interesting that there is a kindergarten next to the temple. If you ...

Tea ceremony is going to be held soon. Place: NISHIYAMA RYOKAN Lobby Charge: Free Date: February 14th (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 February 21th (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 February 28th (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 March 7th (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 March 14th (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 March 21th (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 March 28th (Sat.) 19:00-20:00 We invite the teacher and offer you authentic rich green tea. If you are planning to visit Kyoto, please feel free to join us. Reservation for tea ceremony is NOT required. We look forward to meeting you at the lobby!