Zently soothe the soul

Japan's premier tourist city does not disappoint. After two days in the country's second biggest city — the bustling Osaka — and more than six months of zero-respite from the constant construction, traffic and rent woes in Dubai, Kyoto's tranquillity quenches the soul.

People bike and stroll down the wide streets, and 'zen-ness' drapes itself around everything, like a cool green blanket.

And pardon me if I've got it wrong, but if you aren't allowed to say you feel zen when you are sitting outside a centuries-old temple nestled among verdant hills, with a stomach full of green tea, then when can you say it?

Pebble garden

The sight of the pebble garden at Kodaiji is mesmerising — a carpet of gravel painstakingly rustled by a rake into circular and linear patterns and punctuated by conical formations. A 100ft high stone Buddha watches over.

Kodaiji, which has a website maintained by the head priest, Goto Tensho, classifies as one of Kyoto's must-visit destinations. Located in the Higashiyama district of the city, the imposing temple was built in 1605 by Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a great Japanese statesman of the time.

The stone garden (karesansui dry garden) was originally designed as a pond garden. The stones are set in a semi-circle amidst grass and moss. A striking feature is its dry waterfall or ishigumi. We visited the temple to take part in a tea ceremony, which consists of small movements and rituals that take years to master.

Conducting tea ceremonies has become a popular hobby among the Japanese, with many taking lessons from 'tea masters' in a bid to stay in touch with their ancient culture.

Ritual sipping

Guests watch in silence as the tea master prepares the tea and then has his/her helper distribute the brew. A small cake, provided to alleviate the bitterness of the matcha green tea is not very effective, but the drink, which has a higher caffeine content than coffee, certainly eases jetlag.

We head to Golden Pavilion. This shrine, tucked away among lush green hills, is awe-inspiring. The effect of the pavilion, dazzlingly bedecked with real gold, is doubled by the shining structure's reflection in the mirror pond (kyouko-chi).

The water body design resembles the image of the Seven Treasure Pond in scenes of the Buddhist paradise. Carp float lazily in the still waters between the several islands, which represent the eight oceans and nine mountains of the Buddhist creation story.

Returned to glory

Like many structures in Kyoto, the Golden Pavilion has been completely rebuilt after it was first erected in 1337 as the residence of a retired Shogun, AshikagaYoshimitsu.

It had survived centuries of earthquakes, fires and wars only to be burnt down by an angry young student in the 1950s. A 21-year-old monk, a student of Otani University, crept into the complex at dawn and set fire to the Zen temple. He was arrested before achieving his aim of dying in the blaze.

It was reported that the young man had burnt the temple down because he was filled with self-loathing, and hatred for everything that was beautiful. The re-building was completed in 1955.

The Golden Pavilion has three floors and stands 12.8m high, 10m wide and 15.2m long. Although each of the floors is designed in a different style, they blend beautifully.

Make a wish

Though the complex is small, there are many things worth seeing. An hour and a half is more than enough to view everything. Of special interest are statues of a group of Buddhas gathered around a small bowl. The bowl overflows with coins. Hopeful tourists and Japanese visitors throw more coins into the bowl. Legend has it that if your coin lands in the bowl, your wish comes true.

I was the only one in our group of 20 to manage that feat. Let's just hope Buddha accepts dirhams!

Things in Japan look familiar. The clean lines of Japanese architecture have inspired structural designs in restaurants in Middle Eastern malls and Californian condos alike. I couldn't help but wonder how much Japan reminded me of Dubai. Of course, this was the real thing.

One day in Kyoto is not enough. There is, literally, so much to see. Do give yourself a week to enjoy its sights and sounds at leisure.

Go there...Kyoto

From the UAE
Osaka is one of the nearest international airport to Kyoto.

Emirates flies daily to Osaka from Dubai.

Cathay Pacific flies via Hong Kong to Osaka from Dubai.

Singapore Airlines flies via Singapore to Osaka from Abu Dhabi.

How much
Emirates fare: Starts from Dh3,100 exclusive of taxes.

Cathay Pacific fare: Starts from Dh3,200 exclusive of taxes.

Singapore Airlines fare: Starts from Dh3,100 excluive of taxes.
— Information courtesy Al Naboodah Travel & Tourism Agency