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September 29, 2009
Go to Kyoto / いざ、京都へ。 [Journey]
ようやく取れた遅い夏休みを利用して、先週京都へ行ってきました。
I went to Kyoto just last week to use my late summer vacation.
Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺
かれこれ15年以上も訪れていなかった京都。新しい京都駅（1997年竣工）や東京と少し違った人の往来の多さに、ただただ目を丸くするばかり…。ともあれ、今回の旅は、新しい創作テーマに関する取材も兼ねた大人の修学旅行。神社仏閣、庭の見学を中心にざっくりと日本の歴史の一部を肌で感じてきました。
I haven't been to Kyoto for more than 15 years. When I arrived at the Kyoto station, I opened my eyes wide with in wonder because of new Kyoto station (completion in 1997) and a lot of traffic which was a little different from Tokyo. Anyway, this trip was partly research for new theme of my creation and partly for pleasure. That is, so to speak, a school excursion for adult. I focused on seeing gardens, temples, and shrines, and I really felt a part of Japanese history.
今回の旅でとても役に立ったのが、友人がすすめてくれたガイド本"Lonely Planet (ロンリープラネット)"の"Kyoto"ヴァージョン。外国の方が執筆しているにも拘らず、痒い所に手が届くような情報満載で、これから京都を旅する方にはオススメの1冊かもしれません。（但し、日本語版がまだ出ていないのが残念なのですが…。）
By the way, the "Kyoto City Guide" of "Lonely Planet" which was recommended by one of my friends was very useful guidebook. Although it was written by foreigner, there are a lot of useful information that I would like to recommend for someone who will go on a trip to Kyoto from now. (Unfortunately, they don't publish Japanese version yet...)
