Sebastien Lechevalier
Seasoned SASE Japan scholar and SASE/Kyoto Program Co-Director Sébastien Lechevalier has put together a great list of things to do in Kyoto which we share with you ahead of the conference. Some of these places are exquisite!
Besides his hard work for SASE, Sébastien is Associate Professor at Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS, Paris). His research interests are inequalities, institutional change, and industrial economics, with a particular focus on Japan – which has led to him being appointed president of the Fondation France-Japon de l’EHESS (an organization that, among other things, provides travel grants to SASE authors in Network Q: Asian Capitalisms and to SASE authors writing on Asia).
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
Kinkakuji is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf....
Philosopher’s Path
The Philosopher's Path is a pleasant stone path along a canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees....
Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
Ginkakuji consists of the Silver Pavilion, half a dozen other temple buildings, a beautiful moss garden and a unique dry sand garden....
Kiyomizudera Temple
On the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, Kiyomizudera is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan....
Pontocho
Pontocho is one of Kyoto's most atmospheric dining areas....
Nishiki Market
Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related....
Nanzenji Temple
Nanzenji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan....
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park, an attractive park in the center of the city that also encompasses the Sento Imperial Palace and a few other attractions....
Daitokuji Temple
Daitokuji is the head temple of the Rinzai sect's Daitokuji school of Japanese Zen Buddhism....
Kurama
Kurama is best known for its temple Kurama-dera and its hot spring....
Ryoanji Temple
Ryoanji Temple is the site of Japan's most famous rock garden....
Arashiyama and Sagano
Arashiyama is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto....
Kokedera (Moss Temple)
Entrance to this temple requires a reservation made well in advance by email....
Katsura Imperial Villa
Katsura Imperial Villa is one of the finest examples of Japanese architecture and garden design....
Kitaoji Otagi Restaurant
Ceramics made by potters selected by the owners are an additional highlight at this restaurant...
Rohan Restaurant
Casual restaurant with first-rate food...
Shiruko Restaurant
Famed for its miso soup, all seats in this restaurant face a Noh stage...
Tokasaikan Restaurant
Chinese food on the water, with the oldest elevator in Japan...
Godan Miyazawa Restaurant
Very small and intimate restaurant (8 seats in all!)...
Nakazen Restaurant
A traditional Kyoto-style kaiseki restaurant with a focus on seasonal ingredients...
Saami Restaurant
Enjoy traditional dishes & hospitality with a wonderful view of the Kyoto streets in a traditional Japanese-style building...
Niku no Takumi Miyoshi Restaurant
One of the top kobe beef restaurants in the country...
Marykyu Koyamaen Tea House
Marukyu-Koyamaen ranks among the foremost producers of fine teas in Japan....