Shimabara's Enduring Cultural Heritage
Shimabara, established in 1640, was historically Kyoto's designated red-light district. While it ceased to function as such in the 1950s, it continued as a geisha district for several years. Today, tayū, a special type of geisha, continue to perform in Shimabara, which operates as a tourist district and maintains one ochaya. 1
Daikaku-ji Temple in Ukyō-ku
In Ukyō-ku, a western ward of Kyoto, stands Daikaku-ji, a Shingon Buddhist temple. This site was originally the residence of Emperor Saga (785–842 CE) and later served as a location for various emperors to conduct their cloistered rule. The temple is also the headquarters for the Saga Go-ryū school of ikebana. 2
Daikaku-ji features Ōsawa Pond, an artificial lake recognized as one of the oldest Japanese garden ponds that has survived from the Heian period. 2