My Kind of Kyoto Website

While researching a recent blog entry about Shoseien, a.k.a. Kikokutei, I came across an amazing website called My Kind of Kyoto, created and maintained by Mr. Noboru Asano. I initially discovered the site through Google, so after reading about Shoseien, I scanned the left margin where 21 other Kyoto temples and shrines are listed and moved on after not seeing Shisendo. During a return visit, I took a closer look and saw the note advising visitors to use the Index to find sites not listed in the margin. One click later, and there was a list of over 140 Kyoto attractions, including my beloved Shisendo. Naturally, this was my first stop, where I was rewarded by the sight of some beautiful low angle shots of the hermitage unlike any I had ever seen before.

The beauty of the site is that it combines information, photos, and maps of the attractions better than any guidebook ever could. I am unable to test the site with a smartphone, but it seems possible that you could tour Kyoto with only this website as your guide. When you consider that the main page includes helpful information about buildings under repair and upcoming festivals, all on a site free from advertising, it really seems like the perfect Kyoto website.

I must also mention that during an e-mail correspondence I struck up with Mr. Asano this week, he took the time to provide me with valuable references that corrected a mistaken impression I had about when Ishikawa Jozan assisted with the re-design of Shoseien. After expressing my gratitude, Mr. Asano humbly stated “I just want to help people who are interested in Japan.” If anyone from JNTO or the Kyoto Tourism Division reads this blog entry, I think he deserves an award.