Exploring Kyoto: On Foot In The Ancient Capital
What began as the author's translation of Japanese-language  Kyoto street and informational signs grew into a bountiful little book  complete with superstitions, legends, history, and popular culture. The  map key foretells the natural details used to guide the visitor through  27 walking tours of this beautiful, ancient city. Pagodas, gates, and  shrines are marked, along with waterfalls, springs, cherry trees, plum  trees, and lotus flowers. Romantic names such as "Sound of  Feathers Waterfall," "Moon-Crossing Bridge" and  "Teahouse of Clear Rippling Waves" intimate how highly the  Japanese regard the natural world. On each clearly written tour, the  author reveals fascinating facts about the city: the lattice-windowed  wooden townhouses are called eel houses because of their depth and  narrowness, andnorensare the split curtains that help  distinguish businesses from homes, hanging in the doorways of open  shops and restaurants to announce the name of the business and the  nature of its trade. Whether or not you're planning a trip to Kyoto,  this is a fascinating glimpse into the culture of Japan.