Enko-ji Temple is so beautiful in autumn, even crowds can be mesmerized into momentary silence.

Here is some meaningless text that is nevertheless necessary so that I can test the image-matching system in the new Kyotown layout. Enkoji is really one of the more beautiful temples in Kyoto for enjoying the autumn colors. the nighttime illumination is lovely.

In mid-March, the city passed a series of ordinances limiting the height of new or renovated commercial buildings in the downtown area to 31 meters, or roughly 10 stories. The current height limit is 45 meters.

Buildings in other parts of the city that are designated mixed commercial-residential areas will have to lower their heights from the current maximum of 31 meters to 15 meters, or roughly five stories.

Rooftop advertising and flashing neon signs will also be banned, and restrictions placed on the color, shape and architectural design of new or renovated buildings to create a less flashy, more subdued urban atmosphere that looks, according to a City Hall bureaucrat, less like modern Tokyo or Osaka and more like traditional Kyoto.

(Continue to Japan Times)

The education board introduced the consoles in second-year English classes in all four of the city’s municipal junior high schools on Monday.
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As part of the Kyoto Arts Festival, this year’s Country Dream All-Japan Country Music Festival will be held on Saturday, October 7 beginning at 3 p.m. at the concert bowl at Maruyama Park in Kyoto. Special Guest Stars are Rosie Flores and as usual, Charlie McCoy. Tickets are ¥3,000 advance purchase and ¥3,500 at the door.