Sunday 29 April 2018

Higashiyama Culture on the Keihan Line

EMU Keihan 8000 series stands at Demachiyanagi station on the Ohtoh line

Higashiyama is located in the eastern part of Kyoto. This area consists of a flat land along the river Kamo and its adjacent mountains. Higashiyama is famous for its culture named Higashiyama culture, which originates from the 15th century. Higashiyama culture has a spiritual aspect. It is totally different from the aureate Kitayama culture spread in the northern part of Kyoto in the 14th century. For instance, it is the beauty we find in imperfection. It is an awareness of the transience of things. A rustic look is also important. We can see those aspects in architectures, gardens, arts, Noh drama and tea ceremonies in the Higashiyama area. Jisho-ji temple is the representative spot to see Higashiyama culture. You can see Ginkaku, a Kannon hall, and a garden made by Zeami in the precinct. They are simple but very beautiful. 

To get to Jisho-ji temple, the nearest station is Demachiyanagi on the Keihan-Ohtoh line. It is an underground route penetrating from south to north in the eastern part of Kyoto. The flagship train on the Ohtoh line is the EMU 8000 series launched in 1989. Different from the standard trains on the line, the 8000 series has vivid two-tone colored aluminum bodies with cross seats. A total of 10 sets, 80 cars were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. One premium car is sandwiched in the center of an 8-car train. The premium car has gorgeous wide reclining seats, which are very popular among tourists traveling from Osaka.

Ginkaku pavilion of Jisho-ji temple near Demachiyanagi station on the Ohtoh line

Official information about Keihan Premium Car:
official information about the EMU Keihan 8000 series (in Japanese):