September 1, 2019
by Mayu Nishikawa and Natsumi Nishimura
Detective Conan is one of the most popular manga (comics or graphic novels) in Japan. It was written by Gosho Aoyama in the mid-to-late 90s. The main character is Conan Edogawa. His real name is Shinichi Kudo. He is a high school student. He is very smart. However, he looks like child because of a poison he ingested, but his brain remains that of an adult. He hides his real self from around people. He uses the name “Conan Edogawa.” He lives in his girlfriend’s house, but she doesn’t know that Conan is actually Shinichi.
In the story, he always happens to be at the scene of a crime. Then, he solves criminal cases. This manga has not concluded yet. Last year, the 95th volume was released. The 95th volume contains the 1000th episode. Commemorative of the 1000th episode, the main characters went to Kyoto on a school trip. Conan temporarily returns to Shinichi as an antidote. However, at the hotel where they stayed, there was a murder case. Moreover, the romance between Shinichi and his girlfriend, named Ran, developed at Kiyomizudera temple. They visited this famous tourist spot in Kyoto.
In this article, we’d like to introduce three tourists spot they visited. These are Kiyomizudera temple, Kinkakuji temple and Kitanotenmangu shrine. If you like Detective Conan, you can enjoy these spots. Even if you don’t know much about Dectective Conan, you will like those spots and become interested in Detective Conan.
Kiyomizudera
Kiyomizudera temple is one of the famous temples in Kyoto. It was built in 778. It was burned to the ground by fire over ten time, but it was reconstructed again and again. It was registered one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kyoto in 1994. There is main gate called Nioumon. This is a good picture spot because it is a beautiful red color and so big. Kiyomizu temple is also famous for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. If you go there, we recommend you visit in the spring or autumn. Kiyomizu temple also has a stage called Kiyomizu stage. The picture of the stage is front cover of the 95th volume of manga. The view from the stage is wonderful. On the stage, Shinichi and Ran had their photo taken by their friend. At the end, Ran expressed her feelings to Shinichi. Moreover, he solved murder case. The Kiyomizu stage is the best place for Detective Conan’s fans.
Kinkauji
Kinkakuji temple is another one of the World Heritage Sites of Kyoto. It was built by Yoshimitsu Ashikaga in 1397. He is the third Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate. This Shogunate is the samurai government of the Muromachi Shogunate. The official name of Kinkakuji temple is Rokuonji. Kinkakuji temple was burned to the ground in 1950, but it was reconstructed in 1955. This temple is a three-layered building, but only the second and third layers are covered with gold foil. This golden Kinkakuji temple reflected in the pond is very beautiful.
Shinichi and his friends visited Kinkakuji temple. They took photos and enjoy the view.
Kitanotenmangu
Kitanotenmangu shrine deifies Michizane Sugawarano. He has great ability for studying. For example, he is well known for composing an emotional Japanese poetry and creating Chinese poetry. He is called the god of learning, so this shrine is famous as a place where people pray for success in school. This shrine was built in 947. There is a light up event held in the precincts on the 25th of every month. This day is called Tenjin Day, because Michizane Sugawarano’s birthday is on July 25th. Every month of that day, there are many food stands.
After Shinichi solved the murder case at Kiyomizu stage, they visited Kitanotenmangu Shrine as the end of sightseeing. If you want to be smart like Conan, you should visit and pray there.
As you can see, we introduced three spots where the main characters of Detective Conan visited: Kiyomizudera temple,Kinkakuji temple and Kitanotenmangu shrine. If you visit these spots, we are sure you feel like you are a member of Conan’s school trip. Every place is perfect for sightseeing in Kyoto. Let’s visit those temples and shrine!
Access
Kiyomizudera temple
The opening hour 06:00~18:00 (~18:30)
The entrance fee is 400 yen for adults (high school students and above)
and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students.
From Kyoto station- No.86, 206, 100 city bus, get off “Gojozaka”
Kinkakuji temple
The opening hours 09:00～17:00
The entrance fee is 400 yen for adults (high school students and above)
and 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students.
From Kyoto station- No.101, 205 city bus, get off “Kinkakujido”
Kitanotenmangu shrine
The gate opening hours: April~ September 05:00~18:00, October~ March
05:30~17:00
From Kyoto station- No.50, 101 city bus, get off “Kitano Tenmangumae”
From Demachiyanagi station- No.102, 203 city bus, get off “Kitano
Tenmangumae”.