Kyoto SlowJourney

A slow journey is a trip with "minimal environmental impact where one can make connections with others, contribute to the community, and live the slow life." In Kyoto today, there are movements towards achieving new carbon neutral lifestyles with an aim to achieve a prosperous society defined by a culture co-existing with nature, where people can choose a sustainable way of life that's right for them based on a mindset of frugality. At the base of those new movements are value systems and patterns of behavior rooted in "connections between people and with nature" that have been passed down from ancient times through daily life. A slow journey through Kyoto aims to participate in that daily life in Kyoto, co-creating the low-carbon, slow lifestyle. The destination of this journey is the area known as Murasakino / Shichiku, located in northern Kyoto City (called Rakuhoku). This area is bounded to the north by production sites for traditional Kyoto vegetables, Nishijin to the south, Okitayama Mountain to the west, and Kamogawa River to the east. At the center is Daitoku-ji Temple, Imamiya-jinja Shrine, and other religious buildings in a rich natural setting and culture, as well as the people who live there and are accustomed to such a setting. In this journey, travelers will experience the recycling and sharing culture of the local lifestyle together with local residents. Take a walk along Kamogawa River. Enjoy shopping while chatting with other people in the shopping district. Spend time with people cohabiting an old Japanese-style house. This is a lifestyle and culture that is experienced in dialogue with everyone else. On an individual basis, this is just casual everyday life in Kyoto. But take a walk together with the community manager who provides local guidance and engage in numerous discussions with residents and participants, and then take a second look at your own self and community life. There will be hints all over the place for how to achieve a sustainable lifestyle and way of life for all participants. Kyoto is a community of relationships that relies on mutual support among people and nature itself. Local residents form cross-reaching connections with various communities in their lives. Why not experience their "everyday" yet one-and-only lifestyle together with them?