The Other Tower

Kyoto is a city built in a bowl with mountains encircling the city-center basin. Rising from the center of the bowl is Kyoto Tower. The tower was built in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics and during my trip to Kyoto it was indispensable for helping me to gain my bearings. The tower can be seen from almost anywhere in city, as you can see.

Although I thought the tower was convenient and comforting, it is sometimes met with strong opposition. Since Kyoto is thought of as the oldest, and most traditional city in Japan the building codes prevent the surrounding buildings from growing more than a few stories. This means that the Kyoto tower will always loom over the surroundings and photobomb in the picturesque scenes of its historical neighbors.

Oddly enough, at souvenir shops in Kyoto there are many postcards of famous landmarks and tourist attractions of the city, but Tokyo tower is not commonly featured. Perhaps just because its there doesn't mean people have to like you.

Even so, I liked Kyoto tower and i look forward to seeing it again next time I visit the city.