Zen and comics

Before heading out, try practicing some techniques from Zen, the school of Mahayana Buddhism born in China and introduced to Japan in the 12th century. No, it`s not about assuming the lotus position with your feet crossed over your knees, your back strainght, chin up and eyes half-closed. It`s more about paying attention to your breathing, slowly and deeply inhaling and exhaling for a few minutes. In a calmer state, you then observe your train of thought, desires and sensations, which for a traveler can resemble an out-of-control Shinkansen, the Japanese high - speed train that takes just a few hours to get you halfway across the country from Tokyo to Kyoto. You have to let these thoughts and feelings come and go, offering no resistance, simply breathing deeply at an unhurried pace. When you have attained a state of tranquility and clarity, you can hit the ground running, In the northern part of Kyoto, there`s Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, a divine haven reflected in the lagoon of a traditional Japanese garden common to northeastern Zen Buddhist sanctuaries. East of Kyoto is the Fushimi-Inari-taisha Shinto shrine, with hundreds of scarlet torii gates along the 250-yard uphill climb that marks the transition from the earthly realm to the sacred.

To the west, there are also amazing views from the traditional garden of famed silent samurai movie star Denjiro Okochi. Located in the verdant sector of Asakusa, the Okochisanso Garden is a sublime and moving example of nature and desing. It`s almost as though every tree, bush, plant, pond, canal, stone path, lantern and stone figure was designed for paradise and maintained with the utmost care. You enter the garden on widing paths through a grove of giant Sagano bamboo, which inspires silence and sense of calm.

Back in the heart of town, just a minute`s walk from the Karasuma Oike metro station, the International Manga Museum houses more than 300,000 comics and animated films, which sometimes feature violent content. Visitors are welcome to leaf though the comics-which are read right to left. You´ll see hours and hours reading intently, almost without blinking. The museum also offers manga courses for children.