Hyatt Regency Kyoto is located in the district of Higashiyama Shichijo,
which has long been the cultural heart of Kyoto. In fact, this district
is famous for its significant history in terms of politics and culture,
led by the Emperor Goshirakawa and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and its beauty
of prosperity and tradition still remains.
The history of Higashiyama Shichijo dates back to the late Heian
period (early 12th century). Then, Heian-kyo enjoyed a glorious
dynastic culture and the ordinary people established their lives
in a mature city. Heian-kyo, founded by the Emperor Kanmu in 794,
originally covered the area west of the Kamogawa River and had a
population of about 70,000~100,000, which expanded to reach hundreds
of thousands in the ensuing 400 years. Heian-kyo eventually developed
and scattered satellite cities throughout the surrounding areas,
much as modern society does today. Among these so-called satellite
cities, Hojuji-dono was the largest and was ruled by Goshirakawa.
Hyatt Regency Kyoto is located on part of the old site of Hojuji-dono.
Hojuji-dono was established at the foot of a mountain in Higashiyama
by Goshirakawa. Renge-ouin, commonly known as Sanjusangen-do, was
erected by Taira no Kiyomori, under the orders of Goshirakawa, as
an attachment to Hojuji-dono. When Goshirakawa passed away in 1192,
he was buried in Hoka-do, which was built in Hojuji-dono after his
death. Goshirakawa’s Mausoleum still remains to the south of Hyatt
Regency Kyoto.
Some other important historic sites were also located in Hojuji-dono,
such as the huge pond located near the current Imakumano Shrine;
a scenic garden; the Tomb of Kenshun-monin Taira no Shigeko, who
was a favourite of Goshirakawa and the little sister of Taira no
Kiyomori's wife, Tokiko; and the tomb of a high-powered military
commander, who was buried along with his spectacular armour and
other burial accessories.
The area around Higashiyama Shichijo was a special place for Toyotomi
Hideyoshi in the latter days of his life. He passed away at the
age of 63 after dominating the country. According to his last words,
he was buried in the middle of the Amidaga-mine Mountain, which
is located east of Shichijo-dori, and his spirit was declared a
Hokoku-daimyojin God. Although the Tokugawa Shogunate destroyed
Hideyoshi’s tomb under the reign of the Third Tokugawa Shogun Iemitsu,
Hideyoshi was re-dedicated in Nikko Toshogu during the Meiji Era,
and the Hokoku Shrine and Hokokubyo Mausoleum were restored.
When you walk east from the intersection at Shichijo-dori and Higashioji-dori,
there is an uphill slope called “Onna-zaka” (women’s slope), where
crowds of young students from the Kyoto Women’s University and the
Kyoto Women’s Junior College often gather. After walking about 300m
through the passage in the Chishakuin temple or Myohoin temple,
you will reach the Hokokubyo Mausoleum by means of a long stone
staircase.
