Kyoto
I visited Kyoto in Autumn of 2015. Kyoto is an amazing city. We stayed at Ryokans to more western style hotels while in Kyoto. The first hotel was at the train station and was amazing. The train station had an amphitheater at the highest level which had animated Halloween signs at night to celebrate the holiday. We visited many temples while we were there and had a great Sake tasting.
Ginkaku-ji (silver pavilion) temple: The Ginkaku-ji (silver pavilion) temple is a Zen temple that was built in 1482. The Silver Pavilion is a small building (closed to the public) surrounded by a peaceful and beautiful gardens, both sand and plant. We wandered the garden walking paths up to a very scenic view of the temple grounds and surrounds.
Eikan-do temple: The Eikan-do temple was founded around 900 AD. It is a functioning Buddhist temple, so it is a very busy place. The "turning back Amida" statue is at the place of honor at the temple, and as the story goes; Abbot Eikan was walking around the statue of Amida when the statue stepped off the pedestal and began walking away beckoning to Eikan saying “Eikan come with me.” Which is why the statue of Amida is looking over its shoulder. Be aware that you need to walk around the temples in stocking feet which wore me out quicker than I thought, put putting on my sandals gave me new life. The walk up to the 2 story pagoda was more steps than I care to count or was expecting, but had a great view of Kyoto.
Nanzenji Temple: The Sanmom gate was HUGE! I can understand why it is considered one of the "five great Zen temples in Kyoto". The gate and temple building date back to the 1570 (because the previous burned down) it is an amazing wood structure and it took quite a bit of walking around to find a spot to get the whole gate into the picture. The main pavilion of the temple is the Hojo Hall which is known for its gold leaf wall paintings of tigers and other scenes. There is also an aqueduct that was built to bring water into the temple.
Nishi-Honganji Temple: The Nishi-Honganji Temple complex is northwest of the train station. It is also called the “Western Temple of the Original Vow” and is one of 2 temple complexes of the school of Pure Land Buddhism, the second is to the east. It was built in 1602 AD. When we arrived it was empty, but the Buddhist service got done about 15 minutes after we got there and people streamed out. Just to the south is the Koshoji Temple complex, it shares a wall so it may be part of the larger Nishi-Hongan complex.
Kiyomizu temple: Kiyomizu temple is a functioning temple so it was very busy. The present buildings were built in 1633 AD. The main temple was built on the side of a cliff, has a great view of Kyoto, and significant support for the balcony which was apparent on the walk. There is a water fountain that is reputed to give health, longevity, and success in studies to whomever drinks from it, and there were a long line of folks filling up cups to drink. There is also a very nice pagoda on the hill facing the temple balcony.
Kodai-ji temple: As dusk approached we walked to Kodai-ji temple which was built in 1605 AD. It had a very good evening animated light show on one of the sand gardens. The grounds were beautify lite; although they were not lit well enough for pictures. There was a lovely evening walk through the garden which included a lit bamboo glade and a peak at a huge Buddha through the trees.
Fushimi Inari Shrine: Fushimi Inari Shrine was founded when the god Inari was enshrined on Mountain Inari in 711 AD. There are a large number of gates behind the main shrine which are called “Senbon Torii” or thousand gates. With its distinctive red temples and red columned walkways the temple is a “must see” for Kyoto.
Kinkkaku (golden pavilion) Temple: The Kinkkaku (golden pavilion) is reputed to contain relics of Buddha and was built in 1397. It is a beautiful golden building sitting on a small lake with an amazing reflection. It is crowned by a golden phoenix. It is very crowded so the walk around the complex was an exercise in flowing with the crowds. It has a nice tea house to sit and get away from the crowds.
Nezumi (rat) Shrine: The Nezumi (rat) Shrine lies just off the Philosopher’s Walk, and is very easy to miss. It was founded in 887 AD. It has a pair of rats guarding the shrine, which is dedicated to Okuninushi no mikoto, who according to legend was rescued from a field-fire by rats.
Heian-Jingu Shrine: This shrine was built in 1895 and is a 5/8th scale reproduction of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in the style from the 11th-12th century (late Heian Period).
Tsukino Katsura Sake Distillery: We had an excellent Sake tasting and tour at Tsukino Katsura where we tasted 13 different sakes. All were different flavors and smells. Tsukino specializes in small batch Sake.
Read MoreGinkaku-ji (silver pavilion) temple: The Ginkaku-ji (silver pavilion) temple is a Zen temple that was built in 1482. The Silver Pavilion is a small building (closed to the public) surrounded by a peaceful and beautiful gardens, both sand and plant. We wandered the garden walking paths up to a very scenic view of the temple grounds and surrounds.
Eikan-do temple: The Eikan-do temple was founded around 900 AD. It is a functioning Buddhist temple, so it is a very busy place. The "turning back Amida" statue is at the place of honor at the temple, and as the story goes; Abbot Eikan was walking around the statue of Amida when the statue stepped off the pedestal and began walking away beckoning to Eikan saying “Eikan come with me.” Which is why the statue of Amida is looking over its shoulder. Be aware that you need to walk around the temples in stocking feet which wore me out quicker than I thought, put putting on my sandals gave me new life. The walk up to the 2 story pagoda was more steps than I care to count or was expecting, but had a great view of Kyoto.
Nanzenji Temple: The Sanmom gate was HUGE! I can understand why it is considered one of the "five great Zen temples in Kyoto". The gate and temple building date back to the 1570 (because the previous burned down) it is an amazing wood structure and it took quite a bit of walking around to find a spot to get the whole gate into the picture. The main pavilion of the temple is the Hojo Hall which is known for its gold leaf wall paintings of tigers and other scenes. There is also an aqueduct that was built to bring water into the temple.
Nishi-Honganji Temple: The Nishi-Honganji Temple complex is northwest of the train station. It is also called the “Western Temple of the Original Vow” and is one of 2 temple complexes of the school of Pure Land Buddhism, the second is to the east. It was built in 1602 AD. When we arrived it was empty, but the Buddhist service got done about 15 minutes after we got there and people streamed out. Just to the south is the Koshoji Temple complex, it shares a wall so it may be part of the larger Nishi-Hongan complex.
Kiyomizu temple: Kiyomizu temple is a functioning temple so it was very busy. The present buildings were built in 1633 AD. The main temple was built on the side of a cliff, has a great view of Kyoto, and significant support for the balcony which was apparent on the walk. There is a water fountain that is reputed to give health, longevity, and success in studies to whomever drinks from it, and there were a long line of folks filling up cups to drink. There is also a very nice pagoda on the hill facing the temple balcony.
Kodai-ji temple: As dusk approached we walked to Kodai-ji temple which was built in 1605 AD. It had a very good evening animated light show on one of the sand gardens. The grounds were beautify lite; although they were not lit well enough for pictures. There was a lovely evening walk through the garden which included a lit bamboo glade and a peak at a huge Buddha through the trees.
Fushimi Inari Shrine: Fushimi Inari Shrine was founded when the god Inari was enshrined on Mountain Inari in 711 AD. There are a large number of gates behind the main shrine which are called “Senbon Torii” or thousand gates. With its distinctive red temples and red columned walkways the temple is a “must see” for Kyoto.
Kinkkaku (golden pavilion) Temple: The Kinkkaku (golden pavilion) is reputed to contain relics of Buddha and was built in 1397. It is a beautiful golden building sitting on a small lake with an amazing reflection. It is crowned by a golden phoenix. It is very crowded so the walk around the complex was an exercise in flowing with the crowds. It has a nice tea house to sit and get away from the crowds.
Nezumi (rat) Shrine: The Nezumi (rat) Shrine lies just off the Philosopher’s Walk, and is very easy to miss. It was founded in 887 AD. It has a pair of rats guarding the shrine, which is dedicated to Okuninushi no mikoto, who according to legend was rescued from a field-fire by rats.
Heian-Jingu Shrine: This shrine was built in 1895 and is a 5/8th scale reproduction of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in the style from the 11th-12th century (late Heian Period).
Tsukino Katsura Sake Distillery: We had an excellent Sake tasting and tour at Tsukino Katsura where we tasted 13 different sakes. All were different flavors and smells. Tsukino specializes in small batch Sake.
