Japanese Christmas

Ho ho ho!

Kyoto

Japan, land of dichotomy

This month’s fun excursion was to Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital. Well known for its wealth of temples and shrines, we were warned not to spend too much time in one district and miss everything else.

Because I don’t remember the chronological order of our trip, I’m just going to present

I feel smarter already

what I can remember. Don’t check me on the facts though – I’m pretty sure some things got mixed up.

Some of the highlights of the trip were the Philosopher’s Walkway, Kodai-ji temple, Kennin-ji temple, Ginkaku-ji, the Imperial Palace, the National Museum, Ryozen (A Tribute to the Unknown Soldier World War II) and Arashiyama.

The Philosopher’s Walkway is so named because the Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida was said to wander and think along the canal. It’s a beautiful meandering path amongst trees and cute little shops.

Kodai-ji temple was a beautiful place that boasts some of Kyoto’s finest lacquered wares. Established in 1605 by noblewoman Kita-no-Mandokoro in memory of her late husband. It was destroyed in a series of fires after 1789.

Zen

Set in the northern mountains of Kyoto, Kodai-ji was a wonderful way to take in the nature and relax. One of the neater things about the complex was the covered bridge that spanned from one complex to the other. There was also a very cool “Zen Mound” (my phrase) in the centre of the gardens.

Told you it was neat

We stumbled upon Kennin-ji temple – a sprawling complex with an amazing painted ceiling featuring an unusual double dragon design (most temples only have one dragon).

Kennin-ji

Twin Dragons; Kennin-ji

Ginkaku-ji was very similar to Kodai-ji, with magnificent gardens and viewing ponds. The temple also featured some amazing screens with traditional paintings and rock gardens.

Main garden; Ginkaku-ji

Big Sky; Ginkaku-ji

The Imperial Palace featured an extensive public park outside of its main buildings (closed to the public unless on a tour). In the spring and summer, orchards bloom with cherry trees. The palace itself was used from 1331 to 1869 when the palace was moved to Tokyo.

Tiger Screen; Palace

Palace

You can’t miss Ryozen for the massive effigy of “Kwan-on” on the top of the temple complex. Upon paying our entrance fee, we were both given a hefty stick of purple incense for prayer. The temple itself is in commemoration to the Japanese who died in WWII.

Spectacular!

Sunlight behind the main effigy

A little shrine hidden behind the main complex

Arashiyama was a quaint (albeit busy) little tourist town that had a ton of temples, as well as a bamboo forest walk.

Lantern; Arashiyama

In the end, we wandered to a fair amount of places, temples and shrines – most of which I can’t name with any degree of accuracy, so (as is my wont) enjoy this last series of photos.

Hidden shrine

I love Inari shrines