Today we packed our bags and headed to Kyoto, only a two our trip on the Bullet Train. Kyoto was formerly the capital of Japan and has more then 2000 temples and shrines. Mr Ashihara had an appointment for a Japanese Enzyme Bath, so he hired a cab to take us to the most popular spots in Kyoto.
We started at Sanjusangen-do. The main building of the temple houses the Thousand Armed Kannon. This temple also contains one thousand life size statues of the Thousand Armed Kannon which stand on both the right and left sides of the main statue in 10 rows.
Here we are outside the main building that holds the Thousand Armed Kannon and the thousand life size statues. As you can tell the weather was not cooperating with us.
We were not able to take pictures inside the temple however I was able to find this one of the life size statues online. Got to love Google!!
Next our cab driver took us over to Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, aka The Clear Water Temple. The main hall is notable for its vast veranda, supported by hundreds of pillars, that juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city.
View of the Three Storied Pagoda (Sanju-no-to) with the Sutra Hall in the foreground.
This is the main building.
Check out the view behind us. It was amazing!
Here we are at the Otowa-no-taki, this is the waterfall where visitors drink for health, longevity and success in studies. The water has flown from deep within the mountain for thousands of years, and of course from which Kiyomiza-dera takes its name.
Next we headed to Heian Jingu Shrine, a Shinto Shrine designed to imitate the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Here we are in front of the main gate.
Local women visiting the shrine, everyone was stopping them asking for pictures.
Lastly the cab driver took us to Rokuon-Ji Temple, or The Golden Pavilion. The entire pavilion except the basement floor is covered with pure gold leaf. The Golden Pavilion has a magnificent Japanese garden right outside, there are many islands and stones on the pond that represent the Buddhist creation story.
The golden pavilion.
During this time of year Japanese students take school trips to many of the site seeing places we also were visiting. At the Golden Pavilion these 6 students asked if they could “interview” me. They had a little booklet and asked me simple questions to practice their English. I guess I look American!!! I was so impressed and touched by how cute they were. At the end they asked me to write down my address and take a picture with them. I LOVE IT!!
By this time we were pretty tired from all the walking and site seeing so we had the cab driver bring us to the little Japanese Inn we were staying.
It is a very typical Japanese Inn and this is our very typical Japanese room. Check it out… no couch, no chairs, NO BED!
We met up with Mr. Ashihara and went down stairs for a VERY traditional Japanese dinner! Here I am trying to decide if I should even try what’s in that bowl! Please note we are sitting on the floor again. lol
When we got back to our room, our “beds” were out. It was a long day and we hit the hay pretty quickly!