Today would be our whirwind adventure in Kyoto. We got up early and starting our journey we were assaulted with warm temperatures and awful humidity the minute we left our hostel.
Sanjunsangendo - the temple with 1001 golden Kannon statues - was our first stop (maybe a 20 minute walk) and we were already wet from the humidity. The inside of the temples were okay, but it was the temple grounds that I found beautiful. So many trees, ponds, mini shrines - it was just gorgeous.
We then headed further up to Kiyomizu Temple (pure water temple). The walk to Kiyomizu isn't a bad walk, but when it's hot and humid it seems like the longest walk of your life. The tempuratures were probably in the low 80's but with 80% + humidity, that's a lot for a desert dwelling person to handle. These grounds were again gorgeous, but how I made it out alive I'll never know. I'm a bit of a klutz at times and between this temple and Ginkakuji, I fell about 5 times, twisted my ankle twice and slammed my head twice into two low door frames.
Next up: "Ninja" Castle, Osaka for a day and bad food experiences
Sanjunsangendo - the temple with 1001 golden Kannon statues - was our first stop (maybe a 20 minute walk) and we were already wet from the humidity. The inside of the temples were okay, but it was the temple grounds that I found beautiful. So many trees, ponds, mini shrines - it was just gorgeous.
Our next stop was Ginkakuji - a Silver Pavilion with a neat Zen garden. Again - gorgeous grounds. I'm pretty sure I'll have a mini Zen garden when I own a house.
We then headed further up to Kiyomizu Temple (pure water temple). The walk to Kiyomizu isn't a bad walk, but when it's hot and humid it seems like the longest walk of your life. The tempuratures were probably in the low 80's but with 80% + humidity, that's a lot for a desert dwelling person to handle. These grounds were again gorgeous, but how I made it out alive I'll never know. I'm a bit of a klutz at times and between this temple and Ginkakuji, I fell about 5 times, twisted my ankle twice and slammed my head twice into two low door frames.
Here's a fun fact about Kiyomizu. You know the english phrase "to take the plunge"? Well Japan has one "to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu". Well people used to actually do this. They believe that if they jumped off the stage at Kiyomizu (about 50 feet), and survived, their wish would be granted. 234 people attempted this jump and the survival rate was about 84% - sadly this practice is now banned.
Next stop was for the Ryoanji and to see it's Zen rock garden. It felt so nice to take our shoes off at this point (shoes have to come off at most temples in Japan). We were able to sit and just stare at the rock garden.
Next stop was for the Ryoanji and to see it's Zen rock garden. It felt so nice to take our shoes off at this point (shoes have to come off at most temples in Japan). We were able to sit and just stare at the rock garden.
I'm not sure if were relaxed and content because of rock garden or because we had covered 40% of Kyoto at that point in seven hours. Whatever the reason we were content to sit there for a good 20 minutes and just enjoy the quiet.
After Ryoanji we headed to Arashiyama to see the bamboo forest. To get there we had to take a bus ride with a few transfers. We got on the first bus and when our stop approached, we pressed our call button to notify the driver. The bus approached the stop, but then made a u-turn and didn't stop. After a brief, but hilarious, freak out moment provided by David Archuleta we realized the bus was done with it's route and we had to transfer to another bus. I've never seen a man panic like that, but it made my night.
We eventually made it to the bamboo forest and of course my camera battery died right as we entered. This forest is gorgeous and breathtaking and I would encourage you to go when it's still light outside. We were there right as night was coming and we weren't able to see it as well as I wanted. This photo isn't mine, but it gives you an idea of what this forest looks like.
Next up: "Ninja" Castle, Osaka for a day and bad food experiences
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