Kyoto, Japan (part 1)

ahhh Kyoto, the city with rich history with countless number of temples, shrines and other historical structures(I'm serious every corner there must be a temple or a shrine). One of my many favorite city to visit. Spending about 6 nights here, we visited only a scratch of Kyoto, but i got a feeling we will come visit again, well maybe not soooo soon

did i mention that Japan's public transport is freaking Awesome? well they are

1st destination - to Ginkakuji Temple or know as the Silver Pavilion. From Shijo Dori somewhere near Karasuma Station we took the City bus No5 to Ginkakuji-michi. *or you can also take City bus No32 to Ginkakuji Mae. Both stops are only 500m apart so any of these 2 bus can bring you to Ginkakuji Temple

their bus system are slightly different. you go in from the back door and take this small ticket from the machine. If i remember correctly the fair was about 190yen. You only pay when u get down from the front door. *make sure you have the right amount. If you don't have small change there is also this small machine beside the driver that you can use you to change to small change. I know...the Japanese though it all

Ginkakuji-michi

the bus ride took about 40 minutes

along the road to Ginkakuji there are also lots to see, eat and buy

nice weather and tons of tourists but mostly local tourist

Ginkakuji. Entrance fee 500yen / adult and 300yen/ child

us @ Ginkakuji

Ginkakuji or the Silver Pavilion was never in silver despite its name but it is explained that moon light reflecting on the building's dark exterior(black lacquer back in the days) gave it a silvery appearance hence the nickname

 Heike and Ehrenfried @ Ginkakuji our travel partner of the day :)

the silver pavilion was formally named Kannonden (Kannon Hall), the pavilion's 2 stories area constructed in 2 different achitecture styles (Chinese and Japanese style) inside contain a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, but it's not open to the public

some weird looking plant

Ginkakuji is a zen temple besides the Silver pavilion there are half a dozen of other temple building

also a unique dry sand garden, known as the "Sea of silver sand". seriously i don't know how they do it. it's so freaking neat

this massive sand cone named " Moon Viewing Platform"

^^

in Japan do as the Japanese do...PEACE

the crazy PEACE girls

In 1482, shogun built his retirement villa on the grounds of today's temple. Damn this guy got taste!

also there is  a beautiful beautiful moss garden

Boon making a wish @ wishing pond

the temple is actually quite big, we walked along a circular route around it's grounds. This view is from the small hill behind the temple

next we walked along this famous path named philosopher's path or Tetsugaku-no-michi

one of Japan's most famous famous philosophers, Nishida Kitaro, who was said to practice meditation while taking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University. There are hundreds of Cherry trees along the path, so in April this place it's gonna be all pink and white full of cherry blossoms. But for early June we only have the greens but still it's a very lovely lovely place to take a stroll

there are also small cafes, tea houses

and boutiques

this canal that the path follows, is part of the Lake Biwa Canal. The canal was built during the Meiji period

lots of Japanese kap and they are big

the guys @ the end of this 2km Philosopher's path, somewhere @ Nanzenji area

Eikan-do-temple, due to time constrain we didn't went in

after a few minutes walked we reached Nanzenji temple ground. We come across Nanzenji's Sanmon gate (Mountain gate) one of the 3 largest gates in Japan 1st, entrance fee 500yen/ adult

The temple ground itself is free of change to public but separate fees for other temple building and sub temples. Its a little pricey to visit all but one can't really put a price on art

going up Sanmon gate

from Sanmon gate you can see the whole of Nanzenji temple.

The histody of Nanzenji begins in 1290 when the emperor Kameyama invited Fumon the priest on his retirement palace(he abdicated in 1274) to exorcise a ghost that was plaguing the palace with problems. Instead of chanting incantations to drive out the spirit, like any other priest, Fumon simply sat down and meditated until the ghost apparently left. The emperor was so impressed with the strength of Zen Meditation he graced Fumon with his lower palace on his retirement villa grounds at the temple's present location and later converted it into a Zen temple

the temples is also consider to be one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan some even said in the world

roof detail

further in there is also an aqueduct 

checking the map

Chion-in Temple entrance

zoological garden

giant Tori  leading to Heian Jingu Shrine @ Jingu michi

petrol station....really space efficient

Dogs in Japan are really pampered. Damn they even have a special dog stroller...i was like WTF

touching the roadside Buddhist statue in Higashiyama. There are signs of the location map to all the Buddhist statues

one of it is this Ryozen Kannon. These is this Wishing Ball pavilion, it is said that your wish is granted if you walk as many times as the number of your wishes around the ball while touching it with your right hand. There is also a memorial tablets of 2 million Japanese who died in WWII and also a memorial hall in honor of the unknown soldier killed in WWII

ninja shoes wore by the ninjas......no i saw them on the men who pull the rickshaw .

cool huh

on our way to Kiyomizudera Temple, we saw GEISHA or we though so. I love their kimono....gorgeous!!

everyone was like grabbing the chance to have a photo with them....and we were among the everyone...hehe

lovely

i kind of stalked them for awhile

lots to see and the shops along the path to Kiyomizudera are lovely

snacks

 ahhhh the atmosphere was nice and you see some lovely Japanese ladies in their yukata

kawaiiii

the green tea ice cream is wicked.....a must try!!!

finally about 15-20 minutes hiking up slowly....there it is the one and only Kiyomizudera Temple or literally mean "Pure Water Temple"

we were so lucky that the whole day was blue sky and warm weather with a hint of cool breeze

 lovely

Entrance fee to Kiyomizudera is 300yen/pax

here you can also line up to draw omikuji, a written fortune

Boon got himself a good fortune ^^

behing Kiyomizudera's main hall stands Jishu Shrine

a shrine dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking. In front of the shrine are 2 stones(called the love stone), placed 18m apart. Those who succeed in finding their way from one to the other with their eyes closed is said to bring luck in finding love. 

 Jishu shrine

 i have no idea what is this but looks like of cool

we then walked to the other end of the temple

to get the side view of Kiyomizudera

us @ Kiyomizudera

in early April this place is also gonna be full of Cherry blossoms

 saw this cute guy with a Totoro bag...awwwww

Kiyomizudera is just breathtaking

at the base of Kyomizudera main hall

where also the Otowa Waterfall located. The history of Kiyomizudera began with the Otowa spring in 778 A.D. Since then, it became the place of worship in Kyoto. Hence the name Pure Water Temple

the Otowa Waterfall is the spring for wishes fulfilled, healthy long life. It's waters are divided into 3 separate streams and is said to have different benefit. eg: health, love, intelligence. Note: Kiyomizudera has NO comment on such belief, however all waters share the same meaning - whishes fulfillment.

It is said that drinking from all 3 steams is considered greedy

how?

there are metal cups with long handle that you use to get the spring water. don't worry they use ultra violet sterilizer on the cups 

Funny thing (was not funny at that time) happen was that we waited for like 15 minutes to drink the spring water, and i forgot to make a wish.... YEAH i FORGOT to make a wish...sucks i know but at least i quench  my thirst with the spring water, that counts for something right?

side view of the entrance gate

buddhist monk infront of Kiyomizudera

finally our group photo of the day @ Kiyomizudera :)

Hokanji temple - Yakasa pagoda. Entrance Free : 400yen/ pax

it's the 3rd highest wooden building in Kyoto after Toji and Kofukuji and this pagoda had been destroyed by fire and was rebuilt several times

not far from Kiyomizudera is Gion. Kyoto's famous Geisha district 

it is filled with shops, restaurant and tea houses, where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko ( geiko apprentice) entertain

chances to see a geisha is quite high here

menu of one of the restaurant there

if you want to have a try of Japanese Haute cuisine, Kyoto style Kaiseki ryori where you are entertained by geiko and maiko. Yes! it is expensive

we also visited Gion corner. It's really a nice way to know about the Japanese culture

2 Shows daily at 18:00 and 19:00. Admission fee: 3150yen

Note: closed on July 16, August 16 and December 29 - January 3

the 1 hour show includes Chado (Japanese Tea Ceremony), Koto (Japanese Harp), Ikebana (Flower Arrangement), Gagaku (Court Music), Kyogen (Ancient Comic Play),....

 ...Kyomai (Kyoto Style Dance) by Maiko and Geiko and Bunraku (Puppet Play)

Japan is very clean, so don't litter 

crazy wiring

some small shrine @ kawaramachi dori

shopping area

kawaramachi dori

there is also a Tourist Information @ kawaramachi dori....like i mention before that Japan's tourist information is very informative but this 1 sucks....he doesn't know anything when we asked... so Boo to Tourist information @ kawaramachi dori

some interesting buildings near Kamo River

Kamo River

Pontocho, a narrow street lined with exclusive restaurants and most restaurants are quite small that can only fit about 10-15 people but it's a nice place to dine like a Japanese though this place is crawling with tourist 

to be continue... time to have a nice dinner :)

~ ja ne ~