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  1. Japan 2008

Kyoto - Day Two

On our agenda for what would be our last full day in Kyoto was Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji (Gold) Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji (Silver) Pavilion and the Sanjusangen-do Temple. As these four temples were almost literally at the four corners of Kyoto, we planned to use the bus system to get us from site to site.
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  • The Milky Way Spring, Ginga-sen

    The Milky Way Spring, Ginga-sen

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • A variation on the wishing well. If you can toss your coin into the stone bowl in the center, your prayer will be answered.

    A variation on the wishing well. If you can toss your coin into the stone bowl in the center, your prayer will be answered.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • The path takes a sharp jog around this bowl, so from the back side, here is a view of Josh trying his hand at the toss. I have to say that there is a certain attraction to donating when there is an element of chance.

    The path takes a sharp jog around this bowl, so from the back side, here is a view of Josh trying his hand at the toss. I have to say that there is a certain attraction to donating when there is an element of chance.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • After the offering bowl, we started to climb

    After the offering bowl, we started to climb

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • And climb

    And climb

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • And climb

    And climb

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Part way up our climb we could see the An-min-taku pond

    Part way up our climb we could see the An-min-taku pond

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Looking back at the way we had come

    Looking back at the way we had come

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • We continue our climb

    We continue our climb

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Looking back at the Golden Pavilion

    Looking back at the Golden Pavilion

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • The third floor of the Golden Pavilion is built in the style of a Zen temple and is known as the Kukkyôchô ("Superb Apex"). Inside is sheltered an Amida triad and 25 Bodhisattvas.

    The third floor of the Golden Pavilion is built in the style of a Zen temple and is known as the Kukkyôchô ("Superb Apex"). Inside is sheltered an Amida triad and 25 Bodhisattvas.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Josh notes a centipede crawling among the loam.

    Josh notes a centipede crawling among the loam.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • And now our walk levels out and we stroll along the rear of the Rokuon-ji Temple

    And now our walk levels out and we stroll along the rear of the Rokuon-ji Temple

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • We approach the Sekka-tei Tea House

    We approach the Sekka-tei Tea House

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • We pass a small shrine

    We pass a small shrine

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • The Fudo-do Hall, dedicated to the fire deity, Fudô Myôô (Acala)

    The Fudo-do Hall, dedicated to the fire deity, Fudô Myôô (Acala)

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Having finished with our tour, we start the long trip down.

    Having finished with our tour, we start the long trip down.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • and down

    and down

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • On our way to the bus stop, we pass a small souvenir stand

    On our way to the bus stop, we pass a small souvenir stand

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Because we were using the bus system, we were able to dictate our own schedule

    Because we were using the bus system, we were able to dictate our own schedule

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Traveling along the north side of Kyoto along the Imadegawa Dori street on our way to our third stop of the day.

    Traveling along the north side of Kyoto along the Imadegawa Dori street on our way to our third stop of the day.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Looking south as we pass the Kamo River (Kamogawa).

    Looking south as we pass the Kamo River (Kamogawa).

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Looking north on the Kamo River. Note that the river splits in two here and, visible through the bridge rails, are large stepping stones that allow pedestrians to cross the river.

    Looking north on the Kamo River. Note that the river splits in two here and, visible through the bridge rails, are large stepping stones that allow pedestrians to cross the river.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • After we got off the bus, we started our long walk to the next temple

    After we got off the bus, we started our long walk to the next temple

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Although we found a shady walk, it was still brutally hot.

    Although we found a shady walk, it was still brutally hot.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • The bus dropped us off several blocks from the temple, so we were looking at a walk of about a half mile to get to our destination.

    The bus dropped us off several blocks from the temple, so we were looking at a walk of about a half mile to get to our destination.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Fortunately, part of the walk took us among many shops and souvenir stands.

    Fortunately, part of the walk took us among many shops and souvenir stands.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • We've been walking for about 10 minutes now.

    We've been walking for about 10 minutes now.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • The little street leading up to the temple starts to get crowded

    The little street leading up to the temple starts to get crowded

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Notice the Disney on Tour sign :)

    Notice the Disney on Tour sign :)

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • 15 minutes since we got off the bus and we are almost to the temple.

    15 minutes since we got off the bus and we are almost to the temple.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • For our third stop, we had decided on the Ginkakuji (Silver) Temple.

    For our third stop, we had decided on the Ginkakuji (Silver) Temple.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • This is an overview of the main part of our visit to the Ginkakuji Temple. In total, we ended up walking about 1.5 miles, a half mile each way between the bus stop and the temple and a half mile walking the temple grounds.

    This is an overview of the main part of our visit to the Ginkakuji Temple. In total, we ended up walking about 1.5 miles, a half mile each way between the bus stop and the temple and a half mile walking the temple grounds.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • A look back at the shops as we step into the temple entrance.

    A look back at the shops as we step into the temple entrance.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • A brief view of the initial part of our walk. Initially we traveled along this 165 foot (50 meter) pathway between the main gate and the inner gate lined with a distinctive type of bamboo fencing.

    A brief view of the initial part of our walk. Initially we traveled along this 165 foot (50 meter) pathway between the main gate and the inner gate lined with a distinctive type of bamboo fencing.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Josh takes a few photos of the various aspects of the sand garden (called karesansui).

    Josh takes a few photos of the various aspects of the sand garden (called karesansui).

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • The rocks symbolize mountains in this miniaturized landscape.

    The rocks symbolize mountains in this miniaturized landscape.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Think of the scrubs as vast forests.

    Think of the scrubs as vast forests.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Unfortunately, the Silver Pavilion itself was under renovation

    Unfortunately, the Silver Pavilion itself was under renovation

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • A sign next to the temple gives us an idea of how it should look.

    A sign next to the temple gives us an idea of how it should look.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • The Hôjô is the main temple building (Hondô) of Ginkaku-ji and dates to the mid-Edo period

    The Hôjô is the main temple building (Hondô) of Ginkaku-ji and dates to the mid-Edo period

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • As we walk, we see a small shrine off to one side.

    As we walk, we see a small shrine off to one side.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • This is the Kôgetsudai, the Moon-Viewing Platform. The idea here is that an observer would sit on this mound while waiting for the moon to rise from the Higashiyama mountains.

    This is the Kôgetsudai, the Moon-Viewing Platform. The idea here is that an observer would sit on this mound while waiting for the moon to rise from the Higashiyama mountains.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • The Sea of Silver Sand (Ginshadan) would reflect the light of the moon as one watched the moon rise while sitting on the top of Moon Viewing Platform.

    The Sea of Silver Sand (Ginshadan) would reflect the light of the moon as one watched the moon rise while sitting on the top of Moon Viewing Platform.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • Another view of the Sea of Silver Sand

    Another view of the Sea of Silver Sand

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • On the other side of the walkway, this little rock garden separated two buildings.

    On the other side of the walkway, this little rock garden separated two buildings.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • we finally see one of the cicada, that we hear chirping almost everywhere we go.

    we finally see one of the cicada, that we hear chirping almost everywhere we go.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

  • A little herb garden, with plants likely used for landscaping in the rock gardens.

    A little herb garden, with plants likely used for landscaping in the rock gardens.

    kyotojapanTravelogue

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