Our first day in Kyoto
I found an interesting resource with the Japan National Tourist Organization which outlined a spiritual walking tour of eastern Kyoto among other things. It had intriguing directions like "At the spice shop, make right to a narrow lane called Sannenzaka Lane" which suited me just fine. So armed with these sometimes cryptic directions, we started off.
With our spiritual journey in mind, the bus dropped us off at the Gojizaka stop at 8 in the morning and we started on our way. Because we were still waking up extremely early due to the time change, we were wide awake and eager to see what Kyoto had in store for us.
Although most of the shops were closed at this early hour, there was one small shop open
The shop was selling ceramics of various shapes and sizes
We continued our hike up Gojizaka Street. For the moment, the temperature was still mild, but we knew it would soon get brutally hot.
Periodically we would find convenient maps like this one where the red pointer shows your current location. With this sign, we determine that we will need to turn right at the next street up ahead to continue our climb to the temple.
We start our long climb up the Kiyomizuzaka Slope
My video introduction to this first part of our trip. Please forgive my awkward pronunciation of the Kiyomizu-dera temple
Along the way we see Tanuki Kami off to the side. He is sort of a raccoon monk with a straw hat, a sake jug and, um, well, a rather large distinguishing feature that is so huge that it drags the ground ^_^
We pass by an ancient staircase detour to the right, as we continue towards the temple
Our walk was filled with many sights, ranging from the modest to enormous vistas. As an example of this, a small Buddha statue helps to set the mood for the Buddhist temple up ahead
Another map shows us closing in on our goal (The upper red pointer)
We reach the top of the hill and prepare for our real climb
The first of many stairs yet to climb
Looking down Kiyomizuzaka Slope with Kyoto off in the distance
A closer view of Kiyomizuzaka Slope
John (me on left) and my son Josh as we take a moment to rest.
Up ahead of us is Nio-Mon, Gate of the Devo Kings
Before us is the Nio-Mon, Gate of the Devo Kings. These Diamond Warriors stand within the enclosures to either side of the gate fulfilling their roles as guardian deities of the Buddha.
An overview of Kiyomizu-dera geotagged with the locations where we took photos. To get you started, the Devo Kings Gate pictured above is in the upper left corner of this map. Remember, you can get your own map just by clicking the "Map This" button at the top of the page. The red line is just a chalk-line snapped between photos, but it does show roughly the path that we took.
A video describing the climbing that we've done so far and the anticipation of what awaits us ahead
We prepare to enter the Gate of the Devo Kings
Inside the Nio-Mon gate, we look towards the Kiyomizu-Dera temple
Stone lanterns provided illumination in the centuries before electricity
We continue our spiritual climb
Off to the right is the Shoro (bell tower). The bell itself dates from 1478.
Looking back at Kyoto, we've now climbed about 200 feet above our starting elevation from the bus stop and about 400 feet above our hotel
Here we see a display of ema, Japanese prayer plaques
A closer view of some of the ema plaques
The ema plaques are in a variety of languages
Some are even in English
As we continue our walk, we come up to Sanju-No-To, a three-storied pagoda, the largest of its kind in Japan
We found these small figures around the pagoda
Josh stands in the shadows of the pagoda
Within the pagoda is an image of Dainichi Nyorai, the Great Sun Buddha
Looking back at Kyoto from the pagoda
A video where we stop to admire the view of Kyoto before continuing on our way. We were two froods who knew where our towels are. Ford Prefect would be proud.
Two more stone lanterns below us
Between the lanterns stands a stone
More tourists show up as we look back
A view of the lush woods and mountains
A plaque explaining the nature of Kiyomizu-Dera
Ahead of us is Todoroki-Mon, the Middle gate resounding the call to the Buddha's Teachings. To the left is Kaisan-Do, the Founder's Hall
Before we enter the middle gate, we take a small detour to the left. To the right is the Founder's Hall.
As we head down this detour, we look down this path to the right. To the right is the back of the Founder's Hall.
We approach Kita So-Mon, the North Gate.
Beyond the gate are stone monuments dedicated to Gessho and Shinkai, 24th and 25th abbots of Joju-in.
One of the smaller plaques to the right
A wider view of the monument