Our first day in Kyoto
I had spent months researching the temples and shrines of Kyoto on how Josh and I could best experience the history of this city. The last time I was here with Jennifer, we had come completely unprepared and ended up taking several arranged bus tours (which actually worked out quite well). However, the one downside was that we had to match the timetable of each tour and could not linger if we found something interesting. This time, using the experience from our first trip, I wanted to be able to take our time, travel on our own schedule and be free to explore or move on at will.
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.
Read MoreI 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.
One of the main features of the Jishu Shrine are the two love stones which are spaced 18 meters apart. The legend says that if you can walk unassisted from the first stone to the second, your love will come soon, otherwise it will take a long time. Someone, including your own love, can help you along the way, but that means you will need an intermediator to achieve your love.