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Published: February 19th 2006
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Kinkakuji
The Golden Pavillion. Look at that reflection on the water... simply beautiful... SUGOI!! (wow)...
Kyoto is really really pretty... Yuya (host brother) took me to Kyoto today and it was both of our first times to see: Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji and Ryoanji... It's just so serene, beautiful and simply amazing. Next time, I'm going to go when it's cherry blossom season... and I also want to see the temples again but at night - they must be GORGEOUS!
Kinkakuji The Golden Pavillion... words really can't describe the serenity and the beauty of that building. As the pictures show, the buidling is gold! Yes, it's actually covered in gold! Initially a residence for a retiring shogun, the Kinkakuji was converted to a Zen Temple. The entrance fee was 400 Yen - I'm guessing for upkeep and what not... Of course, I bought a couple postcards - so you lucky few will be receiving one in a week or so... (I'm trying to send as many people at least one postcard from Japan during my stay here - if you want one, TELL ME!) Kinkakuji is in the northern part of Kyoto; quite a bus ride away from downtown Kyoto. The next place we went was relatively close, not more than a five minute
bus ride west of Kinkakuji...
Ryoanji Yes, it's another temple... But it's rather famous for its rock garden. Unfortunately, they were doing some construction on the walls surrounding the garden, so it wasn't as impressive as you would think. As compensation, another area of the Ryoanji was opened to visitors when it normally isn't. Generally, the Ryoanji landscaping was what got me... the grounds were covered with moss, large rocks so meticulously placed (either by nature or man), trees and plants that you'd probably only find in Japan, and little stone pathways that lead you to more gorgeous scenery. I wish that I was able to capture what I saw on camera, but it was really the experience that made me go, "ooh and ahhh"... everything was just beautiful and perfect.
Ginkakuji Ginkakuji, Kinkakuji... gets a little confusing doesn't it? Well, to the Japanese, it's quite different. The 'gin' in Ginkakuji means silver, and the 'kin' in Kinkakuji means gold. I'm sure I wouldn't mix up silver and gold... But the rest of the name is the same... the 'kaku' kanji is tower, and the 'ji' kanji is temple (which is how you can tell the place of
visit is a temple - there's 'ji' at the end!). If I am correct, the temple ('ji') kanji is the same as the one in Fukuji... (please correct me if I'm wrong b/c I've been writing that on all my homework assignments!) Anyway, enough with the Nihongo lesson, back to my sightseeing... Ginkakuji is pretty far from Kinkakuji and Ryoanji - it is in the Eastern part of Kyoto. The Eastern part of Kyoto also has this path called "tetsugaku no michi" - 'michi' = road, 'testugaku' = philosophy, 'no' makes it possessive so... philosophy's road or the road of philosophy. But anyway, it's known for cherry blossom viewing... so definitely going there again once March arrives. =) So on our way to Ginkakuji we saw a rickshaw - old school taxis. To get pulled up the hill to Ginkakuji was 3000 yen (a little under $30). So crazy! What a way to get a workout! However, it was more fun to walk up the hill because there were all these little shops with souveniers, omiyage and Kyoto delicacies. =) On our way back down we stopped for some - of course. Ginkakuji was okay. The building wasn't as impressive
Kyoyochi Pond
Ryoanji Pond - man made in the late 12th century... as the grounds and the view. Kinkakuji's building and lake was amazing, but I don't know if it can beat Ginkakuji's gorgeous view.
Daimonji I'm not too well educated on what Daimonji really is... but it has something to do with Japan's Obon period in August where nihonjin honor the dead. But Daimonji consists of five mountains with inscriptions such as the one pictured and they are actually HUGE bonfires. If you can imagine the 'dai' kanji (meaning big) glowing bright red in the dark of the night. Unfortunately I won't be here to see it, but I hear it's quite a sight.
There were many more pictures that I took and it was really hard to choose the best ones. But next time, I'll write about my date with okaasan. =) I hope you guys enjoy the pictures I chose. I took many so that I could attempt to capture the beauty - but unfortunately I'm no photographer. =( gomen ne... Well, I'll write again soon! Take care everyone!
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deleted_7871
deleted_7871
looking great
wow.. you're like an expert on japanese landscape and historical monuments now! it looks like you're having a blast. schools going good though too i hope :) the food, the people, and the culture, they all meshing to your own life alright? I sure hope so, but yea, just keep on having fun and letting us know everything that goes on! o yea, i wanna see more pics of your host family so if you get a chance, that'd be awesome! take care lex