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Published: July 27th 2006
Rockstars. That is what Sarah and I are. We saw 7 sites in Kyoto today from one end of the city to the other.
The day started with a 500 yen (not 500 dollar) bus pass. We left our hotel and stopped first at Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Temple. This Buddhist shrine is set in a small pond and is covered with gold leaf. Its pretty. Its really pretty. The reflection in the water was cool.
From there we walked to the most FAMOUS of Zen gardens - Ryoanji. This is a Buddhist temple with what most consider the best rock gardens. Picture 15 rocks set in raked gravel. The idea is that by contemplating about the rocks you can achieve enlightenment.
Stop 3 was the Nijo-jo or Nijo Castle. This 16th century fortress was the home of the shogun who ruled Kyoto and Southern Japan at the time. The coolest part about this structure was the creaky floors or Nightengale floors. The wood floors were intentionally built to creak when walked upon to alert those that a visitor (or sneak attack) was coming. They sound super cool when you step on them.
After a quick Japanesse
lunch we went to the Imperial Palace. This is strictly guarded and there wasnt much to see. Just a big compound in the middle of a central park type area. With just a few hours left in the day, we kicked it up a notch and hit there more temples.
The Sliver Temple, Ginkaku-ji, was built by the grandson of Kinkaku-ji emperor and was originally intended to be covered in silver leaf but was never finished. There is a zen garden in front of this structure, a starke contrast to the pond infront of the golden temple.
Off to Sanjusangendo. A Buddist temple with 1000 statues of Bodhisattvas surrounding the central buddha. Each had a unique face, 40 arms and 11 heads made of some sort of dirty metal. The building was initally brightly painted in blue, red and green and the statues were probably shiny. We both got our ojimiku (fortunes). Dont worry, our fortunes are "good" and our journey will be "agreeable". Overall --- Way Cool.
We finished the day at Kiyomizudera. This was Robbie's favorite. It was high upon a hill (but there were no sounds of music) in the southeastern part of the
Nijo Castle Gate
No photos could be taken inside :(city. It was big. It was neat. There was lots of nature everywhere and an awesome view of the city. Robbie even drank the special spring water from the special spring thats only special cause its really old and everyone in Japan says so.
After such a busy day of sightseeing (and sightseeing only stuff that Sarah had already seen once or twice before), we ended the day with McDonald's and a quick trip to The Gap. And all was right in Sarah's world again 😊
Tomorrow we depart from Kyoto and back to Fukuoka where Sarah has left her mind and her sanity (we are going to need that if we are ever to survive in China). Cross your fingers that we find it!
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Mom
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I'm jealous!
I finally have some time to look at the blog but only becuase I didn't walk this morning - it has been raining for over 3 hours- straight!! I'm remembering some of the places you visited in Kyoto. It's a great city. Did you get to Nara?? Off to Pinetop with Jo Ann and Cindy - I'll be sure to show them this site! All is well here. Have a great time!!