Kyoto, temples, gardens and pavilion

Started off this morning by taking a train to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. I had read that this can be very busy and not very long. Pleasantly surprised that when you get an early start it is not too busy, and it is much longer than I thought. On the way down from the bamboo grove we came across the Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO zen temple and garden. Flowers and trees are just starting to bloom, it is going to be beautiful in another couple of weeks. This temple is the most important temple in this district, ranked first among the city's five great zen temples. It was built in 1339, amazing.

Next we walked to the Togetsukyo Bridge which crosses the Katsura River. Believed to be first built by a monk in 834 to 848, the one we saw today and is still in use is from 1934, called the Moon Crossing Bridge. Lots of people are visiting now, so much busier than when we first got to this area.

We then travel to the Kinkakyu-ji Temple, or The Golden Pavilion. The top 2 story pavilion is completely covered in gold leaf. It was originally a 14^th century shogun's villa, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautiful reflections of the temple in a pond. Again nice gardens to walk through and around.

We walked to our final temple visit this afternoon called Ryoan-ji Temple. This temple is famous for its Zen rock garden made up of 15 stones and white sand to express the world of Zen. We had to remove our shoes to go through the temple to visit the rock garden. A place to sit and admire the rock garden as well. Another UNESCO World Heritage site.

Back to our hotel to do a laundry and rest up a bit, laundry is going on 3 hours, urgh.

Tonight we spent walking around the Kyoto train station. Sounds like nothing but this station is huge. There is a Great Staircase with 171 steps that has LED light shows at night. You need to go to the very top 11^th floor to see this. A cool Skyway tunnel that you walk through that lights up. We also walked through the 10^th floor Ramen Alley. Lots of great views of the Kyoto tower lit up. We were up walking around the 11^th floor for quite a while. A very impressive lego of the building, and a nice small art gallery. There is lots and lots of shopping as well, we spent about 1.5 hours just exploring the station. 

Stopped on the way back to a big grocery store near where Heather is staying to get something for supper

steps 25,000 / 15.6 kms

Starting off the day, might be the only Geisha we see on this trip

Stop sign is kind of like an upside down yield sign in red

Small temple on our walk to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Playing traditional instrument

some early blossom at Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO zen temple and garden

Tenryu-ji Temple is the most important temple in this district, ranked first among the citys five great zen temples. It was built in 1339

Togetsukyo Bridge which crosses the Katsura River. Believed to be first built by a monk in 834 to 848

Entrance at the Golden Pavillion

Our entry ticket

Kinkakyu-ji Temple, or The Golden Pavilion. The top 2 story pavilion is completely covered in gold leaf

a small waterfall with a bamboo staircase

Trying to throw coins in a small bowl

Map of Ryoan-ji Temple. 

This temple is famous for its Zen rock garden made up of 15 stones and white sand to express the world of Zen.

Inside the temple

The entrance to the temple

Another temple we passed by

Kyoto tower

At the train station

Chain restaurant near the train station, cheap place to eat

Replica lit up at night

Great Staircase with 171 steps that has LED light shows at night.

Views from the 11th floor down do the train station

Views of Kyoto from the 11th floor

Skyway Tunnel

Kyoto Tower from inside the station

Wall projection

Huge lego of building

What kind of raman do you want for supper?

My sushi supper, $7 Cdn, we were late getting to the store so it was on sale for $3.50 Cdn

My ice cream cone had the cone part in this little container in the freezer, great idea, it wasn't broken!