On my second leg in Kyoto I’ll be visiting Toji Temple, Nijo Castle, Tenruji Temple with it’s magnificent bamboo forest and finally the beautiful Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). There were a couple places I would have liked to squeeze into the schedule but my time restriction wouldn’t allow me to see it all. Just a couple minutes away from Kyoto station was the Toji Temple which clenches japans tallest wooden pagoda at five stories high.
Dated back to 768, this is one of the oldest still standing structures which I came across in Japan; and might I add the oldest and most run down unkempt structure too. Maybe if I had looked past the ugly rainy weather it could have swayed my vote, but I just found the pagoda and temple neglected . I wouldn’t recommend coming here unless you wanted to see what nature can do to a wooden building over the centuries, then you’ve came to the right place.
Nijo Castle, aka Tokugawa Shogun headquarters was definitely on my list of must sees in Kyoto. To impress visitors the castle was more palace then fortress, with defenses designed for looks rather than combat. Despite the facade of a fortress with its moat, stonewall, barricades; it was the headquarters for some of the deadliest shogun for over 700 years – sure hope it doesn’t disappoint!
A couple striking features about the castle would an extensive garden, designed by the renowned gardener Kobori Enshu, that’s famous in its own right. The garden features a small waterfall which drains into a pond with three islands designed with numerous carefully placed stones and topiary pine trees. Another was the nightingale floors placed within Ninomaru Palace. To protect occupants from treachery and assassination, the builders constructed the floors of the corridors in such a way they would squeak at the lightest pressure. And finally all the exquisite examples of lavish design and decor, including the wood carvings above the sliding doors, metal fixtures, and ceiling paintings. Building and paintings have miraculously survived since the 17th century and shows how rich and powerful the shogun lived.
Tenryuji Temple is located in the west Kyoto region. It’s also referred to as a Zen temple, which means -A school of Mahayana Buddhism that asserts that enlightenment can be attained through meditation, self-contemplation, and intuition rather than through faith and devotion and that is practiced mainly in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.This temple has much controversial history, but I won’t go into it as I don’t want to bore you with buddhism102. The temple showcases a magnificent garden, and should be visited just for this.
Although not all that exciting during winter, it’s best viewed during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Just behind the head priests quarters, a large empty veranda looks out onto the garden. Raised just 3 feet off the ground, this is the best place to walk out into and view the stunning man made landscape. The view was just like a painting; the calm pond admires itself image through it’s reflection, rocks placed and sculptured to form the forefront of islands and in the distance trees flurish with spectacular vibrant coats to render the beautiful landscape. All was so unreal; like a chameleon, the painting changes to the seasons choosing. Japanese gardening at it’s finest.
Outside the temple’s exit along the Okochi Sanso trail, Kyoto’s popular bamboo forest. Another place I wouldn’t miss to visit, even if it meant extending my stay. The bamboo seer length was amazing, their trunks extended to the sky blocking out parts of the sun. I couldn’t help but stand there with my mouth wide open; no question that my stay here exceeded allotted time, but when a scene like this doesn’t register with reality so it makes you appreciate it even more.
Waiting for a bus in Kinkuji, I walked into this cute shop called, Lil’ Orbits. The friendly none English speaking girls whipped up their creation of ice cream, sprinkles, hot fudge and mini donuts on top. All finished off with a cute logo and a plastic spork.
My last stop was at Kinkakuji the Golden Pavilion. It’s only a two story temple, but the whole top floor is covered in gold leaf! It’s situated around a magnificent garden and ontop of a mirror pond, called a Kyōko-chi.
Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺 ,Kinkaku-ji) or “Golden Pavilion Temple” is the informal name of Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺 ,Rokuon-ji) or “Deer Garden Temple” in Kyoto, Japan. It was originally built in 1397 to serve as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, as part of his estate then known as Kitayama.[1] It was his son who converted the building into a Zen temple of the Rinzai school. The temple was burned down twice during the Ōnin War. The Golden Pavilion, or Kinkaku, is a three-story building on the grounds of the Rokuon-ji temple complex. The top two stories of the pavilion are covered with pure gold leaf. The pavilion functions as a shariden, housing relics of the Buddha (Buddha’s Ashes). The top floor is built in traditional Chinese Cha’an style, also known as Zen shu butsuden zukuri; and the middle floor in the style of warrior aristocrats, or Buke zukuri. The ground floor is rendered in shinden-zukuri-style, reminiscent of the residential style of the Heian imperial aristocracy without gold leaf. The building is often linked or contrasted with Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion Temple, which is also located in Kyoto. – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji.
I was told you couldn’t get a bad photo here because the whole layout was picturesque. I think this has to be one of my favourite photos from the trip! I was hoping to get some snowy photos of the golden pavilion, but I think mine turned out phenomenal non the less! If I had more time just 10 minutes walk is the Ryoanji Temple; famous for it’s rock garden.
My departure from Kyoto was 8:48 and I arrived in Odayama at 10:45! Because of the late arrival, it was hard to find a vacant room, let alone even an open hotel. I was fortunate to find one at 11:50, just 10 minutes before front desk closed! After a nice shower, I layed on the bed and watch Japanese game shows to sleep.
I like these pictures the best! I was there at the Nijo Castle last year, too. I don’t have those nice pics you took though.