KYOTO

Pete and I started our day a little earlier today as we wanted to get to Kyoto's most famous site before it got too crowded. We caught the subway to Kyoto Station and then another train to Fushimi Inari-Taisha. This is the first gate to the famous shrine.

That's me with the umbrella....Fushimi Inari-Taisha was dedicated to the gods of rice and sake in the 8th century. It is one of Japan's most popular shrines. Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine with which all the other Inari shrines (30,000 in Japan) are affiliated.

A pathway wanders 4 Km up the mountain. The pathway is called the Sen-bon-torrii...there are 10000 Torii...also there are hundreds of sub-shrines and fox statues. The fox is considered the messenger of the Inari, the god of rice

Looking back at the crowd entering the shrine.

....the forest was beautiful ...

A view of Tokyo halfway up the mountain...we were thankful that is was so clear....

Yep, lots of steps....

In Japan, the red (orange) gate , known as a tore is a symbol of the transition from the mundane, human world to a sacred, spiritual realm. The primary function of any tori gate regardless of colour , is to mark the entrance to a Shinto shrine.

What an amazing walk....

Next...we caught a train and then a bus to another well known temple in Kyoto ....Kiyomizu-dera. It is built around a holy spring (kiyomizu means "pure water"). It was first built in the 8th century but was reconstructed in 1633. There are a number of different buildings. In addition to halls holding fine Buddhist images, the complex includes a Shinto shrine .

Looking back at the very crowded street that we had walked up. There were so many shops where you could hire a kimono, buy something to eat or drink, buy souvenirs or delicate Japanese ceramics. 

There were so many women in kimonos....having their photo taken....

Incense .....

Restaurants in the temple grounds...

The main building features a huge verandah that juts out over the hillside, supported by 139 15m - high wooden pillars (they looked awesome up close).

We stopped and peeped into some of the shops on the way down from the temple...such exquisite crockery...

The Kamo River that we walked over on our way to the train station.

Lunch at Daniel's in the restaurant area of the Kyoto Train Station...great Italian food...then we headed home. On the trains and buses we saw so much of Kyoto...and the people that live there.

 

KYOTO

As we expected, it rained today so Pete and I tried to stay dry, no outdoor sightseeing. We caught the subway to Kyoto Station where we had arrived on Wednesday on the Shinkansen. The station is enormous....

Looking up....this is the ceiling, where the yellow lights are shining is the Skywalk which Pete and I walked.

You have to walk up these stairs or escalators ....

...this is the walk....

...amazing views of Kyoto and the Skytower...

Looking from the other end of the station....

The department store Isetan is part of the station building ...it has 11 floors...Pete and I spent some time browsing the clothing floors ....

Then stopped to have a coffee and donut whilst watching the travellers in the station....

After doing some shopping in Kyoto's Uniqlo we caught the train to the Nishiki Market. Nishiki is commonly known as Kyoto's kitten by the locals. It is the place to see the weird and wonderful foods that go into Kyoto cuisine.

There were other shops too, selling Kyoto-style souvenirs, clothing, shoes and...

...Japanese fabrics 

It was the most beautiful store....I bought some fabrics ....

Look how many men were interested!

There is so much advertising in Kyoto (maybe in all of Japan)....there is lots on the inside walls of the subway trains and even on the handles ....Although it rained all day Pete and I were pleased that we had a great time seeing more of Kyoto and the people who live here.

 

KYOTO

Blue sky this morning ...we decided to visit the temples and gardens of Kyoto as rain is forecast for tomorrow. Pete and I were waiting at a bus stop when I took this photo...most of the cars that we have seen in Japan look like these cars....

Our first bus ride...I'd say it was more enjoyable than the subway...

Noticing the trees as I walk along the footpath ....

The Rock Garden of the Ryoanji Temple. It is a rectangular Zen garden...only 15 rocks and white gravel. The walls are made of clay boiled in oil. The internationally famous rock garden was said to have been created around 1500 by a highly respected Zen monk, Tokuho Zenketsu.

The Ryoanji Temple....it was registered as a World Heritage  Site in 1994.

Beautiful gardens surround the temple...

Pine trees that have been pruned Japanese style...

Kyoyochi Pond : The pond was made in the late 12th century....

....looking up...

Our next visit was to the Rokuon-ji Temple, commonly known as Kinkaku-ji ....it is a Zen Temple of Buddhist denomination. It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. 

It is often call the Golden Pavilion as the three story pavilion is covered in bright gold leaf and features a bronze phoenix on top of the roof. The pond is called the Kyo-ko pond. 

The grounds around Kinkaku-ji are spacious and include another pond and stunning gardens.

Before jumping on a bus to our next destination we spotted this coffee shop...had a rest and a cup of coffee...the coffee has been pretty good here in Japan.

The entrance to the Kyoto Botanical Gardens ...

A bronze sculpture of a sumo wrestler...

The Kyoto Botanical Gardens is the oldest and most comprehensive biological garden in Japan.  Above is their Conservatory ...

One of the many lilies in the pond..

There were some amazing plants in the Conservatory...

We spent some time walking around the other areas in the gardens..

The final place that we wanted to visit today was Kyoto Imperial Palace (above) and the surrounding buildings and gardens. The Kyoto Imperial Palace was the residence of the Japanese emperors until 1869, when the capital was moved to Tokyo. The history of the Palace can be traced back to the late 8th century.....mind boggling.

The Gonaitei Garden....This elegant garden was exquisitely designed with the meandering stream spanned by earthen and stone bridges as well as lanterns and stones. It was so still, delightful reflections.

So much history...and we only touched the tip of an iceberg today....I really enjoyed seeing these amazing places, especially the gardens...

After eating rather large beautifully prepared meals whilst walking the Nakasendo, Pete and I have been quite happy to pick up a small prepared meal for dinner from the local 7 Eleven or supermarket (highly recommended by my children). 

Our little treat at night....we have discovered these KitKats made of dark chocolate....yummy!