So very true...
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It was a raining went we arrived at the gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine. So we stopped for a couple of minutes to take a couple of photos at the gate.
Yes, this is just the "tip of the iceberg".
While waiting, I can't help but take a shoefie with my transparent umbrella.
Too bad I had to leave this at the hotel when it was time to back home. We had to bring home so many stuff already and our luggages are so full!
We loved this orange wall...
After the rain off we went to the torii gates which I will post soon! (*wink*)
One of the most peaceful and serence Rock Garden we ever saw in Kyoto is the one inside Ryoanji Temple. It was simply breathtaking!
Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺, Ryōanji) is the site of Japan's most famous rock garden, which attracts hundreds of visitors every day. Originally an aristocrat's villa during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450 and belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, whose head temple stands just a kilometer to the south. SOURCE.
As for the history of Ryoanji's famous rock garden, the facts are less certain. The garden's date of construction is unknown and there are a number of speculations regarding its designer. The garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on patches of moss. An interesting feature of the garden's design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer.SOURCE.
Here's more, there is a spacious park with pond nearby too...
Ryoanji's temple grounds also include a relatively spacious park area with pond, located below the temple's main buildings. The pond dates back to the time when the site still served as an aristocrat's villa and features a small shrine on one of its three little islands that can be accessed over a bridge.
To Get There:
Ryoanji can be reached directly from Kyoto Station by JR bus. The bus ride takes about 30 minutes, costs 230 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. There are buses every 15-30 minutes. Alternatively, Ryoanji is a five minute bus ride or 20 minute walk west of Kinkakuji.
1. Freshly Brewed Coffee
2. VDay Loots!
3. Royce Chocolatessss
4. Darkest London Series by Kristen Callihan ♥
5. Get Together with CFC Friends
6. Family Day
7. Massage Date with my Sister
8. Impromptu Bonding Time
9. Planning the Summer Vacation!
10.Gift of Family ♥
To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.
After our very interesting trip to Kinkaku-ji Temple, off we went to Ryoanji Temple.
Here are the things that we saw before entering the beautiful temple...
Watch out for my next post about this famous, beautiful Rock Garden inside Ryoanji. (*wink*)
So, it's NOW or NEVER!?
Oh yes, we should definitely "live while we're young".
HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY, everyone! (*wink*)
Our first stop on our first whole day in Kyoto was the beautiful Kinkaku-ji Temple of the Golden Pavillion
Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji was the inspiration for the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu's grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, on the other side of the city a few decades later. SOURCE.
Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955. SOURCE.
Kinkakuji was built to echo the extravagant Kitayama culture that developed in the wealthy aristocratic circles of Kyoto during Yoshimitsu's times. Each floor represents a different style of architecture. SOURCE.
I highly recommend that you visit this beauty.
How to get to Kinkaku-ji...
Kinkakuji can be accessed from Kyoto Station by direct Kyoto City Bus number 101 or 205 in about 40 minutes and for 230 yen. Alternatively, it can be faster and more reliable to take the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station (15 minutes, 260 yen) and take a taxi (10 minutes, 1000-1200 yen) or bus (10 minutes, 230 yen, bus numbers 101, 102, 204 or 205) from there to Kinkakuji.
Hubby and I woke up as early as 7AM for our first WHOLE Day in Kyoto. Yes, we were that excited! Even the rainy weather didn't put our moods down.
After all, we've been looking forward to this trip for monthssss!
Spring is like the rainy season of Japan. We didn't know this! We were just after the cherry blossoms so we didn't expect it to be this rainy.
But still, Kyoto was still a beauty.
And we are off to our first stop.
Kinkaku-ji Temple. One of my favorite temples in Kyoto. Will post more about it later! (*wink*)
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