This morning we set out on our own at 10:00 am and took the train to Kyoto. Replacing Nara as the capital of Japan, Kyoto was the centre of government for over 1000 years before the capital shifted to Tokyo. It is the place for all Japanese tourists (and world travelers) to visit. Kyoto is likely best known to the world for another reason: climate change. Because of the global meetings on climate change held in the city in 1997 and the implications that the implementation of these regulations has had on the economy the word Kyoto has become a negative one. The mention of Kyoto in Canada often carries negative connotations as well - often from the oil rich western provinces. Our observations of Kyoto thus far have been quite the opposite!
Our first experience in Kyoto was at the train station. This building, completed in 1997
is one of Japan's largest buildings. In addition to accommodating rail traffic (subway, regular train and bullet train) the station also has a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, and department store all under one fifteen-story roof.
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Inside (left) and out (below), the Kyoto Station is an impressive building. |
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After dropping our bags off at our hotel, we headed right out to see some temples. Kyoto is known for many historical buildings dating back hundreds of years, so on this afternoon we sought to visit 3 in the north end of the city.
Our first stop was Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Built in 1220, Kinkaku-ji is a Zen temple which gets it's nickname due to the awe inspiring sigh of it's golden walls covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer. Kinkaku-ji was designated as a world cultural heritage site in 1994.
Kinkaku-ji as seen from across the pond |
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We next walked about 20 minutes south to Ryoan-ji, a temple with famous gardens, especially a Zen rock garden. Constructed in the middle ages, the rectangular garden consisting of only 15 rocks surrounded by white gravel is a peaceful site to behold. We were told that there is no specific significance to the formation of the rocks, instead it is up to each visitor to determine what this unique garden signifies for them. Jill was more worried about falling into the garden as we walked by, disturbing the near perfect lines made with the gravel stones.
Also at Ryoan-ji is a famous stone wash basin which has a unique inscription "I learn only to be contented." This concept is important to Zen philosophy, but so far in our day, we were also quite content with all we had seen and experienced.
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Above: The setting sun creeps over the Rock Garden at Ryoan-ji.
Right: The pond with a beautiful stone bridge at Ryoan-ji.
Below: The famous stone wash basin with the inscription "I learn only to be contented." |
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The last stop on our temple tour for the day was Ninna-ji a large Omura-ha Shingon Buddhist temple complex. Hopefully by now, if you're still reading you have noticed that the Japanese word 'ji' means temple (that's why we haven't said the Ninna-temple temple yet). Ninna-ji was founded in 888 by the Emperor Uda and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From 888 to 1869 it was traditional for reigning Emperors to send a son to the temple to take over as head priest when a vacancy arose. Below are pictures entering the complex (first) and exiting the complex through the huge wooden gate (far below). We also witnessed an interesting ceremony of some Buddhist monks in front of one of the temples which we will add (including video) at a later date.
A day of temple upon temple really tuckered us out, lots of walking! We had a nice dinner in one of the Station's many restaurants, then headed back to the hotel to get some rest for our walking tour (yeah, more walking) tomorrow, it should be a great time.
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Right: Chris stretching out in front of a gate to a Shinto shrine
Below: the city of Kyoto and the Kyoto tower light up at night |
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