Kyoto

Kyoto is full of tourists, both Japanese and international. Most schools in this country send 2nd-year high schoolers on a required trip to the temples and historical sites of Kyoto. Later in life, many Japanese people return to Kyoto and the Kansai region to learn more about their own cultural heritage. I liked the ladies in kimonos, protecting their skin from the sun with UV umbrellas and lady-like white gloves.

I was excited to be traveling in a warm, less-modest climate and was bold enough to wear a skirt with BARE LEGS! (shock!) Hello Kitty approves. Yay tourists!

First, Kyoto-style okonomiyaki. Spicy sauce on top with cheese. Very good.



Perhaps the most famous site in Kyoto is Kinkakku-ji, or the Golden Pavillion. This Zen temple was first built in 1397. In 1950 a fanatic novice monk burned it to the ground (believing its aesthetic qualities distracted from religious focus) and in 1955 it was rebuilt with even more gold leaf. It is a special place, but being as we saw it in the peak tourist season it was difficult to experience 'zen' there. However, the beauty of this temple inspired us, and Nick proposed to me in front of the painting of the Golden Pavillion, a week later in (much quieter!) Hokkaido.


Sanjusangendo was probably my favorite tourist spot in Kyoto. Although perhaps not the most famous attraction, I deeply appreciated the awed religious energy that filled the site: no tourists are allowed to take pictures inside, and nearly no one spoke. This temple was built in 1164 and dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of Mercy. Inside the temple are 1001 unique life-size wooden statues of Kannon. I was moved to tears by the beauty of each of these works of art, lined up in rows flanking one huge Kannon. (Photo from http://www.taleofgenji.org/)

This is part of the outer gate surrounding the temple grounds.

Sanjusangendo is the longest wooden building in Japan (to house all those statues), and for hundreds of years there has been an archery competition during which archers shoot arrows the length of the hall. The record was set in 1686 when an archer successfully shot over 8000 arrows during a 24-hour period.


Kiyomizu-dera is a lovely temple complex in the hills overlooking the city of Kyoto. It was first built in 798. The main hall (pictured below) famously juts out over the hillside, supported by hundreds of pillars.

The waters here are famous for their healing properties.

An old cemetery on the grounds of Kiyomizu-dera. We liked the gravestone of the loving couple! If you're wondering, it is common in Japan to see stone Buddahs wearing red apron-like things or even showercaps, which I presume are to protect erosion of the stone.

Mom and I drank from the theraputic waters of Otowa-no-taki at Kiyomizu Temple. It is said to cure headaches, among other ailments!