It was 25th November. The weather was icy cold. We found ourselves shivering despite being wrapped in who-knows how many layers of clothes. The thermometer in the living room indicated that the outside temperature was merely 7 degrees centigrade. Were we able to take up the challenge of walking along the streets, visiting temples one after another in such intolerable weather? We did not have much choice but to feed ourselves till the brim to provide more heat energy for our mission to be accomplished. As what was planned on the day before, we would be taking the kintetsu train again to Kyoto (京都), the eternal ancient capital with 1,200 years of history. Being the former imperial capital of Japan, Kyoto remains as a home of heart of Japan. Today, Kyoto is the capital of Kyoto Prefecture. Like what was mentioned earlier in the Kobe post, Kyoto is also part of the Keihanshin (京阪神)metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe.
Kiyomizu-dera's main building and its stage
The veranda of Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)
"Ema" the votive tablets (絵馬) are wooden plaques used by Shinto worshippers to write their wishes and hang up at the shrine. It is believed that the kami (spirits or gods) will receive and grant their wishes.
Torii of Jishu-jinja, a matchmaking shrine
More "ema" are seen along the road
Kiyomizu-dera in autumn
Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), also known as Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺), is an independent Buddhist temple
Visitors drinking at the Otowa-no-taki waterfall for health, longevity, and success in studies
Wearing the same colour as the pagoda and the autumn leaves... haha
Rear view of pagoda and the niōmon (deva gate)
The experience of riding on a rickshaw can really cost you a fortune
Kodai-ji (高台寺) - a temple of the Rinzai School of Zen Buddhism in Higashiyama-ku
The rickshaw boy waiting for his customers
Hanamachi (花街) (literally means "flower street") - a Japanese courtesan and geisha district
Hanami-koji (花见小路)
Maiko
The Kyoto Theatre
Sanjūsangendō (三十三間堂) is a Buddhist temple with thousands of Buddha statues
Coming up: Kyoto Food Trail
wow ! I like tis place XD ( d most )
ReplyDeleteHui Yin:
ReplyDeletePack your bags and go to Japan after your last paper.
Hi Ming Na.. cannot sleep..so come visiting you here.. i dont remember coming to this place..looks nice too! yes, i remember tahan-ing the japan weather..but not this korea! all negative celcius.. gosh!
ReplyDeleteClaire:
ReplyDeletePity u Claire... Your endurance is paid off, cos you have seen so much in Korea. Worth it, huh?
Can't wait to look at your pictures.
Ming Na: Japan is absolutely a great place to visit again!
ReplyDeleteAngeline:
ReplyDeleteI like Japan very much!