Boasting 17 World Heritage sites and a stunning array of Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines, Kyoto is a treasure house of Japanese history and culture. A journey to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital is to take a step back in time and to experience the essence of Japanese culture. From ancient temples and shrines, its cultural refinement and grace, complimented by abundant natural beauty, beckon you to delve first-hand into the wonders and charm where the past comes alive. Hiring a local guide Tomoko for the day to explore the most beautiful Kyoto temples and shrines, we traversed the city beginning with Fushimi Inari-Taisha with its magical, seemingly unending arcade of over 5000 vibrant orange torii gates that wind across the thickly wooded mountain, this vast shrine complex is a world unto its own. Dedicated to the god of rice and sake in the 8th-century, the shrine also features dozens of statues of foxes with keys often seen in their mouths which are keys to granaries.
On our way to Ginkaku-ji, we strolled by Philosophers Walk which takes its name from one of its most famous strollers, the 20th-century philosopher Nishida Kitarō, who is said to have meandered lost in thought along the path. Home to a sumptuous garden and elegant structures, Ginkaku-ji is one of Kyoto's premier Buddhist temples. The temple started its life in 1482 as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, who desired a place to retreat from the turmoil of a civil war. While the name Ginkaku-ji literally translates as 'Silver Pavilion', the shogun's ambition to cover the building with silver was never realised. After Yoshimasa's death, the villa was converted into a temple.
Kyoto's famed 'Golden Pavilion', Kinkaku-ji is one of Japan's best-known sights. The main hall, covered in brilliant gold leaf, shining above its reflecting pond is truly spectacular. The original building was built in 1397 as a retirement villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. His son converted it into a temple. In 1950 a young monk consummated his obsession with the temple by burning it to the ground. The monk's story was fictionalised in Mishima Yukio's The Golden Pavilion. In 1955 a full reconstruction was completed that followed the original design, but the gold-foil covering was extended to the lower floors.
One of the symbols of Kyoto and one of Japan’s most famous Zen rock gardens, our next stop was Ryōan-ji Buddhist temple which belongs to the Rinzai school and was founded in 1450. The garden, an oblong of sand with an austere collection of 15 carefully placed rocks, apparently adrift in a sea of sand, is enclosed by an earthen wall. The designer, who remains unknown to this day, provided no explanation. Although many historians believe the garden was arranged by Sōami during the Muromachi period (1333–1568), some contend that it is a much later product of the Edo period. It is Japan’s most famous hira-niwa (flat garden void of hills or ponds) and reveals the stunning simplicity and harmony of the principles of Zen meditation. Our final stop on our tour was Kyoto's spectacular Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, with its dense pathway of bamboo that stretches as far as the eye can see.
Ropes, white paper and red torii gates are common features of all shrines
In Shinto mythology the fox is Inari's vehicle and guardian, and so Fushimi Inari Jinja
has many statues of foxes and koma-inu guardians
Fushimi Inari-Taisha with its seemingly unending arcade of over 5000 vibrant orange torii gates that wind across the thickly wooded mountain
Chozuya stone basin with wooden ladle
Omikuji paper prayers or wishes wrapped around a tree at Inari
Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto
Local jeweller beside the water at Philosopher's Walk
Small street leading up to Ginkaku-ji is bustling with lots of small shops and street food vendors catering to the masses of tourists who flock to the temple
Negiyaki Japanese-style savoury pancakes with lots of "negi" or green onions
are a popular street food
Artfully composed display of 'Onigiri', which are triangular-shaped rice cakes
often wrapped in nori and filled with a variety of ingredients
Sticks of grilled Japanese Yaki Dango which are sweet mochi rice dumpling balls
Takoyaki, or octopus balls are one of Japan's best-known street foods
and cooked in a special molded pan
Takoyaki are brushed with takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise, and then sprinkled
with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito
Ginkakuji, the Silver Pavilion in Kyoto was designed as a country house for the Shogun Yosimasa and then became a temple as per his wishes
Ginkakuji's garden features ponds with islands and bridges, little streams and beautiful planting
The Togu-do houses a small tatami room known as the Dojin-sai, was designed by Murata Shuko in the 15th-century and is considered to be the oldest tearoom in Japan
Ginkakuji reflected in the garden pond
Silver Pavilion dry-sand garden known as the 'Sea of Silver Sand' is famous for a perfectly sculpted mound called Kogetsu-dai that is said to represent Mt. Fuji
Kyoto's famed 'Golden Pavilion', Kinkaku-ji is one of Japan's best-known sights
Japanese woman beautifully dressed in a kimono poses in front of the Golden Pavilion
The original building was built in 1397 as a retirement villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
The Golden Pavilion covered dock was used by the Shogun for boating parties on the lake
Ryūmon Taki waterfall falls on a Rigyo-seki or carp stone meant to resemble a carp swimming upstream and symbolizing strength
A flotilla of water lilies on Ryoan-ji Temple pond
Stone bridge leading to a Shinto temple on a small island in the Ryoan-ji Temple pond
Stone steps leading to the 'kuru' or priest's quarters of Ryoan-ji
Ryōan-ji is one of Japan’s most famous Zen rock gardens
Enclosed by an earthen wall, fifteen carefully placed rocks seem to drift in a sea of raked white gravel
The garden's fifteen stones are cleverly arranged so that there is always one rock that is hidden from view, regardless of where the viewer stands
Ryōan-ji moss garden
Ryoan-ji Tsukuba with 4 kanji characters on the surface that say "what one has is all one needs" which reinforces the anti-materialistic teachings of Buddhism
A small perfect waterfall behind Ryōan-ji
Kyoto's spectacular Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, with its dense pathway of bamboo
that stretches as far as the eye can see
The forest consists of several pathways to explore
Damage to the Bamboo Grove from Typhoon Jebi
Togetsukyo Bridge is Arashiyama's well known, central landmark
Waiting to cross the bridge was an exquisitely dressed bride and groom with their photographer
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