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| Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto |
The Yasaka Shrine, also known as the Gion Shrine is an important temple in Kyoto, because of its location in Gion, its age - founded around 650, and the fact that it sponsors Kyoto's biggest annual festival, the Gion Matsuri. It has many paper lanterns outside, which all bear the name of a local business that has donated money.
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| Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto |
Of course we were here for none of those reasons, but rather because there were some rather good food stalls around the shrine, and with its orange colour, overlooking lanterns in the evening and the cherry blossom during the day, it looked lovely.
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| Maruyama Park, Kyoto |
Behind the temple is Maruyama Park, which is an excellent place to see the cherry blossom, and also the locals having their sakura parties where they bring along their groundsheets and picnics and enjoy being amongst the blossom. We were surprised just how excited the Japanese get about the blossom, but it really is a big thing for them.
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| Maruyama Park, Kyoto |
Some get dressed up in their kimono for the occasion. I asked a group of ladies if they would mind if I took a photo, and instead got pulled in to be in the photo with them. They did at least take one for me as well.
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| Maruyama Park, Kyoto |
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| Maruyama Park, Kyoto |
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| Maruyama Park, Kyoto |
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| Maruyama Park, Kyoto |
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| Sanmon Gate, Chion-in Temple, Kyoto |
On the other side of the park is the Chion-in Temple, which is the head temple of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism, and has the largest wooden Sanmon Gate in Japan, which dates to the 1600s.
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| Chion-in Temple, Kyoto |
This wasn't the most exciting or pretty temple, but it does have a very nice cherry tree, and it has Seven Wonders. They are interesting, but not especially wondrous, so I will just cover three of them here.
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| Chion-in Temple, Kyoto |
The first is the Uguisubari-no-roka, or the Nightingale Floors; the floors in the hallways have been constructed so that, no matter how carefully you walk on them they make a tuneful noise, that is said to sound like a nightingale's call. Not only is it great for deterring burglars or nosey snoopers, it is also supposed to make the sound of the words 'ho kike yo', which means 'listen to the Buddha's teachings'.
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| Chion-in Temple, Kyoto |
Then there is Nukesuzume, or The Sparrows that Flew Away; it is believed that one of the painted doors originally had sparrows on it, but they were so realistic, that the sparrows flew away, leaving only the mark of where they once had been.
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| Chion-in Temple, Kyoto |
The last one I'll tell you about is Sanpo Shomen Mamuki-no-Neko, or The Cat that Sees in Three Directions; there is a mother cat and kitten painted on a door to a hallway, and it is said that wherever you stand, the mother cat is watching you, representing that people must always keep their eyes looking forward.
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| Shoren-in Temple, Kyoto |
Close by is the Shoren-in Temple, which did have some nice gardens.
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| Shoren-in Temple, Kyoto |
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| Kiomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto |
The final temple that I will include in this post was sadly a little disappointing.
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| Kiomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto |
The Kigomizu-dera, or Pure Water Temple, was built in 780, and much of the main hall and the large stage area were built without using any nails.
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| Kiomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto |
The temple takes its name from the Otowa waterfall that is on the grounds.
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| Kiomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto |
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| Ottawa waterfall, Kiomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto |
The flow of water is split into three streams that represent longevity, success at school, and good fortune in love. There are long poles with cups on the end to enable you to take a drink from the stream of your choice, to help you in that respect. However to drink from all three is considered greedy.
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| Kiomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto |
Another legend is at the Jishu Shrine, where two stones sit eighteen metres apart. It is said that if you can walk from one to the other with your eyes closed, you will have good luck in finding love. However if you have help in making the walk, you will also need help to find love.
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| Kiomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto |
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| Kyoto |
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| Kyoto |
There are a lot of shops on the path up to the temple, which is quite nice, but it does get very busy.
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