Kyoto(‹ž“sŽs, Kyoto-shi) (lit. capital capital or capital of capitals) is a city in Japan, which has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.
Map of Kyoto.
After arriving in Kyoto I ventured out in the heavy rain and found a Japanese steak house. It was a well deserved dinner after climbing that steep hill at Himeji Castle.
Old Torii in the city center of Kyoto.
Statue of buddihst monk.
Main entrance to Kyoto National Museum. Build in 1895 and modeled after western architechture.
Kimono made out of 28 layers of textiles.
Model of daimyo feudal lord returning from the semi-annual trip to visit the shogun in Edo.
Coins from the Edo period. There was not much trust in the Japanese currency so Chinese coins were often used. On the road from Kyoto to Edo there would be many ryokans. A small strip of coins would get you a meal and a big string would give you a bed for the night.
Painting of Japanese ship. Notice the Portuguese official and a priest in the bottom center. The Portuguese were the first westerners to establish trade with Japan and arrived in the Muromachi period (1543). Trade is perhaps a little to diplomatic. They delivered muskets to one fraction in a civil war and their main goal was to establish Jesuit missions.
Decorated oyster shells.
Model of Kyoto National Museum.
Model of portable shrine shrine on wheels.
Theatrical Noh Mask. The Noh masks are used to portray female or nonhuman (divine, demonic, or animal) characters.
Japanese traditional store. It's a little difficult for a westerner to see what kind of store this is. It was a bicycle repair shop.
Shopping arcade in Kyoto.
The Takano river bank.
Higashiyama is a hilly part of eastern Kyoto. Old streets and temples are well preserved here.
Higashiyama is filled with old winding stony streets.
A bashi in Higashiyama.
Women dressed in the traditional kimono.
Canal running through Higashiyama.
Typical old Japanese houses with living quarters on the top and a store at the bottom.
One of the few streets in Higashiyama where cars are allowed.
Entrance to Yasaka shrine.
Inside the Yasaka shrine area.
Main hall of Yasaka shrine.
Stage of Yasaka shrine. The many lanterns that decorate the shrine's stage are lit after dark and bear the names of their sponsors, mostly Kyoto businesses.
Torii leading in to Maruyama Park.
In the first half of April, when the cherry trees are in full bloom, Maruyama Koen becomes Kyoto's most popular and most crowded spot for cherry blossom viewing parties called hanami.
Little lake in Maruyama Park with the Shoren-In Temple in the background.
Staircase up to the temple.
Bell at Shoren-In Temple.
Shoren-In Temple shrine.
View of Kyoto from Higashiyama Hills.
These stairs must be leading up to an interesting place.
The steps kept on going and going...
They became steeper and steeper.
A nice little sign was the only entertaining happening on this climb.
Finally a wooden temple like building but no people.
Perhaps the interesting stuff is throug this gate.
It was a humongous cemetery. I better get back to the tourist track.
The sun is setting over Higashiyama in Kyoto.
Close up of roof corner ornament.
Gate leading into a museum.
Wooden tower and roof tops of Higashiyama.
Yasakanoto pagoda.
Wire hanging down from the Yasakanoto pagoda. I don't know if this was to get a better TV receiption.
Walking down Sannenzaka Slope towards Kyoto.
A look back towards the Yasakanoto pagoda.
Kyoto is surrounded by mountains on its three sides which made up for a good defence in the earlier years.
River restaurant in Kyoto.
Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Temple) is the name of one of the buildings in the Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺 Deer Garden Temple) in Kyoto, Japan, and this is the main attraction of the temple grounds.
This temple and the setting was so beatiful.
I better take another shot of it.
Don't forget to have a shot with me in it.
The Golden Pavilion (formally called Shariden) was originally built in 1397 to serve as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. It was his son who converted the building into a Zen temple of the Rinzai school.
The temple was burned down several times during the Onin War.
The entire pavilion except the basement floor is covered with pure gold leaf. The pavilion functions as a shariden, housing relics of the Buddha. On the roof of the pavilion is a golden fenghuang or "Chinese phoenix".
Walking behind The Golden Pavillion into the park.
A small waterfall.
Ancient stone steps.
An-min-taku pond with a stone pagoda raised in memory of the white snake.
The Sekka-tei Tea House.
Walking around Kyoyochi pond in the Ryoanji Temple park.
The pond is filled with lilly flowers. I guess I picked the wrong season to be here.
Small shrine in the park.
A torii.
A small stone bridge.
Sign telling us that we are close to Ryoan-Ji Temple.
Steps up towards the temple.
The park surrounding the temple.
A storage house on the temple grounds.
Small island in the middle of the Kyoyochi pond.
Across the Kyoyochi pond from the Ryoan-Ji Temple.
Bamboo.
Turtels enjoying a little sunshine on a stone.
Temple, pond and turtles.
A little boat house.
Inside the Ryōan-ji (Kyūjitai: 龍安寺, Ryōan-ji The Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) where the famous karesansui (dry landscape) rock garden, thought to have been built in the late 1400s. The garden consists of raked gravel and fifteen moss-covered boulders, which are placed so that, when looking at the garden from any angle (other than from above) only fourteen of the boulders are visible at one time. It is traditionally said that only through attaining enlightenment would one be able to view the fifteenth boulder.
Tourists counting boulders.
Behind The Ryoan-Ji Temple.
Bamboo and stone purification fountain tsukubai.
Walkway inside the temple.
The Zoruko Tea Room.
A traditional Japanese sliding door.
The temple bell.
A look back towards the rock garden.
Folding screens with Japanese calligraphy.
It's time to get on the hotel bus heading for Kyoto station.
Sumo Wrestling
