In typical Griswold fashion we scheduled one full day to see as much of Kyoto and its over 1600 historic temples, shrines, and gardens as possible. We began early to maximize daylight, and to avoid the heat as best as possible...
Our first stop was Kiyomizu Temple
View down into the valley, which is the center of Kyoto, from the temple
Just the first set of steps we would encounter this day. They got harder and harder to climb as the day went on.
Mom and Kristin say their prayers
These figures were really interesting, and a bit scary looking.
View down to Kyoto downtown below. Kyoto tower is at the main station making it relatively easy to find, and helping you orient yourself within the city
The main temple is elevated and supported by massive solid wood columns which make the temple appear as if it is floating in the trees. The temple is famous for its sloped platform, from which people have jumped seeking to make their wishes come true. Those who survive the plunge are said to have their wishes granted, and I guess if you wish to die it is also possible to have your wishes granted without surviving the fall.
The three springs. Each one possesses special powers. One is for wisdom, one for good health, and the other for longevity. You can choose to drink from any one you want, but choosing to drink from more than one will bring bad luck as a result of your greed.
I was fairly confident these highschool girls were trying to pick me up, until Aya explained that they were simply trying to tell me the story of the fountains, and warn me against drinking from more than one. I think Aya was just jealous...
The most beautiful awning I have ever seen
The sculpted gardens of Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Temple)
Ginkakuji is a world cultural heritage site built in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, and modeled after Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple) built by his grandfather.
A Japanese wishing pond
Scott with his Japanese friends.
Japanese students are required to practice their English when they go on field trips. So they loved to see our group come through, which gave them an opportunity to complete their assignment. Dad loved the opportunity to talk with them, and was blown away by how good their English was.
Leaving one temple on our way to the next.
Reiun-in, the subordinate temple to Tofuku-ji. The garden expresses the universe, and is not actually the original garden which was destroyed. This garden was reconstructed in 1970 based on old photographs from the Edo period.
Even the paintings in the temples were getting a bit tired by this point in the day
On our way to see Tofuku-ji Temple
2 women in traditional kimonos. Not quite the geisha we were hoping to see in Kyoto, but still fun for everyone to see
Tofuku-ji Temple
The moss garden
I wanna talk to Samson!
Compai!!! Dinner at Manzarate on Pontocho Street. A very traditional meal prepared using foods and cooking techniques specific to Kyoto.
By now Dad has gotten the hang of using chopsticks. I think his desire to try all of the foods in Japan as quickly as possible helped him hone his skills.
Not to be outdone, Mom shows off her skills
A nice dinner in our private dining room. It was a great experience for everyone to eat in such a traditional manner, although it was hard for everyone to get up to leave after we had eaten & drank so much
