FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Kyoto – Totally Templed
April 17, 2018 by Susan Clarke
- Totally Templed & Uniquely UNESCO…
…as Kyoto has a grand total of 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
- 1st Stop – Kinkaku-ji…the Golden Pavilion…
…whose top two floors are completely covered in glittering gold leaf…
…started life in 1397 as a retirement villa for the Shogun…
…and based on his wishes became a Zen temple after his death in 1408.
- 2nd Stop –Tenryu-ji Temple… one of the city’s five great Zen temples.
The tranquil temple has one of the most attractive Japanese stroll gardens in Kyoto…
…particularly stunning in spring with cherry blossoms & fall with autumn foliage.
- 3rd Stop – Outside the temple…is the magical Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Togetsuyoko Bridge.
- 4th Stop – Royan-ji Temple… known as the “Temple of the Dragon at Peace”…
…famous for its iconic Zen rock garden…
…that features 15 mystical rocks floating adrift in a sea of white sand…
…& the perfect spot to contemplate the world…
…& the meaning of life.
- 5th Stop – Kiyomizu-dera Temple…one of the most celebrated temples in Japan…
…perched high atop a hill…
…offering spectacular views of Kyoto…
…with its huge wooden veranda…
…at 38 feet high & 120 ft long protruding over a steep cliff…
…built in 1633 without using a single nail…
…& the reason we made this trip!
FUN-fact – Kiyomizu-dera was one of the 21 places vying for the New 7 Wonders of the World. We have now officially made it to 20 of them!
Not so FF – Today was the coldest day so far! Glad I brought my silk long john’s!
- Today’s Treat – “We be Stylin”… in our private car…with driver!
Our Guide Katsue, Me & Mr. Moto