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<春> A Land of Countless Temples and Shrines (2006 Kyoto . 京都)


After Fuji, we went to the land of countless temples and shrines, Kyoto, also the former capital of Japan. The people in Kyoto said, "Even if you visit a temple/shrine a day in Kyoto, you still cannot finish all the temples/shrines in a year". This is true because there are over thousands of temples/shrines in Kyoto itself. 

The most efficient and comfortable way to get from Fuji to Kyoto is to take a Shinkansen also known as the Bullet Train. It was my first time trying out Shinkansen and the experience was great. Personally I would prefer Shinkansen over domestic flight.

Shinkansen aka the Bullet Train

First stop, we visited Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a Buddhist temple located in the eastern side of Kyoto. This temple is well known for their wooden stage because it was built without using a single nail. And most of the people also come here for Otowa Waterfall where they can drink for good health and success. 

Torii of Jishu-jinja, A Matchmaking Shrine
A Bell Tower
A view from the Wooden Stage
Otowa-no-taki, the waterfall where visitors drink for good health and success
Wishes written on the small wooden plaques

When you are in Kyoto, chances of bumping into Geisha and Maiko is quite high; be it in the Geisha district, Gion or the temples around. When we wandered around Kiyomizu-dera Temple, we managed to see some Maiko walking around taking picture with the tourists.

A Portrait of Maiko
Maiko posing in front of the cameras

Last stop of the day, we went to Heian Shrine, a shrine which was built for the 1100th anniversary of Heian-Kyo (meaning Peace and Tranquility Captial), now known as Kyoto. Do approach the shrine by walking along Jingu-michi Street, and you will be welcomed by a huge vermilion Torii Gate.

Daigokuden - The main hall of Heian Shrine
Ōtenmon - The main gate of Heian shrine
The Sake Barrels

Calling it a day, we moved on to Osaka and stayed there for a night as the following day we went on to explore Nara and Osaka.


Shinkansen (新幹線) = High Speed Train/Bullet Train
Ema (絵馬) = a small wooden plaque 
Geisha (芸者) = a traditional Japanese female entertainer
Maiko (舞妓) = a dancer also an apprentice Geiko


:::::::::: What We Saw ::::::::::

Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Address: 294 Kiyomizu 1-chome Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862 Japan
Getting There: nearest train station is Kiyomizu-Gojo Station >> walk >> Kiyomizudera Temple
Year visited: 2006

Heian Shrine
Address: Okazaki Nishitennocho Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8341 Japan
Getting There: Alight at Subway Higashiyama Station >> Walk >> Heian Shrine
Year visited: 2006 

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Preceding Trip: 2005 Hong Kong
Current Trip: 2006 Japan (Tokyo . Hakone . Kyoto . Nara . Osaka)
Following Trip: 2008 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)

Written by: Q.J.
Photography by: Q.J.
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