Ninnaji temple, world heritage!

I would like to show you a beautiful temple, a Ninnaji temple near my house, along the foothill of the west of Kyoto.

This temple is beautiful and it has variety kind of architectures, include main temple, 5 stories building and beautiful garden.

Between buildings there are corridors. The view from corridor of the other buildings and garden is very special and beautiful.

Along the corridor you can see old Japanese doors, windows.

Many nobles of he Imperial court built summer vilas in Heian Period. 794-1185
At that time the nobilities were folowers of the newly flourishing Buddism.
Many of their villas came to converted to temples.

The 58th Emperor Koko ordered that a temple be built in the district in 886.
This was the origin of the Ninna-Ji temple.

After the death of Emperor Koko, his son The 59th Emperor Uda oversaw the completion of the temple in 888.

Emperor Uda abdicated and to took Monk's vows at age 31st, retiring to Ninna Ji temple as it's abot.

This practice of having an Emperor' son serve as the abbot continue until 1868.

The temple was largely destroyed by the during Onin War in the 19 the century and carried out with sponsorship of Tokugawa in 1644

It is good to go early in the morning as there are not many tourists. Thought all temples are same, early in the morning is best time to go.

Kiyomizu temple, East area

One of my favorite temple in Kyoto is Kiyomizu temple

because this architecuter is very unique and the view from this temple is beautiful.

This temple is located in east area of Kyoto on the Otowa mountain.

Originally, The temple was built in 778. 

It was destroyed by the fire many times and reconstructed. 

The temple which we can see now was constructed in 1633.

This temple is part if the world heritage in Kyoto.

Half of the main building is supported by  139 zelkova in the middle of the mountain. There are no nails for built this wooden structure.

It looks as if the stage.

There is a proverb,

"Jump from the stage of stage of Kiyimozu. "

It means to have the courage to take a risk or make a decison.

You can walk through some buildings and go down stairs. You can see a water fall, Otowa waterfall. This ground water come from the mountain and split in three by wood gutter. One is for long life. Second one is for love. Third one is for achievement of studying.

You chose one of three water and take a sip. If you drink tow times, player answered will be half benefit. If you drink three times, benefit will be one third.

You walk through the mountain, you can see the three story tower, Koyasu

tower. From there you can view that an temple from opposite side.

You walk through the mountain, you can see the three story tower, Koyasu

tower. 

From there you can view that an temple from opposite side.

It is enjoyable to walk up the slope from the bus station to the temple. Those slope name is Ninenzaka and Sanneizaka. Along the slope there are many souvenir shops, cafes and those things are all cultural Kyoto products or sweets.  People really enjoy walking, shopping , eating and beautiful temple and view of Kyoto.

In east area there are many famous temples and shrines are near by.

Koudaiji, Chiyoin, Yasaka shrine, Heian jingu, Nanzenji temple.

All you can go by walk. So pick up some place and enjoy walking around east area!

Arashiyama

Today I would like to introduce Arashiyama, near my house. It is located west side of Kyoto city.
It is very relaxing place as there is a mountain where you could walk up, river, some beautiful temples ans shrines and banboo forest.
It it also nice to rent a bicycle and go around.

This is the bamboo forest. It is nice to walk this street early in the morning or evening as less people and very quiet.

You can take the Torokko train which run through the beautiful valley.
There is a beautiful view of river and bridge.

There are many cafes and restaurants where you can take a rest.

I found a nice comfortable cafe, Kaede  楓 which is located in the quiet area after bamboo street. This cafe has a small pretty garden and is surrounded trees. You could be relaxed and have hand made sweets.

This is the link of the Kaede Cafe
http://www.kaede-cafe.com/concept/

There are many places to see in Kyoto, temples, shrines and gardens. In this area, you could be close to nature, river, mountain and forest at Arashiyama.

                                                  Arashiyama station

Hello, I started to write about traveling Kyoto and Japan

For many years my dream was to live and study abroad. I really wanted to see other counties.

I had the opportunity to lived in London for a year, studying Interior Design at the University of Arts London to change my career and travel around many counties.  Now I have come back to Kyoto, Japan and  rented a very old house where I am living now. When I was a student, living in Kyoto previously,  I did not find or realise the value which Kyoto had at that time. Now I am getting a bit older and have experienced living in other cities, such as Tokyo and London;  I love both of them, but I can also find beautiful things here in Kyoto; different things than other cities. Consequently, I walk around Kyoto every day and find small things which make me stop and feel just beautiful! I have started to write this blog to introduce Japan, mainly Kyoto to you. I hope that my writing will give some interesting information to people who are interested in Japan and who are planning to travel to Japan.

                                                                     Zen Garde

Nanzenji Temple

The Cafe Toraya