Back on the press about Kyoto! Can’t believe that we visited 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the day after the rain (read : Kyoto l Kyoto Imperial Palace in the rain). Guess we were well-rested after shopping around the hotel and sleeping early 🙂
Nijo Castle 二条城
I shared that Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto’ exhibition at ACM inspired me to press about Kyoto again. Coincidentally, Nijo Castle is the home of the first shogun or warlord during the Edo period (1603-1867) who has great power. Found the details of this castle from the feudal era quite interesting with elaborated features compared to the imperial palaces in Japan.
Check out the Chinese style gate Karamon gate (top left) and the Ninomaru Castle.
We enjoyed walking around the sprawling castle grounds in the fair weather which was such a contrast from the day before!
For me, the gardens and greenery added a special touch to the castle, like a stroke that completes a painting.
Kinkakuji 金閣寺
I like Kinkakuji the golden pavilion, previously the retirement villa of a shogun and now a zen temple. Would count this as one of my favorite temples in Japan. I feel zen here, like how I did at Ginkakuji the silver pavilion (read: Kyoto l Zen).
Kinkakuji is covered in gold leaf – how extravagant!
Ryoanji 龍安寺
Always interesting to visit the gardens in Japan and Ryoanji is one of them. Didn’t expect this famous garden to be a dry or rock garden, and I must admit it took me a while to appreciate this landscape.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is such a contrast to Nijo Castle and Kinkakuji!
Fushimi Inari Shrine 伏見稲荷大社
Fushimi Inari Shrine is the most important of Shinto shrines. We saw many statues of foxes on the shrine grounds as they are thought to be messengers of the Shinto god.
Your name is orange, Fushimi Inari Taisha!
Yay to finally checking out the hiking trails and orange torri gates, and getting pictures without photo bombers! This place is so crowded.
Sometimes, a place becomes so iconic that the town revolves around it. Spot the foxes at the train station and restaurant. We must have tried some Inari Sushi and Kitsune Udon (Fox Udon) but I cannot find any pictures of them! 😛
This throwback to #Kyoto brings back good memories and I really hope to visiting the Kansai area again soon. Can almost imagine a different sight unfolding in the above spots in Spring or Autumn! #armchairtravel #dreamnowvisitlater
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