Monday, 9 March 2015

More Famous places in Kyoto

Hi all,

Today, I would like to introduce various attractive places in Kyoto. People who are interested in Japan know Kyoto is the most historic place in Japan and there are so many places to visit. I lived in Kyoto for 2 years when I was a student of graduate school in Kyoto. Today, I would like to introduce some places where I liked most and those does not include Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama , Kiyomizudera Shrine or Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, because they are very famous that you can find many information on the internet.

The first and the best place I like in Kyoto is “Ryoanji Temple” (http://www.ryoanji.jp/top.html).



What I like most about Ryoanji is its Karesansui (traditional dry landscape garden) garden. This garden doesn’t use water (basically, Rocks with moss and stones only) but it expresses flow of water. Karesansui makes me feel relax and think about our internal thoughts and emotions by just sitting next to it. Ryoanji Karesansui has 15 rocks. Several years ago, I was told that 15 is the best and perfect number in Buddhism. Although, there are 15 rocks in the garden, you cannot see all 15 rocks from any angles at once (some rocks always hide one or two rocks in their behind).

When I heard this explanation, I thought that it is difficult to see our lives as best and perfect (by our own eyes) but they actually are the best and perfect. What I need to do is not to find what is missing but feel thankfulness to what I have. If we see the garden from above, we will be able to see all 15 rocks. Our lives are in the same way. If we change the angles we watch something, it can change our bad feelings to good feelings. I found my impression right, when I found a Stone “Chisoku no Tsukubai”, which had “I only know I am Satisfied” writing on it, in the back of Ryoanji Temple.


The next place is “Tetsugaku no michi (Philosopher’s Path)” (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3906.html)


I used to walk on this path a lot, when I was living in Kyoto. Some of the famous philosophers in Kyoto liked to walk on this path many years ago, so the path has this name. This path is very beautiful especially in springs (cherry blossoms) and autumns (coloured leaves). The season of cherry blossom is introduced in my blog’s other article (http://traveljapantips.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/cherry-blossoms-2015.html ). Silver Pavilion is close from the Northern end of the path and Nanzenji Temple is close from the Southern end, so it would be convenient for you to walk before or after visiting one (or both) of those temples.


The Third place is “Shimogamo Jinja” Shrine. (http://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/english.html)


Shimogamo Jinja is a very historical Shrine in Japan. It is said it was repaired in BC 90 so originally established more than 2100 years ago. The best thing about this shrine is that it has a wood called “Tadasu no mori”. Tadasu no mori is very beautiful and quiet wood that many people made Haiku (Traditional Japanese Poem) on this wood in the old age. Ryoanji garden is very spiritual place but Tadasu no mori and Shimogamo Jinja is also a very spiritual place in more natural style.


The last place is “Kamogawa Delta”. (http://guide.travel.co.jp/article/3715/)


Kamogawa Delta is located very close from Shimogamo Jinja Shrine. I spent a lot of time in this small area. Many young people (mostly the local university students) have picnic and barbeque in this small space, especially in April. This place is the best place for people to eat take-away lunch, if the weather is good.


That’s all about it for today. Should you have any questions, requests or comments, please leave a message. I am very happy if you could give me some advices to improve this blog so more people can visit here and get information on what they need.

Bye!


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