Hello!! Today’s excursion was to Ginkakuji (the silver pavilion) in the rain.
We did stop by a craft market which was held nearby in the grounds of a shrine. All nice and muddy underfoot but it was great to see what people are making and selling here (professional interest from Maureen and myself!!)
Ginkakuji has its origins in 1482!!!
The moss gardens and area surrounding the buildings are gorgeous
The raked sand is fabulous
I did a lap of the garden area with Maureen and used my usual camera, then put that away and did another quick lap with the tablet so I could blog something.
You get a bit of elevation and a decent view.
All so lush and green!
Even a glimpse up through the forest.
It’s still raining here as I sit and type. Got most of our clothes dry and ready for tomorrow. We’ve got a day planned out with friends!
After enjoying seeing the Big Buddha in Nara Park, we slipped down a side road to visit one of the local gardens, Yoshiken Gardens.
It used to be part of a temple but in the late 1800’s it became a privately owned site.
In 1919 ownership was transferred to Nara Prefecture and since 1989 it has been open for public viewing and tea ceremonies.
It’s lovely the way these small areas lay out their garden paths with turns and mysterious steps leading here and there. You feel it’s a much bigger space.
The moss garden area has a detached teahouse.
Inside the teahouse.
Cheeky photo of Maureen!
I am not sure what this seated shelter is for but I like the photo! Thanks Maureen!
It was nice to get away from the throngs of people.
The garden brochure has a boxed serious warning:
Deer may eat your brochure. Please pay attention to deer approaching you.
That amused me.
Some of the small plants growing over rocks and up trees were so sweet.
We rounded off our Nara day by going back to town for lunch and a bit of shopping before heading ‘home’.
It was a long day yesterday so I went to futon instead of blogging!
We took ourselves off earlyish to Nara for the day.
It took about an hour by train – our wonderful landlady gave me instructions on how to get a direct one without mucking about changing.
I used to live in Nara… crazy how tourism has exploded since I first came to live here. Nonetheless, it was so nice to go back.
Gosh…there’s another of those excellent wisteria structures… (Snicker)
Fairly famous five storied pagoda.
And the more famous Nara deer.
The man on the bike ran out of deer bikkies but one chased him anyway. Kinda cracked me up watching tourists sitting down with little sticks trying to scrape the deer poo off their shoes. This country girl just thought it made a change from chook poo.
See?? tourists everywhere!!
These are the massive gates before getting to Todaiji.
Maureen thoroughly enjoying herself.
Me also enjoying myself!
How awesome is this structure? This is the Nandaimon Gate and inside are the two Nio Guardian Kings. All are national treasures.
Super fierce dudes.
We moseyed along and made our entry into Todaiji. Until recently it was the world’s largest wooden building. Keep in mind that the present reconstruction done in 1692 is only at two thirds it’s original size!! Boggles my mind.
You can light incense at the entryway and at the very front of the building.
The hall was first built in 752 to house the Buddha who is seated inside at a massive 15 metres tall!
I don’t think I am improving at selfies but here I am.
Love looking up at the massive doors.
Finally inside.
The scale of this never fails to impress me.
All the stunning flower arrangements! We found out tonight that the 8th was Buddhas birthday. There was a monk chanting the whole time we were there that really added to the atmosphere.
I should have counted how many flower arrangements there were!
Was so happy to go and say hi to my favourite guardian, Komokuten, Guardian of the West.
He probably doesn’t remember me, but I’ve always had a soft spot for this grumpy looking fellow. The detail in the carving is amazing…and again he is quite the impressive size!
More flowers and then looking over to who I assume is the Guardian of the East… I didn’t look up his name.
I guess he is pretty cool to, he just doesn’t strike my fancy like Komokuten.
Anyway I will continue with more on our Nara visit when it’s not after midnight!!
This is Maureen with our accommodation host Mikiko. A really lovely lady whom I have known for a number of years now.
I was lucky enough that she started her own accommodation business so we could stay in such a wonderful location in Kyoto.
Here is a photo of me trying to be contrite after bossing Maureen about on how-to take the photo!!
Today’s plan was to go to a flea market in this location.
Mikiko was most put out when it just wasn’t there! We all love markets so that was a disappointment but all was certainly not lost as Heian Shrine is pretty spectacular.
We decided to go into the garden and despite the cherry blossoms being done, it was such a lovely place to wander through and absorb.
Original street car! This actually went down teramachi st where we are staying!
Structures for Wisteria…hinting strongly to Jeff about constructing me one for ours. He will get bonus Husband Points if he starts it before I get home.
Bit of an image dump… have to go to bed as a longer day planned tomorrow so I am now speed-blogging.
I love how the garden paths curve in and around…always makes you want to keep going to see what is around the next bend.
White wisteria on this very cool and sturdy looking structure that would look excellent beside the chook house…
(Yes I think I am funny)
Right…thats all from The Land of the Rising Sun for tonight!
This morning we got up at 6am (cue my family to collectively faint)
So brekkie was nice and relaxed before setting off to wander the streets and browse shops. Maureen was in heaven finding some great materials
That’s quite the start!!
We popped back home for lunch then decided to jump into real sightseeing – two stops down the local subway line to Nijo Castle.
The site and some buildings have been here for 400 years!!
Super ornate gates!!
A snap looking straight up as I walked through.
This is the main entrance. Always a bit sad that there is a no photos rule (but understandable) The painted sliding doors and ceilings are numerous and magnificent. And the Nightingale floors sing to you as you walk along them. They were constructed in a way to make noise so people couldn’t sneak in with nefarious intentions. They actually sound beautiful.
After enjoying the palace, we took a walk around the grounds. Sadly the weeping cherry blossom trees were past their best but it was all beautiful, regardless.
Love the stone lanterns
The outsized stone block walls!!
And here is Maureen for scale!
We might have missed peak cherry blossom time, but the azaleas are starting in fine style.
We did find a small pretty area of cherry blossoms (cue selfie)
We finished up the day by having dinner with my long term friends, Mari & Koichi. I was shocked to realise it’s been 33 years since we first met! It was fabulous seeing them again. Mari never seems to change, even though she is a grandma now!
I am sitting in our little cosy bnb typing this before heading off to a good night’s sleep.
I meant to blog more before I left but things got hectic with my tooth (all ok for the moment there) and the weirdest rash on my wrist that wouldn’t shift with creams or two lots of antibiotics…so my brain is getting overexcited thinking my arm is going to drop off and I won’t be allowed into Japan. (Cue Jeff eyerolls)
I prettied up my new jeans with this ribbon that I bought in Japan a number of years ago. Mum is still in shock that I got out a needle and thread but I am sure she is proud haha.
So here I am.. showered and post nap in our accommodation.
The trip went fine, just was such a long haul as we went through Kuala Lumpur. The last 6 hour flight wasn’t good for me…got a little over anxious and was crook (more eyerolls … This time from me to myself) so it was a fair exercise in stubbornness to get through customs, out of airport, to train station to get to Kyoto (another hour and a half) then two subway trains and a walk to get here all with a dodgy tummy!!!
I might add I am proud of not getting lost once!
Maureen has been a trouper…shes tired and a bit stiff from sitting so long,but is as happy as a clam as after our nanny naps we went for a walk around the area.
(I suspect you might see a lot more selfies than you would ever normally expect while I am using my tablet. I’ll bring out the big camera when I go proper sightseeing)
Teramachi street is a very old shopping area…and it has the coolest most interesting variety of shops.
It was nice to get out and see a little of the area before grabbing a simple sandwich from a convenience shop for dinner. Didn’t want to push the tummy issue 😅
We’ll find some better food tomorrow
Small shrines are tucked in all along the street
Tomorrow we plan to just explore this area properly rather than dash off on trains to sightsee. Take it a bit easy.
Basket weaving shop!!!!
Well… I certainly need to get myself to bed. I’ll return with more news from Japan when I can! It’s nice to have the connection this time with my own tablet.
