Kyoto

KYOTO

On November 3rd was a national holiday and I got a day off from school! I desperately have been wanting to see more of Japan, so my friends Aiko and Kaoru kindly offered to show me Kyoto :o)

Kamo River.

This river is famous for spot for tourists and local to visit. You can go walking on either side, and if you're hungry stop for a bite to eat at one of the many cafes stand along the bank.

We skipped down a side street to find a place for lunch.

We found a cozy traditional Japanese restaurant for lunch.

This was my first course: some fish, potato, tofu, and ginco beans.

Main course: salad, beef, mushrooms, miso soup, and of course RICE!

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine which was built in 656 AD.

It was absolutely beautiful!

Entrance to the shrine.

Upon entering the shrine there is a "holy water house" as my friends and I established. There is a fountain holding bamboo cups with long handles. You dip your cup into the fountain and pour water over one hand, and then the other. Next you pour some water into your hand and drink it. Now you are cleansed and ready to enter the shrine. But before entering you pour the remaining water over the handle of your cup to make it "clean" for the next visiter.

The first thing I noticed was the stage. This is where many religious dances and ceremonies are performed.

Because this day was a holiday (Culture Day), there was a special religious ceremony being performed. My friends who have been to Kyoto hundreds of times throughout their lives said they had NEVER seen this particular performance before. It is very sacred and only performed at very select times. I was very lucky to see it!

Here's a clip of it for you to see too! I wish I knew what it was called, but because it is not performed often no one really knows the name of it. Enjoy!

The shrine itself.

The tradition when passing by the shrine is to throw a 5 cent piece onto the platform, ring the bell, clap twice, bow, clap again, then pray. On this day no one allowed to ring any bells because of the performance. So their ropes were tied to the pillars (can you see them?).

Something you could do upon entering the shrine was to buy a fortune for yourself. First you pick a wooden box depending on what kind of fortune you would like (romantic, health, money, etc.). I picked a rather general box. You shake it until a stick slides out of a tiny hole. The stick has a number on it, and you take your number to a "cashier" and they give you your fortune, which is a piece of paper. Mine said my life was horrible and that is I wasn't careful I would lose my way and find myself in even more trouble... I can't believe I paid 200 yen to hear that! If you want your fortune to come true you tie it to a string (showed above). I told my friends I DID NOT want mine coming true, so I kept it (I also wanted a souvenir!).

Heading towards Kiyomizu Temple

Pulled carriages!

These guys have to be incredibly strong! This area was entirely uphill the whole way!

The walk towards the temple is all uphill, but there are stairs to "ease your way". As well as a bunch of shops to distract you from the pan you feel in your knees ;o)

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu Temple (Pure Water Temple) is a Buddhist temple built in 798 AD and renovated in 1633. Can you believe there is not one nail in the whole place? And it's still standing strong!

We finally made it!

Kaoru, myself, and Aiko.

It was SO COLD! But so worth it!

Entrance to the temple.

One of the statues guarding the gate of the temple. He looks scary in order to ward off evil spirits or malicious invaders. This guy must have been thirty feet tall!

When I was there is was too dark to see the statues inside their protective crates (I pulled the first picture off the internet). This was all I saw of them. Can you see that one yellow eye starring at you? It gave me the chills!

Another building next to the entrance, still part of the temple.

A quiet rest area. I thought it was so "kawaii" (pretty)!

Inside the temple facing the entrance.

I'm not sure what these are or the significance of them. Students and visitors were trying to lift them, and a tour guide was explaining what to do. Of course he was speaking Japanese, so I only knew when he was saying "Yes, that's right", or "No, that's wrong" ;o).

Looking down from the famous platform, you can see the water house. This water is said to have healing powers; that's why it's called Kiyomizu (pure water) Temple. The line to just a sip curled all around the path. It was quite a site!

View from the platform. I will never be able to take a good enough picture to do it justice!

Purification.

You light and burn incense, waving the smoke over your head to make you smart. It was funny to see all the young students waving smoke over their heads like their lives depended on it!

A view from the opposite platform.

Making our way down the hill.

Markers for donated cherry trees.

Exiting the temple.

Heading Home

Our final destination was this street. Many years ago is was famous for being a "geisha" street. Now there are many shops and restaurants, as well as a renowned denim dye shop.

Thus, ended my first trip to Kyoto.

We were cold, tired, but extremely happy about our day in Kyoto!