Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Kyoto, Japan: Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple, more than just a rock garden

I ventured into Japan without knowing much beyond "Konnichiwa" and "Arigatou" so subtle differences in Romanised Japanese still stump me, just as Ryoanji and Rokuonji do.

Here's a comparison of the 2 (of many, many) UNESCO sites in Kyoto:

Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺) - A Japanese Zen temple garden with a kare-sansui ("dry landscape")
Ryokuonji Temple (鹿苑寺) - Also known as Kinkakuji (金閣寺) or Temple of the Golden Pavilion
From the inscription:

Ryoanji Temple, originally an aristocrat's country villa, was converted into a Zen temple in 1450. In 1488, the Hojo (abbot's quarters) was restored, and repairs were made to the other temple buildings. When these were destroyed by a fire in 1797, the Seigen-in Temple's abbot's quarters, built in 1606, was relocated to Ryoanji Temple; this structure is the present Hojo, which serves as the main hall of the temple.

The temple garden, which lies on the Hojo's south side, is thought to date from the mid-15th century. A rock-and-gravel garden comprising 15 rocks in five groupings, arranged on a bed of white gravel, it is renowned throughout the world as the ultimate example of the kare-sansui or "dry landscape" style rock garden, in which nature is compressed and given abstract expression within the confines of a very narrow space.
I love how well the Japanese preserve their sites.

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

My take on Ryoanji: Go zen out by the famed rock garden but the surrounding premises are also not-to-be-missed.

Ryoanji Temple

More pictures are available on my Flickr (simply click any photo).

Cost: 300 - 500 yen
Access: 13, Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 616-8001, Japan

Related Posts:
Japan Day 6 – Kyoto, Day 1:

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Kyoyo, Japan: Kyoto Imperial Palace

I departed from Tokyo and had set aside 2 days for Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan (It's purely coincidental that Tokyo and Kyoto are anagrams. Tokyo is 東京 in kanji (literally 'East Capital') whereas Kyoto is 京都 or 'Capital City'). For me, Kyoto is a significant cultural centre representative of Japan, if not the most representative, and I wouldn't miss it for the world for my first trip to Japan.

The Kyoto tourist services centre is much commendable, it's located right at the Kyoto Train Station. You can head there for brochures and ask questions like 'I have 2 days in Kyoto, what do you recommend visiting?' or 'Where is the nearest onsen?' These were my exact questions as I hadn't plan for anything apart from my accommodation. The staff were knowledgeable and conversant in English and a few other languages (I doubt they will entertain queries in Elvish). I knew that Kyoto was famed for its temples and geisha, but it was here that I learnt about the guided tour at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, in English no less and for no cost. The palace is only open to visitors on the guided tour, so you can't roam freely around the grounds.

Kyoto Station

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Palace Grounds

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace

I signed up for tour that morning and got a place, I think you can book in advance online too.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Stark contrast to the Forbidden Palace in Beijing definitely

Kyoto Imperial Palace

I always prefer some commentary when visiting any historical place. The Japanese guide shared tons of interesting stuff in English (I ashamed to say I've forgotten much what she said) and made sure we didn't wander off to where we shouldn't, like inside the rooms.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

The roof is made of layers of cypress bark

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Here's a sneak shot at our fab guide. The doors and the curtains can be lifted when the weather is hot.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

What's a palace without a garden?

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace

With the priceless murals

Kyoto Imperial Palace

The grounds around the palace is now a park, lovely!

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Here're shots of the information sheet I got at the tourist services centre, you can also find out more from the Palace website link below.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Cost: free
Access: Imadegawa Station or Citybus 205, 17, 4

Related Posts:
Japan Day 6 – Kyoto, Day 1:

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Kyoto, Japan: On the Streets of Kyoto

When you come to Kyoto,

It feels like Tokyo in reverse.

You're greeted with modernity.

Kyoto Streets

That is steeped in tradition.

Kyoto Streets

Whether day or night

Kyoto Streets

Wandering the streets you're hooked on books

Kyoto Streets

or amazed at the architecture

Kyoto Streets

You'd stop to admire the flowers

Kyoto Streets

The consistency of the wood

Kyoto Streets

And the bags

Kyoto Streets

It moves

Kyoto Streets

Kyoto Streets

Yet appears to stand still in time

Kyoto Streets

Kyoto Streets

Kyoto Streets

It's traditional,

Kyoto Streets

Kyoto Streets

Yet continues to reinvent itself.

Kyoto Streets

It's a girl in kimono with a DSLR hanging off her shoulder.

Kyoto Streets

Kyoto Official Guide / JNTO Kyoto 

Related Posts:
Japan Day 6 – Kyoto, Day 1:

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My Japan Itinerary (December 2012 and June 2016)

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