Kyoto, Japan: Ginkakuji Temple

Gold for the Grandfather, Silver for the Grandson

Kinkakuji (Golden) Temple was built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. His grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth Muromachi Shogunate, in turn, built Ginkakuji Temple in 1482.

Initially built as villa Higashiyama (or formally Higashiyama Jishoji) for retirement, the common name for the Zen temple is Kinkakuji. As with the Kinkakuji, the interior is not open to public. Get the brochure for a glimpse.

The 50m-long hedges made of stones, bamboo and camellias leading to the courtyard

The contrast of Ginsyadan representing waves and white sand Mt Fuji-shaped Kogetsudai

The phoenix on the roof constantly guards Ginkakuji, which is dedicated to Kannonbosatsu, the Goddess of Mercy.

The Streets outside the temple

If you visit the gold, do make time for the silver.

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

Ginkakuji Temple (Japanese)/ Ginkakuji Temple (English)

Cost:

Access: 300 to 500 yen

Access: 2 Ginkakuji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City

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Kyoto, Japan: Otowa Spring

Drink to fulfill wishes and for a healthy long-life

The Otowa Springs is set on the grounds of the Kiyomezu-dera Temple, just wander. The history of the temple began with the Otowa Spring in 788 AD. According to the sign, and the legend, any wishes you pray for here can come true. Some even believe that each of the 3 branches of the spring has its own meaning, such as health, love, wealth, intelligence (that's four!). To the temple at least, all water share the same meaning. How are the wishes fulfilled? Visitors are to drink the spring the water while praying. The Kannon (or God or Goddess) has 11 faces to listen to people's prayers and troubles, 33 appearances to morph into and 1000 hands to save people. I'm reminded of the 1000-hand bodhisattva, Guanyin or Goddess of Mercy that my family prays to.

You can even get a special wishing bowl and bring home the blessings.

I'm impressed that they have such facilities.

Leaving the grounds of the Temple

Kiyomezu-dera, the Jishu Shrine and the Otowa Spring - what  a great day-trip off Gion.

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

Otowa Spring

Cost: free

Access: Near Kiyomizu-dera Temple

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• Toji Temple
• Kyoto, Japan: Going Green in Gion
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion District
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion’s Shirakawa Street
• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Jishu Shrine & Otowa Spring
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• Making More Offerings and Getting your Fortunes Told in Kyoto
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Kyoto, Japan: Jishu Shrine

Visit the Cupid of Japan, See the Love Stones, Get your Fortune

Around the grounds of the Kiyomizure Temple, it will be hard to miss the Jishu Shrine and the Otowa Spring, as there will be hoards of people buying love charms and queuing for a drink.

The Jishu Shrine, which houses "the cupid of Japan", is not a part of the Kiyomizu-dera, and is believed by young people especially, to be the dwelling place of the god of love and matchmaking (imagine the implications!).

The love god, Okuninushi no Mikoto's story appears in the ancient history book of Japan, the Kojiki. In the story, a rabbit deceived others for its own gains and was forced to peel off its skin. Okuninushi, a sweet-tempered god, healed it and made it mend its ways.

Get a Jishu Shrine charm, which promises 'splendid love' for your own happiness or that of your children from 500 yen.

Get a paper doll.

Or, hang an 'ema' plaque to pray for love.

I couldn't resist an English fortune!

If it's bad, leave it.

The two "love fortune-telling" stones are about 10 metres apart. If you walk safely from one stone to the other with eyes closed, your love will be realized (darn, I didn't know then).

If you do get married after a visit, remember to return to the shrine to offer your thanks!

I love the messages in the English information sheet.

There is only one human race even though there are many nationalities.

I sure hope the Cupid of Japan can give the people of the world endless love, wisdom and happiness. Also,

Thank you for coming such a long way to visit this shrine.

P.S. Jishu Shrine, the pleasure is all mine. And to you who is reading this post, thank you for dropping by, and I wish you, endless love, wisdom and happiness.

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

Jishu Shrine (Japanese)/ Jishu Shrine English

Cost: free

Access: Near Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Related Posts:

My Japan Itinerary (December 2012)

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• Check out and deposit luggage at reception
• Using the Kyoto City Pass One-Day Pass
• Train to Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Toji Temple
• Kyoto, Japan: Going Green in Gion
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion District
• Kyoto, Japan: Gion’s Shirakawa Street
• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Jishu Shrine & Otowa Spring
• Ginkakuji Temple
• Making More Offerings and Getting your Fortunes Told in Kyoto
• Train to Osaka