A full day's tour in Kyoto

My friend Margaret & I had a full day's tour of Kyoto during cherry blossom viewing. Her Japanese relatives toured us around in grand style via taxi and a walking tour. Sadly, it poured the whole day. Happily, due to the rain, the temples were virtually empty. We started at Kinkakuji, aka the Golden Pavillion.

http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english/e_kinkakuji/index.html



After walking the grounds of Kinkakuji, we had a fine cup of green tea together. Here's Toshihiro and Keiko.

Then we were off to Ryoanji temple (aka the peaceful dragon temple) to see the famous zen rock garden below the cherry blossoms.

http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/kyoto/ryoanjiindex.htm

Finally we went to Kiyomizu-dera, Toshihiro's personal favorite of Kyoto temples. This was my first time at this temple and it was astounding. There is a little waterfall here pouring from these three outlets. People collect this water to drink for its therapeutic effects. To drink from these three water sources brings one health, longevity and success.

This temple is located in the wooded hills east of Kyoto. You can only get there by foot, thus conferring a feeling of utter tranquility.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyomizu-dera

We did much more than see temples with our guides. We had the perfect bowl of ramen for lunch and also the perfect cup of coffee in the afternoon.

Thank you Toshihiro and Keiko!