Kyoto: Sun, Rain, Hail and Snow

As I reported in the previous post, I was with Oliver in Kyoto. To see as much as possible, we went to Kyoto the night before the public holiday on Friday, to have a fresh start into our journey.

Let's start the adventure!

One reason we picked the Utano Youth Hostel in Kyoto was that its location is near some famous temples. So today we went to 龍安寺 (Ryoan-ji), 仁和寺(Ninna-ji) and 金閣寺(Kinkaku-ji).

龍安寺 (Ryoan-ji)

Rain Water
Down Pipe made
in Japan :)

 This temple has a very famous rock garden. The whole temple was rebuilt in 1499 and because of the fact that during the 2nd World War, no bombs were dropped on Kyoto, we could still see the old beauty of this place. At first, you go along a big lake with many ducks inside. The whole area is huge and most of it is just one big and beautiful garden ^^ After the sun in the morning, it started raining. But luckily we were prepared :) After some minutes, we reached the stone garden.

Kind of funny how many people just watch this stone garden :)

For me, the rock garden wasn't as much interesting as the painted paper walls inside. You can just see them from the outside, but nevertheless it's amazing how old these paintings must be and how the artists from ancient times have drawn.

Maybe the template for my next flat? ;)

As you might guessed from the title already, the weather was very various this day. As we started to go outside, we got a very hot sunshine. Even the roof of the temple started to boil :D

In know, the water is just evaporating,
but boiling sounds more exciting ;)

On half of the way to the next temple, suddenly it started hailing oO It would have hurt if we hadn't our big umbrellas ^^ To avoid this weather, we went into a restaurant near our next station: 仁和寺(Ninna-ji). Well, after surviving a hail storm, nothing is better than a warm meal and 日本酒 (actually called "Nihonshu" in Japan, you may know it as "Sake" or "rice wine". But to be clear, "Sake" means in Japanese just "alcohol" in general).

仁和寺(Ninna-ji)
After half an hour, we got beautiful sunshine again, so we hurried to use it as much as possible. This temple was also interesting for me, regarding the wall paintings and the garden itself. ..... Well, not much more to say, I guess :D

Ancient Wall Painting - Maybe this is the reason why
they used paper for the walls?

If I had money ... this would be my garden ^^

金閣寺(Kinkaku-ji)
As we start going into the area, a weather change surprised us again. This time it was ... snow! And to proof my report, I captured it on photo :D

What was wrong with this day? Someone with bad karma?

I think if you heard about one temple in Kyoto, then it's probably this one. As the name says, it's famous for its Golden Tower / Pavilion (Kinkaku). It's said that the whole area (garden and buildings) represents the Pure Land of Buddha in this world. The upper two levels of the Pavilion and the Phoenix on top are covered with gold foil.

The Golden Pavilion

Aside from the obvious attractions, we found out that there is something hidden within the area what you can call a "game from ancient times". As in many temples there are some little statues representing all kinds of spirits. On these statues normally you lay down a coin to get more luck, fortune and so on or just because you can ;) Here the statues were a bit far away from the official way, so you couldn't step next to them. You had to throw the coin into a metal or stone basket in front of them. There were no official rules or something similar, so I think if you hit the most difficult basket, it means you get luck (and have skill) ^^

Were we entertained or the statues? ^^

The Unknown Shrine
Maybe it was because Oliver hit the basket one time, but we got no drastic weather changes this day again. Because we still had time until our train to Osaka departed this evening, we went to a small shrine. Actually we wanted to see a temple in Kyoto where Sakura trees were already blooming. But as we arrived there, it was already closed. Luckily, we found some Sakura in front of the temple, so the trip wasn't unsuccessful at all ^^

Our first Sakura in Kyoto

Afterwards, we walked a bit around the area and saw the typical red gate from a shrine. So we went there and were surprised by two big metal arrows standing in the ground. Normally, it is believed that these kinds of arrows are protecting from bad spirits, bad luck and so on. Maybe we should have come here sooner to protect us from the weather changes today. No one knows for sure ;)

The Last Shrine of the Day

At the evening, we just boarded onto our train to Osaka and went to our next hostel. This time it was more ... rustic. Everyone had their own very small room. but the air conditioner was central regulated and for some reasons they just blew out very hot air like we were in winter. To avoid dying, we had to open the windows. Well, not a good energy balance today, that's for sure. Luckily, I had my ear plugs, so I could avoid most of the noises from the streets and the hallway. For some other reasons, some people talked loud and washed dishes or so in the open bathroom next to our rooms. And until 4am! But you know, sleep is overrated ;)

Pictures of Today

I know, I am a bad person,
but this one is funny, don't you think? ;)

Little Island near the Golden Pavilion

Guess we were not the only ones constantly shooting photos :D

Some small Sakura ^^

"You shall not pass!"
...
Okay, this one was too easy :D

Well, if you were there, it would be funnier ^^

Actually, I don't know the name of this plant.
But it sure looks beautiful :)

Wall Decoration inside Ninna-ji

I wouldn't swim in the water,
but it looks very mysterious...

The Entry to our Last Shrine

Mysterious Pond ^^

Another thing that would make traveling in Germany sooo much better ^^
Yes, people here are disinfecting the public toilet seats before they go!
Germany, you have still so much to learn .....