Between the Mausoleum and Kiyomizu temple
is a graveyard. When you look at it from the top of the mountain it looks
like a small village.
Kiyomizu temple is situated on the outskirts
of Kyoto city in the mountains. The wooden temple is constructed without the
use of nails or any metal. The view from here is amazing!
When Flick visited from Brisbane, we went
with Raj, a fellow JET, and tried our luck with the fortunes of Kiyomizu...
The Daimonji festival in Kyoto city. 5 huge
bonfires are lit in the mountains in the shape of various Kanji characters.
If you look closely in the back ground you can see the Dai character!
In the city of Uji (south of Kyoto city)
there is a brilliant display of fireworks for O-Bon every year. The show lasts
for a couple of hours!
The inside (above) and outside (right) of
the Higashi-Honganji Temple.
Evidence of modern life in Kyoto... a pachinco
parlor. This is between Shi-jo and San-jo the only place to find night life
in Kyoto city!!
Here are some photos from an all day bike
trek that Pete (the only other Australian JET in Kyoto Prefecture!) and I
embarked on in the middle of winter. We did not find the snow but we saw some
magnificent views along the way!
We also found time to stop into a traditional
Japanese restaurant for green tea, miso soup and omrice. The perfect replenishment
before the long ride home in the pouring rain!
The Otani mausoleum dedicated to the founder
of the Shin Buddhist tradition, Shinran Shonin.
Prior to Tokyo, Kyoto was the capital of Japan from 784
to 1869 AD. During this time many temples and shrines
were built and many still remain today. Kyoto is known for conserving traditional
Japan. (Although, if you have ever seen Kyoto station you may not think
so!) It really is a beautiful place and I have spent many hours walking,
cycling and exploring the city and the prefecture! It truly is a great place
to live in Japan!
