Kyoto

Kyoto sightseeing - Colin

After a simple breakfast at the Kyoto tower hotel annex, the group met up in the lobby at about 8:30. After a quick meeting, we made our way to the bus, which was right outside of the hotel. The bus was fantastic. I think that everyone was getting a little tired of all the trains and subways, so having a bus in which everyone coulee chill out between attractions was the way to go. And it was air conditioned!

Before each stop, the group leaders, Andrew and myself, gave a quick overview of what the place we were about to experience was all about. We went to, in order:
Kiyomizu-dera
Nijo-Jo -nijo castle
Ryoanji - the rock garden
Kinkakuji - the golden temple

Kiyomizu-dera was an incredible experience. The view of Kyoto was beautiful, and the buildings exuded a certain ancient elegance. There were many shrine, offerings and blessings to be had. Around every bend someone was lighting an incense or paying their respects. A unique blessing that I experience was one with three streams of water flowing into a small pool. You could only drink from one, but each bestowed a different blessing upon you: study, love or long life. Of course everyone chose study. Also, the shopping was very goo, similar to Asakusa, with lots of different trinkets. Then we got onto the bus again and headed to Nijo-Jo.

Nijo-Jo, for me, was extremely cool. The buildings were just like ones i had seen in various ninja movies and games. The squeaking floorboards were very interesting. Again, from one of the towers , the view of japans ancient capital was breathtaking. The example of the timeless architecture, which s forever depicted in multiple art forms, was indescribable to experience first hand. It was also interesting to see how the castles of dual japan codifier from those of typical European or English castles. The design reflected something of the era it was designed in , and shed some light on not only military affairs of ancient japan, but also what was considered luxurious at that time. Afterwards, we headed to the rod garden.

The Ryoanji was just a simple rock gnarden inside of a harmonious temple, consisting of only white sand 15 laid out rocks, but it was a prime example of zen and a masterpiece of Japanese culture. The temple gave out an aura of peacefulness and I think it was well needed after the busy week and a half that we had completed.