...beautiful (the scenery, I mean)...
...without even trying. You don't have to put in any effort to take a postcard-worthy photo. This is a random shot captured without any filters or touch-ups.
Even the entrance ticket is beautiful. Looks like an amulet.
The temple complex is a Zen Buddhist hall of the Rinzai sect, and contains relics of Buddha. The Golden Pavilion itself represents the Pure Land of Buddha in this world. The area on which the complex currently sits was acquired by the third shogun of the Muromachi period, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, in 1397, and transformed into a temple after his death. Golden foil on lacquer covers the exterior and interior of the upper two levels of the pavilion.
The second thing you need to know about Kinkakuji is...
...everyone wants the same shot as you, and will not hesitate to step in front, behind, beside and over you to get it. This was the crowd we had to contend with, and this was within the first 5 minutes of the park's opening hours.
Despite the crowds interrupting your photos and spiritual self-reflection, I would still recommend visiting the temple, as one can't help but be wide-eyed impressed by the gold-leaf covered pavilion resting elegantly on the clear, still lake, and framed by lush foliage around it.
After one hour of jostling around with the endless stream of tourists - locals and foreigners alike - crowding around the same sprays of autumn leaves, focusing our lenses on the same atmospheric branches, and posing in front of the same gold, orange, red and yellow speckled path, we called it quits and went off in search of another chance at enlightenment.
Ryoanji Temple is a short 7-minute taxi ride away (you can also take a bus right in front of Kinkakuji) and offered its famous rock garden to us to contemplate the mysteries of life. The garden itself measured only 25m x 10m, and is very simply made up of white gravel and 15 rocks. From this, many have attempted to read into the unknown designer's intent: is it to represent the Chinese character for "heart" (心)?; does it show islands in the sea or mountain peaks in the clouds?; maybe it is the "tiger taking the cubs over the stream"?. It cannot simply be a random arrangement, making use of whatever he could find and looked pretty that day, right? (yes it was, if you ask me)
What do you make of it?
These girls interrupted YL's search for the meaning of life. Oh wait, maybe he just found it...
Do you think that was also the reason he insisted that we take photos with these local group of friends in kimono who were enjoying their matcha ice-cream at the Kinkakuji?
The tea room
Since we skipped breakfast, we grabbed an early lunch at the vegetarian and tofu restaurant adjoining the temple, Seigenin. At 11:30am, it was already almost full, so we gladly took one of the last few tables available.
We ordered the standard set from the simple English menu. I am not a big fan of tofu, but this was really delicious in its simplicity. Sophie, being the semi-vegetarian in the family, needless to say, ate with relish. Even Ju finished up his portion very quickly and did not complain about the meat-less menu.
The setting of the restaurant was unbeatable, with a wide open view of the gardens on both sides of the pavilion.
From Ryoanji, we took a local tram to Arashiyama (Phoenix Hills) in western Kyoto, another popular site for autumn colours and tourists. Unfortunately, you just have to take my word that it is a pretty place, because we could hardly take any pictures as it was heaving with people.
This is the famous landmark in Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge
I had also planned on taking a short 30-min train ride up and around the hills to enjoy the autumn air and colours, but unfortunately again, the tickets were completely sold out for the entire week. If you plan to go, do book the Sagano Romantic Train at least 2 months in advance if you are visiting during the cherry blossoms or autumn viewing period.
So we could only enjoy the colours on the ground in Arashiyama...
Besides the train ride and temples, Arashiyama is also famous for its evocative bamboo grove. The best way to access it is from the exit of Tenryuji Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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