Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple)
The wooden stage of Kiyomizu-dera's main hall
Kiyomizu-dera
Koyasu Pagoda, from the stage of Kiyomizu-dera's main hall
Higashiyama District
Kenin-ji
Hanamikoji-dori (street) has tea houses and high-end restaurants
A Kyoto tree house
Kokedera, the moss garden of Saiho-ji. Truly breathtaking
Entry to Saiho-ji required mailing a reservation request, with proposed dates and Japanese-stamped return envelope, several weeks prior to the visit
Visitor numbers are kept low to provide a quiet, peaceful atmosphere
Saiho-ji
Japanese macaques at Iwatayama Monkey Park
Okochi Sanso garden was another Kyoto highlight
Okochi Sanso Villa is the former home of Japanese period film actor, Denjito Okochi
Okochi Sanso garden
Fushimi Inari-tiasha has about 10,000 torii
Komyo-in was established in 1391 but the Zen garden was only built in 1939
Komyo-in has beautiful interior decorations and bonsai
Komyo-in is a sub-temple of the large Tofuku-ji
Komyo-in
Tofuku-ji is a large Zen temple complex particularly famous for its autumn colours
While some Tofuku-ji buildings are very old, the Hojo Zen garden was only built in 1939
Hojo garden (East); Tofuku-ji
Tofuku-ji
Tsutenkyo Bridge, Tofuku-ji
The entrance to Reigen-in, another sub-temple of Tofuku-ji
Sanjusangen-do contains an amazing collection of statues, including 1001 statues of Kannon (photography isn't allowed inside)
Stairs at the large Chion-in complex
Yuzen-en garden, Chion-in
Yuzen-en, Chion-in
Ginshaden ('Sea of Silver Sand') and Kogetsudai, a volcanic shaped mound of sand, at Ginkaku-ji
The Ginkaku-ji garden is stunning
Ginkaku-ji garden
Hojo garden at Nanzen-ji
Nanzen-ji
A meeting room at Nanzen-ji
Murin-an garden
Yasaka Pagoda was first built in 589. The current structure was built in 1440
Daiun-in
Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavillion)
Kinkaku-ji. Offerings are left as signs of respect and gratitude and to seek blessings, protection and good fortune. This one was popular with school kids trying to land coins in the bowl
Kinkaku-ji
Japan's most famous rock garden, at Ryoan-ji
Exquisite dragon paintings on screens inside the hall beside the rock garden of Ryoan-ji
Lilies and a turtle at Ryoan-ji
Nijo Castle
Ninomaru Garden, Nijo Castle
The wonderful sculptured Zen garden of Enko-ji
Enko-ji
Geological perfection at Enko-ji. Very Zen
Stairway light show, Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station
Kyoto Tower
Our accomodation and host/neighbour in Kyoto were exceptional
