Kamo river is a great place to stroll or have a picnic when the weather is nice in Kyoto.

Parallel to the river are restaurants with extended balconies to create a nice dining experience.

(Gion, Kyoto, Japan)
Kamo river is a great place to stroll or have a picnic when the weather is nice in Kyoto.

Parallel to the river are restaurants with extended balconies to create a nice dining experience.

(Gion, Kyoto, Japan)
Kodaiji temple was my favorite temple on this trip. The zen qualities of the temple was soothing among the busy rhythm of this trip.

This temple was built in 1605 by Kita-no-Mandokoro, also known as Nene, in honor of her late husband Toyotomi Hideyoshi. However the temple is named after Kita-no-Mandokoro’s honorary name Kodai-in.

Peaceful zen stone garden in front of the main hall.

Kaisan-do, Founder’s Hall, with bonsai trees.

Hojo, main hall, rebuilt after being burned down in 1912.

Garyoro corridor, named after the resemblance to the back of a reclining dragon.

Mausoleum enshrining Toyotomi and Nene.

Shigure-tei teahouse constructed by bamboo and logs interwoven in a radiating pattern.

Next up on my house plans will be a bamboo forest.

Huge goddess statue.

Admission: 500 yen