Kiyomizu-dera

Posted in Kyoto by yumtravels

Kiyomizu-dera is the temple of pure water because it was built around the Otowa waterfall, which flows spring water from the mountain. The temple has been burned down several times, a reoccurring theme in Japan it seems. The current buildings were rebuilt during the Edo period. The temple is now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Deva Gate

West Gate

Hideously colored pagoda

The main hall (hondo) houses the eleven faced and thousands armed statue of Kannon. The infamous extended Kiyomizu stage is made out of wood 12 meters high and held together without nails.

No nails used to support the stage….

You may drink the water from the Otowa waterfall. Each stream represents longevity, academic success, or fortunate love life. You may drink from more than one stream but to drink from all three streams is seen as greedy.

Loved the spring mountain back drop.

View of Kyoto.

Secret pagoda for some peace and quiet away from the people pollution.

Admission: 400 yen

(294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862 Japan)

9Jun2015

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Posted in Kyoto by yumtravels

Home to the infamous thousands of red (vermillion) torii gates shrine. Below is the Romon Gate donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1589. Behind it is Honden, the main shrine building.

Fushimi Inari is named after the mountain it sits atop, Mount Inari,

and the Shinto god of rice it gives homage to, Inari. Foxes are known to be Inari’s messengers. Therefore, you will see them everywhere before the shrines.

Beginning of the ascent to the thousands of red torii gates.

One of the many mini shrines that dot the mountain.

Senbon trail is the parallel rows of mini torii gates. Each torii gate is donated either by an individual or company in hopes of prosperity. The small gates start at 400,000 yen while the larger ones can cost up to 1 million yen.

One is not like the other.

After about a 40 min ascent, you will come across Yotsutsuji intersect with a view of Kyoto. Tip: Bring some snacks and water with you as it is mostly uphill. Onigiri is a small and filling snack. 7-11 offers a decent variety.

If you’re adventurous, you can continue the path for another 1.5- 2.5 hours to reach the full summit.

Admission: free.

(68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 612-0882, Japan)

20May2015

Meiji Jingu

Posted in Tokyo by yumtravels

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the souls of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

When you first enter, you will come across the huge Torii gate.

As you follow the path, you will come across the sake and wine casks dedicated to Emperor Meiji. Each year a sake cask is donated by Meiji Jingu Nationwide Sake Brewers Association in hopes of prosperity.

Emperor Meiji is known for embracing the Western culture and starting the modernization of Japan, which allowed Japan to become one of the world’s major power. Below are wine casks in commemoration of his radical actions of consuming Western food and enjoying wine with it.