Tag Archives: unesco

Tenryuji Temple (天龍寺)

Posted in Kyoto by

Tenryuji is the most important zen temple of the Arashiyama district of Kyoto. Built in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takaui in honor of late  Emperor Go-Daigo. It is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

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Zen garden when you first walk into the temple.

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Many of its original buildings were lost overtime to fire and wars. Its current buildings were rebuilt during the Meiji period. The original garden created by Muso Soseki, the first priest of Tenryuji, still stands today.

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Overall, I didn’t find this temple to be impressive. Maybe because I saw too many temples and was tired of them at this point. I enjoyed the zen garden of Kodaiji Temple more.

Admission: 500 yen

(Japan〒616-8385 京都府京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺芒ノ馬場町６８)

Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavilion)

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Formally known as Rokuon-ji Temple, but infamously known as Kinkakuji or the Golden Pavilion, this temple was built during the Muromachi period. It was previously the retirement villa of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu but became a zen temple after his death.

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Gold foil covers the top two levels of the temple while a phoenix sits atop the temple.

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You are allowed to roam the rest of the temple grounds, however, there is not much to see.

Admission: 400 yen

(1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 603-8361Japan)

Kiyomizu-dera

Posted in Kyoto by

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

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West Gate

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Hideously colored pagoda

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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.

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No nails used to support the stage….

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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.

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Loved the spring mountain back drop.

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View of Kyoto.

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

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Admission: 400 yen

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