Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺) & Heian Jingu (平安神宮) Kyoto, Japan

Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺 Temple of the Golden Pavilion), also known as Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺 Deer Garden Temple), is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto

The site of Kinkaku-ji was originally a villa called Kitayama-dai, belonging to a powerful statesman, Saionji Kintsune

It is one of the most popular buildings in Japan, attracting a large number of visitors annually

The still water offers many opportunities to delight in reflections

On July 2, 1950, at 2:30 am, the pavilion was burned down by a 22-year-old novice monk, Hayashi Yoken, who then attempted suicide on the Daimon-ji hill behind the building

Reflection

Kinkaku-ji stands facing Kyoko-chi (mirror lake) pond

Walking round the lake to the other side of the Temple

Green

The top two storeys of the pavilion are covered with pure gold leaf

The gold employed was to mitigate and purify any pollution or negative thoughts and feelings towards death

The bridge that leads to the Heian Shrine

A giant torii gate marks the approach to the shrine

The Heian Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The Shrine is ranked as a Beppyou Jinja (the top rank for Shrines) by the Association of Shinto Shrines

The architecture of the main palace mirrors the style and features of the Kyoto Imperial Palace

This lady, as you will see later, is rushing to prepare herself for a wedding

The Shrine has a relatively short history, dating back just over a hundred years to 1895

Always lovely to see the Kimono. The word "kimono", which literally means a "thing to wear" (ki "wear" and mono "thing")

We suddenly heard the sound of music as a wedding procession appeared

Everyone rushed over to take photographs

Traditional Japanese instruments were being played

This is the lady (on the right) that we saw earlier rushing to get ready

And here is the bride dressed in a traditional wedding kimono, but no hat. The family must have high ranking in Kyoto society to be able to get married in this wonderful shrine

A young, traditional couple at a wishing tree

As we were walking away from the temple. Perhaps there will be another wedding soon!

Kiyomizudera (清水寺), Kyoto, Japan

Welcome to Kyoto!. Kiyomizudera (清水寺, literally "Pure Water Temple") is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan

Just outside the entrance to the temple a lady monk or pilgrim, stands completely still holding her bowl

The niōmon (deva gate) and three-storied pavilion

Kiyomizudera was founded in the early Heian period.The temple was founded in 798, and its present buildings were constructed in 1633. Since its foundation, the temple has burned down many times

We saw many young women at the temple in traditional dress

So colourful!

The gate and pagoda are a beautiful introduction to the rest of the temple

Framed in the doorway, reviewing a photo

Close-up

A moment of reflection

Pretty as a picture

Traditional clothing of the Edo period (1600-1868) included the kimono and obi. The Edo period is when the present buildings were constructed

Steps leading to the Jishu Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking. In front of the shrine are two stones, placed 18 meters apart. Successfully finding your way from one to the other with your eyes closed is said to bring luck in finding love

Japanese and couples from other countries who have visited the shrine. I don't understand what the banners say but I guess it's about love!

Making a happy wish for love, and a husband?

Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below

Most of the stage was full of school boys, who were clearly enjoying their day out. Kiyomizu Stage was built using a special method; huge 12-meter high keyaki (Japanese Zelkova) pillars were assembled without using a single nail and the floor was installed using more than 410 cypress boards

The popular expression "to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu" is the Japanese equivalent of the English expression "to take the plunge". This refers to an Edo period tradition that held that, if one were to survive a 13m jump from the stage, one's wish would be granted. Two hundred thirty-four jumps were recorded in the Edo period and, of those, 85.4% survived.The practice is now prohibited

The pagoda and to the left in the distance is the centre of Kyoto

A rest and a cup of sencha restores the body

Kiyomizudera (the temple of pure water) was named after Otowa Waterfall. Water from a spring in the mountain has been falling there since its foundation

Visitors drink from the sacred water which is believed to have wish-granting powers

There are 3 channels of water that fall into a pond below

Each channel of water is said to have a different benefit, namely to cause longevity, success at school and a fortunate love life

However, drinking from all three streams is considered greedy

The Otowa Waterfall is located at the base of Kiyomizudera's main hall

A fully-costumed Geisha makes her way to the temple

Others take an easier option to arrive there. The road leading to the temple is uphill and the rickshaw-man was struggling to pull it

More photo viewing

This is a photography studio. Many thanks to this lady for graciously allowing to me to gatecrash and take my own photo