Kyoto sightseeing DAY 1

14th July marks the first serious sightseeing session in Kyoto!
1. 永観堂 (Eikandō) formally known as Zenrinji Temple, belongs to the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism. It is the most popular in autumn due to its beautiful colours, but even during this season it was more than beautiful:

2. Nanzen-ji Temple and Nanzen-in Garden. 

In 1264, Emperor Kameyama built a place here. He believed deeply in Zen Buddihsm and changed the place into a temple in 1291. thus was Nanzen-ji Temple founded. A part of the palace garden still remains. the garden, constructed at the end of the Kamakura era, is a typical landscape garden with large ponds and lanes for strolling. It is serenely surrounded by woods and has been designated as one of the three scenic, historical gardens in Kyoto. This garden should be appreciated with calm mind:

3. 平安神宮 (The Heian Shrine) is a Shinto shrine. It is ranked as a Beppyou Jinja (The top rank for Shrines) by the Association of Shinto Shrines. It is listed as an important cultural property of Japan. The Japanese-style garden takes up about half the land area:

4. 銀閣寺 (Ginkaku-ji), the "Temple of the Silver Pavilion," is a Zen temple. It is one of the constructions that represent the Higashiyama Culture of Muromachi period. The official name is 慈照寺 (Jishō-ji) or the "Temple of Shining Mercy." The temple is today associated with the Shokoku-ji branch of Rinzai Zen. The two-storied 観音殿 (Kannon hall), is the main temple structure. Its construction began February 21, 1482. The structure's design sought to emulate the golden Kinkaku-ji. It is popularly known as Ginkaku, the "Silver Pavilion" because of the initial plans to cover its exterior in silver foil.

As everywhere around the world, also here people indicate their hopes of coming back by throwing money into a pond:

5. Yoshidai-jinja. As much as I would love to tell you more about this Shrine, I got there quite randomly. I asked a lady on the street what kind of Shrine it was and she only answered that contrary to any other it is believed that many different Gods live there in a harmony:

6. 下鴨神社 (Shimogamo-jinja) in Japanese, is the common name of an important Shinto sanctuary in the Shimogamo district of Kyoto. It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The term Kamo-jinja in Japanese is a general reference to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine (next point), the traditionally linked Kamo shrines of Kyoto; Shimogamo is the older of the pair, being believed to be 100 years older than Kamigamo, and dating to the 6th century, centuries before Kyoto became the capital of Japan. The Kamo-jinja serve the function of protecting Kyoto from malign influences.

In my opinion one of the nicest Shrines that I have seen so far!

6. 上賀茂神社 (Kamigamo Jinja), although it is uncertain in what year this shrine was established, after the founding of the Heian-kyo capital, Kamowakeikazuchi - jinja shrine attracted worshippers from the Imperial Court as a guardian shrine. The Main Shrine building (Honden) and the Associate Shrine building (Gonden), both National Treasures, are built in the style of Heian Period architecture. In addition are 34 other buildings, all designated as Important Cultural Properties. In ancient times Kamowakeikazuchi jinja was known as the family shrine of the powerful Kamo clan of Yamashiro. This shrine, together with Kamomioya Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine), is also known simply as Kamo Shrine. A stream runs through the precincts, which contain ancient trees. Two tatezuna (sand delta cones) in front of the hosodono building contribute to an atmosphere of mystical and ancient purity as the place where the deity descends.

Unfortunately, the Shrine was closed for visitors and I was not allowed to enter and take photos. Instead they had the Art Exhibition on a field leading to the Shrine: