hweiming's blog: world heritage

Saturday, 10 December 2016

Japan Trip 2016: Day 9 Part 1 10 Dec 2016 Sat - Nijo-jo Castle (二条城), Kyoto

We woke up early because I have booked us on the Kyoto World Heritage Loop Bus which operates from 1 November to 25 December 2016. I wanted an early start at 8:30am so that we could see at least half of the world heritage sites in Kyoto. :P

View from our window

We were at the restaurant by 7:30am and it was quite crowded but we managed to get a table. The spread is not too bad, with both international and Japanese breakfast dishes. By 8:20am, we were waiting at the K'Loop bus-stop which is opposite our hotel, very convenient. :)

We soon arrived at the first stop of our cultural day - Nijo-jo Castle (二条城), a world heritage site since 1994. It was built in 1603 and used as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns. It became the imperial palace after the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867. Nijo-jo Castle is one of the best examples of castle palace architecture of Japan's feudal era. It is a beautiful castle.

On the K'Loop bus

Our stop: Nijo-jo Castle

In front of a photo of what the outer gate would look like

Karamon Gate

Intricate designs of the Karamon Gate

Ninomaru Palace (no photography inside)

Karamon Gate as viewed from Ninomaru Palace

Ninomaru Garden

In front of large pond in Ninomaru Garden

Nijo-jo Castle, side view

Japan Trip 2016: Day 9 Part 2 10 Dec 2016 Sat - Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion; 金閣寺), Kyoto

We boarded the K'Loop bus and was at the second stop of our cultural day by 10:15am: Kinkakuji Temple or Golden Pavilion (金閣寺), another world heritage site. It is a Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, making it really shiny and bright in the sunlight. Kinkakuji Temple is really beautiful and serene, with its almost perfect reflection in the water when the wind was still.

The tickets in form of good luck charms, different for adult and child

Perfect reflection

Like a picture

You can see a golden phoenix at the top

Fudo Hall

Japan Trip 2016: Day 9 Part 3 10 Dec 2016 Sat - Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion, 銀閣寺), Kyoto

Onward to our third stop, Ginkakuji Temple or Silver Pavilion (銀閣寺), a World Heritage site. We saw Philosopher's Path but didn't walk the length of it. Maybe next time. There is a small lane which leads straight to Ginkakuji Temple. There are shops on the small lane which are quaint and interesting as well as restaurants.

Philosopher's Path

Small lane leading up to Ginkakuji Temple

Ginkakuji Temple looks plain in comparison to Kinkakuji Temple. Although it is also called Silver Pavilion, it actually looks more white than silver. There is also a dry sand garden called Sea of Silver Sand.

Leading to front entrance

Tickets in the form of good luck charms

Ginkakuji Temple or Silver Pavilion (銀閣寺)

Hondo (main hall)

Sand garden: Sea of Silver Sand

View of Ginkakuji Temple from the hill behind the buildings

After our visit, we ate cream puffs and shopped at one of the interesting craft shops. It was close to 1:30pm. We decided to go to the next stop of our cultural day as the next pick up time was 1:40pm or we would have to wait till 2:10pm. We could also have our lunch at the next stop since we had some cream puffs.