Our last stop was Kyoto, the city is known for Japan's traditional culture and is rich with Japanese history.
We rented bikes and rode to all the sights! I really enjoyed seeing the city this way. I feel like you miss out on so much when you always ride the underground subways! Kyoto was super flat and biker friendly. There was a bike lane on the sidewalk which was nice. I just had to get used to riding on the opposite side. I did not realize they drive on the opposite side in Japan!
Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), built in 1397. Interesting fact of this temple: The Golden Pavilion was burned twice and was reconstructed after five years. In the year 1950, a monk burned the entire temple into ashes and finally planned to take his own life by jumping behind the hill. The monk survived the attempt to die. However, his mother due to the shame that her son had brought, jumped from the train into the river. The monk was sent to jail for 7 years where he died due to illness
Tsukubai, stone- wash basin. The inscription says "I learn only to be contented." He who learns only to be contented is spiritually rich, while the one who does not learn to be contented is spiritually poor even if he is materially wealthy.
Zen Rock Garden at Ryoanji Temple. The garden is made up of 15 rocks and white gravel. You are suppose to find out for yourself what the garden signifies.
We did a night tour bike ride, self guided and we saw two Geisha's heading to appointments. It was too dark to get their photo. You are suppose to go to this temple in the evening to pray for a successful night!
Such a horrible earthquake today in Japan. So glad you weren't there then.
ReplyDeleteI found the quote "I learn only to be contented" inspiring. It speaks to the lifestyle that we in America need to embrace instead of our hollow materialistic culture. Glad you have taken the opportunity to utilize the bicycle on your adventures. It really is a lovely way to see things. Fast enough to cover distance yet slow enough to be able to stop and meet people as well as experience things that you never have a chance to in a motorized vehicle.