Central Japan: Day 4

My first visit to Kyoto!

I started the day off at Fushimi Inari-taisha, which is the head shrine for a branch of Shinto that is represented by the symbol of a fox.  This shrine is also famous for its path leading up a mountain that is lined with thousands of torii, the red gates that usually indicate the entrance to a shrine.  The path is actually the reason I went.

The path splits into two sections for part of the trip

The gates look plain when viewed while ascending, but on the way back (or if you just turn around on the way up) you see one side of the gate marked with the date of its placement (I think) and the other side is marked with the address and name of the company or individual who paid for it.  I've heard that some of these gates, depending on their size, cost several thousand dollars each.

The fourth one in from the left is an address somewhere in my neighborhood in Tokyo

More E-ma (see yesterday's post).  I like the faces drawn on these: combine your prayers with an art project!

Next I went to Tofukuji, which I had read was famous for its autumn leaves.  Turns out I might have been just a few days too early for the best colors, but I did see some of the best roof shapes of the trip so far (yay!):

Looking straight up from the ground below one of the two-storied pavilions

Enjoyed an Uji Matcha (a type of green tea from Uji, just south of Kyoto City) and saw a few interesting sights on the way to my next destination:

Dressed for the colder weather...

A snack option on the way up the hill to the entrance.

Next stop was Ginkaku-ji, one of the most well-known temples in Kyoto.  An absolutely perfect time of year to see the turning leaves.

The "Silver Pavilion"

The rock garden and some of the foliage.

Another part of the garden

From there, I walked about 30 minutes down the Philosopher's Path to my next stop, Eikando.  This is the head temple for one of the Buddhist sects and also another spot noted for its autumn leaves.  I arrived half an hour before they opened the gates to see the trees illuminated in the dark.

My pictures just don't do it justice...my poor little camera has never been good at night photography and I was a little disappointed tonight's results, but it was a beautiful walk nonetheless.

Ate a murasaki-imo (purple potato) croquette as I made my way back to the train station and enjoyed a view of Kyoto Tower before heading back to the hotel.

Next up: Nara!