Kyoto's stunning temples and shrines

silver pagoda (16th century) from its upper garden

Kyoto is well-known for its temples and shrines, over 1600 of them.  Our guide told us that temples are where monks live and work--Buddhist--and shrines are for honoring and praying to gods--Shinto.  Most Japanese are Buddhists and most also pray at Shinto shrines as well. 

Ryaonji Temple rock garden

I have 2 favorites, the Ryaonji Temple with its beautiful rock garden and the Golden Pavilion so beautifully reflected in a lake, mountains filling in the garden behind the temple.

The Ryaonji rock garden is peaceful and, for most visitors, a very spiritual place.  There are 15 large stones in the garden.  You cannot see all of them from any vantage point, perhaps telling the viewer that not everything in life can be seen or that some things in life are hidden. 

the Golden Pavilion

The Golden Pavilion, which was rebuilt after a fire, is stunningly beautiful.  It uses a common Japanese garden concept called "borrowing" in which the surrounding landscape--mountains, trees, water--that aren't actually part of the garden seem to be an extension of the garden because of the way the garden is designed.  It has other buildings and pretty trails through flowering trees and shrubs, conifers perfectly pruned and temple buildings.



view of Kyoto from Kiyamizu Temple

bI also love the Kiyamizu Temple because of its hillside location, beautiful pagodas and scenic walks among the trees.  The view of Kyoto from on high is a bonus, showing you the mountains surrounding the old city.


a pagoda at the Kiyamizu Temple

bamboo forest at Arashimaya



 

A number of temples have rock gardens as well as paths through forests and flowers.  At Arashimaya, you can see a wonderful bamboo forest.  At every temple and shrine, worshippers pray to Buddha or the resident spirits.