Autumn in Kyoto (part one)

Last Sunday, I travelled to Kyoto to see the beautiful autumn leaves in their colour transition. Just like sakura in Spring, the leaves are a truly beautiful sight where ever you look.

The leaves need warm, sunny days and chilly nights to start the colour change process.

This was overlooking the gardens at Tofuku-ji in Kyoto


Brilliant red Japanese maples


I'm fascinated with the colours - stunning!


Red amongst the greenery


Red against the sky


In the raked garden grounds


The shaded trees are still yet to change

I found some autumn sakura!


I tried dorayaki - Doraemon's fave food

Then we journeyed to Fushimi Inari (fox) Shrine, which is the shrine for success in business. It's characterised by 10,000 red torii gates that form a pathway around the hill behind the shrine.

We didn't walk the whole way

The entrance


In the tunnel of torii


From the outside


Torii galore


Wishes of hope, luck and happiness written
on wooden fox shapes


Children dressed for the 7-5-3 festival


A ceremony in the shrine grounds

There are just too many photos of Autumn to share in one post, so I'll upload the rest of this day next time.

Until then,
Monica

Mount Hiei

On Sunday, I visited another amazing place in Kyoto called Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei - about an hour from Kyoto station.

Getting back to nature in this giant forest

We caught the special rapid from Himeji to Kyoto, then a local bus for 20 minutes to transfer to a local train station. We rode the train to the base of the mountain, then stepped into a cable car followed by a ropeway to access the mountain. From there a bus was able to take us to the major temple areas.

First, we walked the hiking track to the Todo (east) area.

This particular temple was reconstructed in 1987

The view of Lake Biwa from the temple steps was amazing!

Next, we walked to Saito (the west area) ...


... step-by-step...

...by step!

This hall is called Ninai-do and is used for meditation -

But I was interested in the look of this green moss!


Priests living in Jodo-in vow to retreat for 12 years

The main Buddhist temple is called Shaka-do

Buddha's image in stone by the temple

By the day's end, we were all hungry so we ate a late dinner back in Himeji.

Mmm. Okonomiyaki

Mount Hiei is definitely worth a look if you're staying in or visiting Kyoto.

Until next time,
Monica