Honen-in

This temple was founded by priest Honen in the 12th century.

This sand arrangement known as Byakusadan represents water

Saw this painting inside the building

Philosopher's Walk

This 2 km long path runs along the canal from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji. It is so named because a Kyoto University professor of philosophy used it for his daily constitution in the 19th century.

Ginkaku-ji

Ginkaku-ji is a Zen temple and commonly known as the Temple of the Silver Pavilion.  This temple was built in c1640 as a mountain retreat for Shogun Yoshimasa. In tribute to his grandfather who covered the Kinkaku-ji in gold leaf, the Shogun intended to cover the pavilion in silver. However, his plan was thwarted by the Onin War and never materialized. 

The Silver Pavilion without its intended silver coating

The sand garden known as The Sea of Silver Sand

Lunch near Ginkakuji

We had our lunch at this restaurant near Ginkakuji

Nishiki Market

Popularly known as Kyoto's Kitchen, this market specializes in all things food related such as food, knives and cookware.

The market is situated inside this building

Tenmangu Shrine

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine (formerly known as Gion Shrine) is a Shinto shrine in the heart of Gion district in Kyoto. Although the shrine was first built in 656, buildings that remain today are from the 17th century.

Ringing the bell at the Honden

The main entrance guarded by two Shinto guardians

Ishibei-Koji Lane

The old houses on this lane are preserved as important historical buildings. 

The entrance

These wooden buildings have remain unchanged for more than a century

The exit

Yasaka Pagoda

This five storey pagoda was rebuilt in 1440 to replace an earlier pagoda.

We couldn't  enter as it was closed

Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka

Kyoto's two most attractive streets are Sannenzaka (three-year slope) and Ninenzaka (two-year slope) which are listed as preservation districts. These streets have been in existence since 807. 

 

We started at Sannenzaka so that we could walk down the slope

The streets are lined with wooden houses, traditional shops and restaurants. 

The beginning of Ninenzaka

This is where you can imagine how old Kyoto used to be