Japan Day 6.2 - Kyoto

Bamboo Time

I loved the bamboo forest and I now realize how lucky I was to be able to take this picture without anyone else in it.

Having spent some more time researching these areas and looking at other people’s photos, it’s become increasingly clear how busy Kyoto normally is. Normally there are tourists everywhere and it’s hard to get a clean picture without any obstructions.

Wandering from shrine to shrine was an amazing experience because I had most of these streets to myself. There were still other people, sure. However if I waited a few minutes I could always get the shot I wanted.

Or at least a near approximation.

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Gate to my Goal

This was the walkway up to the Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple. A major goal I had for this trip was to see the bamboo forest, and if possible to get an obstruction free shot.

Offerings to the Past

I loved the contrast of the moss against the modern coins. The light added a lot of texture to this picture that I appreciate.

Stone Memorials

There were hundreds, maybe even thousands of stone memorials. I wanted to show as many of the little details of this shrine as I could.

A Little Ways Back

As I often tend to do, I wanted to back up and show the rows of memorials that were presented in the large courtyard. Again I regretted not being able to read the characters.

In the Distance

There were so many of these little statues that a lot of my pictures started to blend together. Then I saw this red scarf in the distance that really drew my eye past the memorials and into the focal point.

Destination Bamboo

I waited for a good 30 minutes before enough people cleared out for me to get this photo. It’s one of my favourites because it represents a goal achieved and the calmness I felt while on this trip.

Same, But Different

This one is in portrait mode! I liked how it displayed the pathway a bit more than the bamboo.

Light is Peeking

The orange morning light was fast turning the bright afternoon sun, as it started to touch the top of the bamboo leaves. It really brought out the greens and yellows streaked through the canopy.

For Prayer

This carving was in a fountain at the end of the pathway. It had water streaming down and over his head. I really appreciated the craftsmanship.

Zoom In

I found the structure of bamboo a bit odd. The large bulging joints as the trees shot up into the sky. They look like they shouldn’t work.

Maintenance Hatch

This was a little side path that led up to a maintenance hut. or at least it appeared to be a maintenance hut. Either way, I loved how the pathway blends into the distance as the light streams in.

More In Memorial

This picture was when I was leaving the shrine and this tree caught my eye. I ended up staying a few more minutes to appreciate the memorials a bit more.

Showing Age

Many of these statues look old and a bit worn, but somehow you can still tell they’re cared for and appreciated. It’s as if the beauty of their age is preserved, and they’re allowed to (in some ways) decay. I found that beautiful.

More Bell!

This one was because I was looking for a good picture of the tree. Little did I know I had already gotten it a few photos back!

A Little Blue

I loved the blue against the moss. Turns out I really like moss. I sure did not know that!

Kinkaku-ji

This was another famous shrine that is often incredibly busy. Even with the lower crowds, it was still difficult to find room to get the picture I wanted. Luckily I was able to frame the trees and bring out the reflections in the lake just how I wanted.

See Me Shine

This is probably my favourite photos from the trip. Or at least the top 3. I was just walking by and almost missed this spot, but the tree framing the golden shine of the paint caught my eye.

Small, But Large

I was really fascinated by these small islands. They looked like large islands to me that could be out in ocean. Like an optical illusion.

Rain Protection

It took me a while to get here and I was starting to run out of time if I wanted to hit up my last spot. This little lean-to I found really interesting because it’s like they managed to get the tree to grow over the top of the wooden structure.

Not As Calm

The wind was picking up a little, so the reflection wasn’t as good as I was hoping, but it’s still quite prominent.

Oh Well

The pathway out of Kinkaku-ji led through a bit of a forest path and out to the road. I constantly forget in these temples that I’m in the middle of a huge city.

Always Look Up

The guardians and carvings in the ceiling beams were another aspect to Japanese structures I started to look for. It was interesting what creature or item each shrine valued.

Ryōan-ji

Since I was running out of time, I walked over to the closest temple I could find. Which turned out to be this amazing rock garden where people come to reflect.

Look For The Flowers

If you’ve read my previous blogs, the pictures of pretty flowers should not surprise you.

The Main Building

I took think picture because it seemed like such a uniquely winter experience. I loved how the stone and shadows blended together into a pattern. Something that wouldn’t happen in the summer. when the leaves were full.

The Garden

I stayed here for as long as I could. It was peaceful and I got easily lost in the careful patterns raked into the stones.

Close!

This time I zoomed in!

Maybe Too Close!

This one I used my zoom lens to see what the stones looked like up closer. I found it interesting that the close I got the more the pattern seemed to disappear.

Still Looking Up

More carvings on ceiling beams. Amazing.

To The Offices

This was quite literally the back door to the ticket office.

Who Knew!

I also really like taking pictures of bark. The layers and complexity of something that’s been grown is staggeringly fascinating to me.

Fading Light

I liked how the orange light of the fading sun brings out the flowers in the background.

There's The Theme

The theme of this trip seems to be fig blossoms. Or at least I think that’s what these are. They were all over Japan at this time and were always so photogenic.

Down the Path

This was a little side path I found just past the rock garden. I was a bit sad I couldn’t go down it. The stones looked so inviting.

How Are You So Tall?

I took this because I’d never seen straight trees before. They were weird.

A Change In Colour

The fading light really started to bring out the yellow. I also loved how the tree was propped up. We all need a little help now and again.

Liquor Stop

As I walked back to my train station, I wandered down some neighbuorhoods and looked for the everyday life of Japan. This time there was liquor in the vending machines!

Purple Train Time!

I still had some time, so I waited around for a train to pass on one of these little side streets. They really get moving!

A Sneak Peek

I liked how this felt like a sneak peak at everyday life.

Little Bike and Little Plant

I love this little bike with the small plant in the background. Simple and effective with all the colour!

Dinner Time

This was the large street of stalls just outside of my hotel. It was a wonderful place to explore, when it wasn’t closed.

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