Not all high rises

Nice garden. Only the second Japanese wisteria we have seen. Beginning to suspect only the “to” of our surname refers to this plant. Google 藤 and you will find pictures. This is also called “Fugi”.

Not surprising bonsais everywhere. (Another lot we saw in Osaka were better then the collection in the pavilion in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park.)

Wire sculpture outside the Insho Domoto Museum of Fine Art. The building and art were all from Insho Domoto. Naturally no photos inside but we have the pretty postcards.

This shrine was near Kyoto Station. There was no English literature or signs and it did not appear on any tourist map.

Rengeōin 蓮華王院, commonly known as Sanjūsangendō 三十三間堂

The Western gate

The long veranda to keep the poor little monks dry and where the archery contest Tōshiya started.

Another tourist who had hoped to go to the Kyoto Museum across the road but, of course, it was closed. He also forgot to charge his camera battery. After a good chat, he cut his losses and went home to Osaka.

The garden in the courtyard

... and some ornamental features.

The courtyard

... and the main hall. There are a thousand life-sized statues in this hall. The main set of 28 Buddhist deities is the only set remaining in their original location.

The Yōgen-in Temple 養源院 opposite the Sanjūsangendō Temple. Didn’t even get a mention on one tourist map.

I think this is for women only inside. Not sure but I didn’t see the sign for ‘No Darryls’. If you are keen to find out check out the Wikipedia link 養源院

Moss

As you would expect – nice garden, lots of little temples and one decent size bell.

I thought this was just another gate but I suspect it is the entrance to another temple, Hōjūjidono.

Kinkatu (Golden Pavilion).

Great building but the photos make it look better unlike, say, the Taj Mahal.

The pond is called Kyōko-chi (Mirror pond).

Nice to see something other than crows. Like the Tower of London, ravens dominate temples and castles.

The stone pagoda, Hakuja-no-tsuka, on an island in the higher pond, An-min-taku.

Stone sculpture. This was out the front where the surrounding garden was large and spectacular.

Classic tea house called Sekka-tei.

The moss roof on the tea house.

The locals. This is out the back of the priests’ and abbot’s living quarters.

Fudōdō shrine.

Tōji Temple

Yes this is a big one.

Some detail of the construction. The beams were huge.

Kon-dō (Main Hall) is the largest building here. Another is Ko-dō (Lecture Hall) with a good set of Buddhist statues which of course you cannot photograph.

The area was quite large and no doubt previously had a much bigger garden. Nonetheless still very pretty

... with some wild life. Quite a number here and not the size to fit in glass bowls.

Presumably temple turtles.

One rumour we heard was that Tommy is a Vietnamese Temple Turtle but clearly she is not a Kyoto Temple Turtle.

I think this is an administration building. It just looked pretty

... with a couple of pretty shrubs.

Within the area are two Shinto shrines. This one is Hachiman Shrine.

Yashima Shrine. The building behind the trees is the five-story pagoda.

How can you run an economy if you tie up prime real-estate?

No English brochure so just happy snaps.

This temple is well used. The awning in the previous photo is not for renovations, it was to allow extra chairs on the veranda.

Not sure of the religious significance of photographing the main shine but local tourists were doing so and people who looked official (for a temple) did not object.

Bob and Sato stopped for a photo opportunity. With lots of treats, Bob (or Sato) was able to take a photo of Sato (or Bob) with one of the main gates in the background.