It was raining on the next morning in Arima onsen and Kinki area. Returned to Kyoto around lunch time by express bus. Lined up outside our fav sushi shop beneath the Kyoto station before checking in Hotel Okura. Stayed in room facing the Higashiyama area for the first time. Some famous landmarks such as Chion-in, Nanzenji, Eikando etc could be identified with the help of a brief map on the window pane.
There was a light haze in Higashiyama after rain had stopped.
Had breakfast in our fav coffee shop chain in Teramachi. It was quiet with few customers – unlike its shops elsewhere. Besides, it has a mini-Japanese garden inside.
Dropped by Honno-ji (本能寺) next door, at the back there is a small temple dedicated to Oda Nobunaga and his sword grave. Honnō-ji is most famous for the Honnō-ji incident – the assassination of Oda Nobunaga. In that incident the original temple had been burned down whereas the current temple was subsequently rebuilt.
Teramachi, Kyoto
Seiryo-ji (清凉寺)
Visited this temple in Arashiyama – as recommended by a respected local Sensei. It stores several national treasures of Japan (photos not allowed), including a small wooden Buddha statue* originated from India, brought to China during the Southern dynasties and finally brought to Japan during the Song dynasty 1000+ years ago.
Though koyo was off-peak in the landscape garden at the back, there were some brilliant spots on its premises. Visitors were sparse.
=====> Kyoto (Part 2) =====>
