Japan: Kiyomizu-dera

Japan: Kyoto, Day 1: Spending a day with the Cousins

For my first full day in Japan, we met up with two of our Japanese cousins, and set out to explore some of the big temples and shrines in Kyoto.

Emily and I stopped in at a little cafe for breakfast, where I had a ham breakfast sandwich (seems to be a popular breakfast item in Japan).  I tried out my limited Japanese vocabulary on the waitress.  I was nervous and completely butchered "thank you," but the waitress was so delighted that I tried.

We then met up with Kiyoshi-San and Tomoko-San, our cousins, right outside the Kiyomizu-dera Temple--the temple of the goddess of Mercy--which was originally built in 778 AD, but has been burned down several times.  Most of the buildings standing today were built in 1631-1633 AD.

The history behind the temples and shrines is so fascinating.  To know that thousands of years ago, the Japanese people worshiped and worked where I was standing was incredible.  Even though Kiyomizu-dera is a very popular temple, there was also a sense of peace and reverence inside.  Pictures are not allowed inside the temples themselves, but the beauty is awe-inspiring.

Our hostel: leaving for our first day out!

 In Japan, the roads are very narrow.  In fact, what would be considered a one-way, no pedestrian (or no car) street in the USA is very much a two-way, very pedestrian street.  It blew me away, especially how it all just flowed together. 

Pedestrian filled street

Same street, two cars coming, people filter to the sides

How do they even have room to pass?

....and the car goes by, people meander back to the middle.  As you can see, not much room for the people, let alone the cars, and yet it works

The Deva Gate

The Ottowa waterfall--you can drink from the sacred waterfall

A view of Kyoto City

Kiyoshi-San, Emily, and Tomoko-San

 The family resemblance is really strong in Kiyoshi-san.  From the side, he looks very similar to my grandpa!

I love hydrangeas, and they grow wild in Japan

Children's guardians deities

 I thought this was pretty cool looking: "keep out" with the blue elephants.

 I was told that this guy is a monk in training. 

 Crows are tolerated in Japan, in an interesting relationship.  The Japanese don't do anything to anger the crows because it is said that they always remember a face, and once a grudge is formed, the crows will just keep coming. 

 I got to ring the bell and say a prayer. 

Traffic police--I only really saw them in Kyoto

Beautiful couple having wedding pictures taken

A crane alongside the river at a restaurant window front

Closer view