Kyoto (Day 3)

We were supposed to go to Tokyo on this day (which we eventually did), but we liked Kyoto so much that we decided to stretch our stay as much as possible.

(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)

Miraculously the weather made a 180-degree turn from the gloomy and dready rain and wind of the day before to a sunny and warm spring day. We decided to get up early and go to Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺), or "Temple of the Golden Pavilion", first thing in the morning. We were not disappointed. The golden temple was at its full splendor in the early morning sun.


Kinkaku-ji


Kinkaku-ji


Kinkaku-ji


Kinkaku-ji

My first bird of this morning -- so to speak -- was the golden phoenix on the rooftop of the temple, glistening in all its glory.


Golden Phoenix

A Buddhist tower in the Kinkaku-ji complex.


Buddhist Tower

We then took the bus to Philosopher's Walk, a cherry tree lined path along the canal. It was a pleasant -- if a bit crowded -- walk along the floral footpath.


Philosopher's Walk


Philosopher's Walk

A close-up of cherry flowers.


Cherry Flowers

Near the Philosopher's Walk was Ginkaku-ji ((銀閣寺), or "Temple of the Silver Pavilion". Not as splendid as Jinkaku-ji, it nonetheless is a charming Buddhist temple.


Ginkaku-ji


Ginkaku-ji


Ginkaku-ji


Ginkaku-ji

The "Silver Phoenix" on the rooftop of Ginkaku-ji.


Silver Phoenix

Thus ended our stay in Kyoto, which is undoubtedly in our mind the most beautiful and friendly (we received a lot of help from the locals) city in Japan so far. Next we boarded the high-speed Shinkansen train to the big metropolis of Tokyo.

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