Sunday, May 30, 2010

Kyoto Day 2

Chase loved the udon noodles. There were lots of people slurping all around us at this restaurant! We had udon and tempura that was delicious!

Arashiyama is on the western side of Kyoto and features the bamboo grove and beautiful nature trails and views.



The bamboo grove was one of our favorite places that we visited in Kyoto. It was so incredibly peaceful and serene. It felt like the kind of place to visit and get lost in your thoughts.


One of the many beautiful gardens outside one of the temple sites. The rocks were originally brought in to create these gardens and now they have huge trees and bushes growing on them. Add the koi and dry landscaping and you have yourself a great place for a Buddhist monk to meditate and ponder.

Overlooking the Golden Pavilion.

The Golden Pavilion, or Kinkaku-ji, was originally built in 1397. It has burned down twice, the last time being in 1950 when a monk with a mental illness lit the structure on fire and then tried to commit suicide. The top two stories are covered with pure gold leaf. The pond serves a reflective purpose and creates a majestic view from afar.

1 comment:

Cheri said...

Wow. I think I am falling in love with Japan! I had no idea it was such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. And Chase is just as cute as ever! I will be going to Alyssa's shower this Saturday. Are you coming?!?!

Aunt Cheri