Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
Ryōan-ji is a Zen temple in Kyōto, Japan, dating back to 1499. It is well known because of its wonderful Zen garden – you can sit on a wooden platform and look at 15 stones in a 30 x 10 meters small garden. It is surrounded on three sides by a wall. Continue reading “Ryōan-ji”
I like Japanese baths and therefore took the long trip to Funaoka Onsen located in a remote residential area of Kyōto, Japan. I got a towel and managed to find the right way to the men’s locker room and changed my cloth. In the shower I found the first big cultural difference: people sitting on small plastic benches produces soap foam until they are covered in large white clouds. Continue reading “Electric shocks and three seniors watching TV at the sauna”
The imperial palace in Kyōto, Japan was for the longest time in the history of Japan the residence of the rulers. This began in the Heian period when to seat shifted from Nara and ended with the Meiji restauration when it went to Edo, todays Tōkyō. Continue reading “Kyōto Gosho”
There is no information or advertisement about Kyōto, Japan without an image of Kinkaku-ji – the golden pavilion. It is a Buddhist temple officially named Rokuon-ji; but because of the upper levels of the relicts hall covered in gold it is most often named Kinkaku. Continue reading “Kinkaku-ji”
The Sentō palace is part of the imperial palace (Kyōto Gosho) in Kyōto, Japan. It is the residence for the former emperor or his wife after death of the emporer. People usually get here for the wonderful garden attached to it. This classic Japanese garden was created in 1630. Continue reading “Sentō Gosho”
The Fushimi Inari-Taisha is one of the most visited Shintō shrines in Kyōto, Japan. The locals get here yearly at the day of the horse – since 708 the Hatsu-uma-matsuri festival is held at that day here.
Continue reading “Fushimi Inari-Taisha”
Gion is the oldest district in the city center of Kyōto, Japan. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is nowadays partially preserved as a national monument. The area consists of narrow streets and wooden houses. Continue reading “Gion”
The Yasaka-jinja (formerly Gion-jinja) is a Shintō shrine in the Gion district of Kyōto, Japan. It was built in the year 656 and is a modern shrine that is seen as one of the biggest in Japan. Continue reading “Yasaka-jinja”
One thing is for sure in big Japanese cities: you won’t be thirsty. Everybody that has some space in front of his house seems install a vending machine for drinks. And therefore you can walk through the streets of Kyōto, Japan and find some refreshments every 50 meters. Continue reading “Vending machines”
The Shōsei-en is an absolutely wonderful Japanese garden in Kyōto, Japan that belongs to the Higashi-Hongan-ji temple. It dates back to the Heian period (794-1185) and contains a nice pond from that time that is spanned by an old bridge. Continue reading “Shōsei-en”