An important Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan is Nigatsu-dō; the hall of the second month. It is located at the foot of the Wakakusa mountain in the east of the hall of the great Buddha. It was founded in the year 752 by a monk. Continue reading “Nigatsu-dō”
Heian-jingū
The Heian-jingū is a Shintō shrine in Kyōto, Japan. It was opened in 1895 to commemorate the foundation of the city 1100 years ago. In 1940 the remains of the last Tennō who reigned in the city was brought into the shrine. The torii at the entrance is the second largest in Japan, following the Yasukuni-jinja in Tōkyō. Continue reading “Heian-jingū”
Tōdai-ji
The Tōdai-ji is an important Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan. It houses the biggest Buddha statue (daibutsu) with a height of 15 meters and a weight of 452 tons. The temple dates back to the year 745 and was last rebuilt in 1708. Continue reading “Tōdai-ji”
Kōfuku-ji
Another Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan: the Kōfuku-ji is located next to the Kasuga-Taisha. You can easily find the pagoda Gojūnotō next to it. It was founded in 669 in Kyōto and then shifted to Nara in 710. Within the Gempei war in 1108 it was destroyed. Continue reading “Kōfuku-ji”
Tō-ji
The Tō-ji (eastern temple) or Kyō-ō Gokoku-ji (protecting temple of the kings of the scripture) is a Buddhist temple in Kyōto, Japan. It is easily findable because of its 57 meters high pagoda which is the highest in Japan. Continue reading “Tō-ji”
Bamboo woods
It is a great pleasure the bamboo wood of Arashiyama in Kyōto, Japan. It feels pretty unreal to walk through this vast wood with its special atmosphere; it reaches from Tenryū-ji to just below the Ōkōchi Sansō villa. Continue reading “Bamboo woods”
Temple in the mountains
I’ve seen numerous temples and shrines throughout my visits to Japan. But the one with the most beautiful scenery is Kurama-dera close to the village Kurama north of Kyōto, Japan. It is located on mountain Kurama and you have to walk up – there is only a cable-car carrying you half the way. Continue reading “Temple in the mountains”
Ōkōchi-Sansō villa
The Ōkōchi-Sansō or Ōkōchi mountain villa is the former home of film director Denjirō Ōkōchi in Kyōto, Japan. It is located in Arashiyama close to the Tenryū-ji temple and can be visited for a small fee. Continue reading “Ōkōchi-Sansō villa”
Tenryū-ji
Tenryū-ji is a nice Buddhist temple in Kyōto, Japan close to the bamboo grove in Arashiyama. It was built in 1339 to satisfy the ghost of a former Tennō. In the 14th century CE the gardener Musō Soseki created a wonderful garden next to the main hall. Continue reading “Tenryū-ji”
Nanzen-ji
When you get to the Buddhist Nanzen-ji temple in Kyōto, Japan you will first be impressed by the massive wooden front gate. The temple was built in the 13th century CE and many tourists get here to see the traditional Japanese houses and the nice garden. Continue reading “Nanzen-ji”