Sanzen-in Temple, Ohara, Kyoto, Japan. Rob Tilley / DanitaDelimont.com “Danita Delimont Photography”/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: ddpphotos049775
Kyoto is home to 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines; steeped in culture and history this city was once the Imperial capital city of Japan. Located on the Island of Honshu, Japan, Kyoto is very old and wise but little is known about it until around the 6th Century AD. With a population close to 1.5 million it is equipped with an efficient public transportation system that is easily navigable and has signs in the Latin alphabet just for tourists and foreigners. The city itself is tight-lipped and stacked with modern architecture, stores and restaurants; one of the draws to Kyoto is the serenity it offers, which is not just handed to you on a silver platter, you have to want it enough to find it. The beauties of this place are hidden and out of the way, as sacred things of value should be. History and culture is revered and therefore set away from the brash and loud city life.
Wars and fires have demanded dues from Kyoto over the centuries, and yet it still stands, both ancient and modern. During World War II it was a keen candidate for the atomic bomb target but thanks to Henry L. Stimson, American secretary of war, who had fallen in love with the city during his honeymoon, he demanded the history and beauty of such a place be preserved.
The draw of Kyoto is nestled in its raked pebble gardens, regal temples, vibrant plant life, tradition, history and mystery. Autumn transforms leaves into fire, while laying the ground with gold. The peace offered here manifests itself in nature, not only giving the eyes something to drink up, but peace of mind and a rejuvenating rest stop for the spirit. For more inspiring photos of Kyoto follow us back to Newscom!
Japan, Kyoto Pref., Kyoto. The Moss Garden, or Saihoji, in Kyoto is a popular site for Japan’s visitors. Ric Ergenbright / DanitaDelimont.com “Danita Delimont Photography”/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: ddpphotos049563
KYOTO, Japan – A young boy makes a droll gesture with his rosary beads before a Tokudo ordination ceremony to become a Buddhist monk at Higashi Honganji, mother temple of the Shinshu Otani-ha branch of Shin Buddhism, in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, on August 4, 2011. One hundred and thirteen elementary school and junior high school students were among the 153 men and women aged nine to 65 from across Japan who attended the ceremony. */Kyodo/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: kyodowc072435
Japan, Kiyomizu Temple. Dallas and John Heaton Stock Connection/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: scussubpic006605
Apr 01, 2007 – Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan – Fushimi Inari is the head Inari. ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: zumaltwo165242
Asia, Japan, Kyoto. Zen Garden. Shin Terada / DanitaDelimont.com “Danita Delimont Photography”/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: ddpphotos050352
Asia, Japan, Kyoto. Zen Garden. Shin Terada / DanitaDelimont.com “Danita Delimont Photography”/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: ddpphotos050371
Mendicant monk, Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan, Asia. Klaus-Werner Friedrich Image Broker/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: ibpremium255419
Japan, Kyoto, Daigoji Temple. Dallas and John Heaton Stock Connection Worldwide/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: scphotos058457
Buddhist temple, Kyoto, Japan, Ryanji; founded in 1473, and Zen Garden, planted in 1599. akg-images / Mark De Fraeye/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: akgphotos115501
Autumn maples, Tenryu-ji (temple), Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan, Asia. Christian Kober/Robert Harding/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: rhphotos009596
Japan, Kyoto, To-ji Temple Pagoda at Twilight. Rob Tilley / DanitaDelimont.com Danita Delimont Photography/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: ddpphotos378969
Tenjuan wet garden in Nanzen Ji temple, Kyoto, Japan, Asia. Godong/Robert Harding/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: rhphotos144838
Japan. Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto. Peter & Georgina Bowater Stock Connection Worldwide/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: scphotos062181
A Tsubakai, a stone wash basin for the tea room, Ryoan-ji Temple in NW Kyoto, Honshu, Japan. The Zen inscription reads ‘I learn only to be contented’. Robert Francis/Robert Harding/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: rhphotos104913
Asia, Japan, Temple gate. Shin Terada / DanitaDelimont.com “Danita Delimont Photography”/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: ddpphotos050323
You may enjoy some our other “Around the World” blogs back at FocalPoint:
Around the World: The Emerald Isle
Tags: Buddhist Temples, Henry L. Stimson, Honshu, Imperial Capital City, japan, kyoto, Raked pebble gardens, Shinto Shrines, Temples, Zen Gardens