Kyoto Temples and Shrines 京都の寺院と神社
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Path to Kinkakuji Gold Pavilion entrance path in autumn.
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Kinkakuji Gold Pavilion 金閣寺
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Kinkakuji is one of the world's most picturesque buildings.
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Kinkakuji Gold Pavilion, Kyoto
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Golden phoenix on the roof of Kinkakuji.
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Rear view of Kinkakuji
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Path to Kiyomizu-dera is a slope lined with souvenir shops, a tourist trap.
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Gate
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Kiyomizu-dera Gate
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Start of the Blue Dragon dance (Seiryu-e) at Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto.
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This is Seiryu-e, a blue dragon dance held near the steps on March 15-17, April 3, and Sept. 15-17 at 2 pm. 青龍会
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The Seiryu-e includes a procession of native-attired men.
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Deck of Kiyomizu-dera main hall
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Kiyomizu-dera temple on wooden stilts. Kiyomizu-dera belongs to its own independent Buddhist sect.
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Kiyomizu-dera is the 16th temple in the Saigoku Western Japan pilgrimage circuit. The Hondo main hall dates from 1633.
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Kyoto Tower in the distance as seen from Kiyomizu-dera.
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Otowa no Taki waterfalls 音羽の滝
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Otowa no Taki waterfalls
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Jishu Shrine is also within the Kiyomizu-dera grounds. This shrine is dedicated to love matches and marriage. The statue is Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, god of love matchmaking.
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Jishu Jinja Shrine 地主神社
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We noticed mostly young women and girls were praying at this shrine. Very few guys.
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Talisman for good love matches
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One love stone. If you can walk from this stone to the other one blindfolded, you will find love by yourself.
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The other love stone.
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The woman reached the other stone and will find love.
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Kiyomizu temple with cherry blossoms lit up at night.
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Kiyomizu temple with cherry blossoms lit up at night.
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Kiyomizu temple with cherry blossoms lit up at night.
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Kiyomizu temple with cherry blossoms lit up at night.
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Yasaka Shrine anchors one end of Kawaramachi.
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Yasaka Shrine in Gion district of Kyoto. This is the main shrine patronized by the Gion geisha.
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Gate to Yasaka Shrine. The shrine also holds the annual Gion Matsuri Festival in July featuring ornate floats paraded around the city.
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Yasaka Shrine's Honden Hall.
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Women dressed as maiko walk around Yasaka Shrine and pose for tourists. (Not real maiko.)
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This rear torii goes to Maruyama Park.
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Directly behind Yasaka Shrine is Maruyama Park which has a few cherry trees. 円山公園
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Sakura in Maruyama Park, Kyoto.
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Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma in Maruyama Park.
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Hanami picnickers during cherry blossom season in Maruyama Park.
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The famous cherry tree in Maruyama Park in Kyoto.
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It looks different from different angles.
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A large crowd gather around the tree when it is in bloom.
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Ryoanji temple
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Ryoanji temple crowded with people.
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Ryoanji temple in Kyoto has Japan's most famous rock garden.
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Ryoanji has too many tourists to make it a place to meditate in Kyoto.
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Ryoanji rock garden.
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Ryoanji rock garden. The cherry tree is beautiful when it blooms.
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Ryoanji rock garden.
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Ryoanji
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Inside Ryoanji
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Gate of Higashi Hongwanji temple
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Higashi Hongwanji in Kyoto is not included in the World Heritage Site of Kyoto temples.
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Higashi Hongwanji's Amida-do Hall undergoing roof work to be completed in 2011.
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My favorite sight at Higashi Hongwanji in Kyoto is these giant ropes made of donated human hair. The ropes were used to reconstruct the temple during dire times.
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About the hair rope.
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One end of Sanjusangendo Hall.
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Sanjusangendo in Kyoto is famous for its numerous Kannon statues.
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Sanjusangendo. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside.
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Sanjusangendo
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