This Morning's plan: Forest and Two Temples

Kyoto, Japan

First stop:  Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

"It’s a fair distance from the center of Kyoto: whether you go by train, bus, bicycle or taxi, you’re generally looking at about a 30-minute trip." (https://www.insidekyoto.com) - this is an important note because 30 minutes will be the time of almost ALL movement between sites.

After Arashiyama, we planned to take the train to Ryōan-ji, the Rock Garden Zen Temple.  But, while we got on the right train... we missed the transfer.  So we proceeded to Temple #2: Kinkaku-ji.

While the map says "gold-colored" it is actually, actual gold leaf.

The property was originated as a villa, and bought by a shogun in 1397.  After the shogun's death, it was converted to a Zen Buddist Temple.

The complex, save the pavilion, in the mid-1400s.  The gold pavilion was burned down in 1950, and then restored.

The Golden Pavilion is set in a Japanese strolling garden (回遊式庭園 kaiyū-shiki-teien, lit. a landscape garden in the go-round style).

After Kinkaku-ji, we add the possibility of Nijojo, or the Nijo Castle, which is near to the restaurant for lunch.  The line for tickets is 45 minutes, not enough time to wait in line, and see any of the grounds AND make it to our lunch date.  Nijojo will have to be missed.

Our friend Yuko is coming from Tokyo to join us for lunch and the rest of our time in Kyoto.  So off to lunch!