A weekend in Kyoto

September 14, 2019

Japan is way up high on my travel list due to its fascinating society, culture and architecture. Due to the great distance however I have not really considered going there so far. For that reason it was very convenient to be sent on a work assignment to east Asia where I managed to spend a free weekend in one of Japans most important cities - Kyoto.

Being the center of Japanese power for over a thousand years has left the city with a tremendous amount of historical buildings such as castles, temples and traditional townhouses known as machiya. In fact, the city holds about 20% of all national treasures of Japan.

In this article I'd like to show some of the images I managed to take although the weather was overcast and rainy for the entirety of my stay. This piece includes only little text with some essential descriptions of the displayed places.

The massive Sanmon Gate of the Chion-in Temple. It is the head temple of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Streets of the Higashiyama district. The Higashiyama District along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts.

Yasaka Pagoda, the last remnant of Hokanji Temple, is one of the most visible and recognizable landmarks in the Higashiyama District.

It is also the central subject of possibly the most famous view of the city.

Views inside of the Imperial Palace - the former seat of the Tenno, the Emperor of Japan.

Especially idyllic images of Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. The heron adds the special touch.

The Togetsu-kyo Bridge in Western Kyoto's Arashiyama District. The wooden bridge spans the Katsura River in front of Arashiyama Mountain.

One of the most famous Buddhist temples overall, the Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion.

And fittingly this one is called the Silver Pavilion - the Ginkaku-ji.

The Ryoan-ji Temple is especially famous for its stone garden.

The Ninna-ji and its five storied pagoda.

Thanks for reading!