Day 7 - Travelogue - Kyoto Part 2, Kodaiji Temple Night Illuminations and Yasaka Shrine at Night

Back to Kyoto Part 1, Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine

Before I checked into the hotel, I stopped at the 7-11 across the street and picked up a mid-afternoon snack that consisted of a delicious egg salad sandwich and a hot canned coffee.  My room at the hotel was spacious as it was a suite with a kitchenette.  I didn't cook here, but the price the of the room was cheaper than some of the other hotels in the same area with smaller rooms to boot.  I had actually booked one of the other hotels and then cancelled as the Citadines was a much bettter deal!

My suite.  It was a little worn, but tidy and clean.  The bed was quite good so I got a good rest!

I actually caught an episode of Gundam, Witch from Mercury on TV!

I had a nice rest back at the hotel.  My injured foot was doing quite well, something that came as a relief for me.  Whether you had foot pain like I did or blisters from too much walking, even in comfortable shoes, you have to take care of your feet.  You are on a walking holiday.  Have a first aid kit where you can put a band-aid on hot spots at the first sign of trouble.  Happy feet = happy trip!

I had a slightly early dinner that night at Yoshinoya, the beef bowl restaurant chain.  I love beef bowl and even make it at home.  I noticed that the chain now serves chicken karaage, so I just had to try it.  They had a combo where you got karaage on top of your beef bowl, so I had that.  The fried chicken was delicious and crispy and but the beef topping on the rice underneath was a little light for me.  I'd have to come back and have a big serving of gyudon.

Chicken karaage and gyudon bowl from Yoshinoya.

After dinner I caught the #80 bus again to visit Kodaji Temple for the night illuminations.  I hadn't been expecting to visit any temples at night, but it seems that many temples now have night illuminations to bring in additional funds and visitors in the evenings.  These light shows can be quite extensive, lighting up the gardens and buildings to see them in a totally different manner.  I would have probably done more than one night illumination of a temple if I had more time.  You can tell from my pictures below it can be very pretty!

Darkened night streets in Gion.

Kodaji is is a serene and picturesque Buddhist temple on the western edge of Gion in the mountains there.  As you approach the temple, you'll be greeted by a vibrant red torii gate and a stone path that leads you through a lush forest of maple trees. As you walk along the path, you'll hear the gentle sound of a nearby stream and the chirping of birds.  The main hall is very pretty, with its graceful curved roof and intricate wooden carvings. The hall is surrounded by a tranquil garden filled with moss-covered stones, carefully tended shrubs, and a small pond with a fountain.

This temples has a history that spans over a thousand years. Legend has it that the temple was founded in the 9th century by a monk named Kukai, who traveled from China to bring Esoteric Buddhism to Japan. The temple started small and humble, but over the centuries it grew in size and prestige. During the medieval period, it became a popular destination for samurai warriors seeking to pray for victory in battle. In fact, the temple's main hall still contains a famous sword that was believed to have been used by a legendary samurai warrior.

In the 16th century, the temple suffered significant damage during the civil wars that ravaged Japan. However, it was later rebuilt by a wealthy merchant who had a personal connection to the temple. He spared no expense in creating a grand and beautiful complex, complete with ornate gardens and stunning architecture.  During the Edo period, the temple became a center for the study of Buddhism, attracting scholars and intellectuals from across Japan. It was during this time that the temple's library was established, which contained a vast collection of rare and valuable texts. Kodaji Temple continues to be an important cultural and religious landmark in Kyoto.

On the way to Kodaji, I made a side trip to take pictures of the Hokanji, a picturesque 5 story pagoda, in Gion.  The streets were dark and deserted except for the odd tourist wanting to take the same pictures. Back tracking from here, I joined the crowds heading to Kodaji.

Hokanji Pagoda

Fantastic pics of the pagoda at night.

There was a crowd waiting to buy tickets at the front entrance to the temple.  It was a popular attraction.  I bought the wrong ticket as mine included the museum for a few hundred yen. Small oops as I'd never visit the museum.

Kodaji Bell.

The illuminations on the grounds were very dramatic in a few places.  You'd never see the same scene during the day.  I thought it was very worthwhile going for the experience.

Small teahouse with illuminated maple trees.

One of the most fantastic things at the temple were the projection mapped animations at the rock garden at the main hall.  It was a dramatic telling of history and battles and serene scenes all done with light, music, and sound effects.

Projection mapping in the garden.

Projection mapping in the garden.

Giant maple leaves in the fall.

Beautiful scene.

 The rest of the gardens and buildings seems both beautiful and mysterious with the well placed lighting.  You'd have to watch your step on the hillside paths, but there were also lights at ground level.

Night scene.

Main pond with illuminated trees and reflections.

Bamboo grove.

Bamboo grove.

Exit gate with paper lanterns.

Maple leaves.

Exit stairs.  You can tell the temple is on a mountain.

From Kodaji, I then walked back to Yasaka Shrine to see it at night.  It isn't super far, but my feet were giving out again, so it felt like a long walk.  I did a quick tour through the grounds and then headed back to the hotel.  Yasaka is very dark and atmospheric at night.  Pretty safe I think, but it can be very quiet.

One of the many small shrines.

Another shrine.

The love shrine.

The main stage all lit up at night. One of the coolest things there.

 That's pretty much my first day in Kyoto. It was a revisit to some places I had been before and a new visit to Kodaji which I had never been to.  I ended up doing more walking than I wanted, but got through it.

Back to Day 7 - Kyoto Part 1, Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine.

Onwards to Day 8 - Kyoto Part 1 - To Fushimi Inari Shrine and The Mountain Summit 

The Japan Trip 2022 Posts

1. Planning My Tokyo 2022 Trip Highlights and Attractions (for Anime and Regular Tourists)
   
2. Highlights From My December 2022 Trip to Japan (with links to daily pages)
3. Day 1 - The First Night In Tokyo
4. Day 2 in Tokyo - Visiting Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Taking a Taxi 
5. Day 2 in Tokyo - Evening with Godzilla and Christmas Lights
6. Day 3 - Back to Shibuya for New Parco, Nintendo Store, Pokemon Center, Miyashita Park 
7. Day 3 -  Views From Shibuya Sky, Shopping at Tokyu Hands and Don Quijote
8. Day 4 - Nezu Shrine, Ameyoko, Ni No Kashi Candy Store, Yamashiroya Toy Store, and Ichiran Ramen in Ueno
9. Day 4 - Sensoji Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo Midtown Christmas Illuminations, and Pokemon Store and Cafe Nihonbashi
10. Day 5 - Yokohama, Giant Gundam at Gundam Factory, Landmark Tower Shopping, Harry Potter Christmas Trees
11. Day 6 - Yokohama , Nissin Cup Noodle Museum, World Porters Mall, Landmark Tower Shopping Area
12. Day 7 - Kyoto Part 1, Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine
13. Day 7 - Kyoto Part 2, Kodaiji Temple Night Illuminations and Yasaka Shrine at Night  
14. Day 8 - Travelogue - Kyoto Part 1 - To Fushimi Inari Shrine and The Mountain Summit 
15. Day 8 - Travelogue - Kyoto Part 2 - Kennin Ji Temple and Evening at Kyoto Station
16. Day 9 - Travelogue - First Visit to Nara for Deer, Pikachu Donut, Daibutsu Temple, Kasuga-Taisha, Kohfukuji Temple 
17. Day 10 - Osaka - Seeing Osaka Castle, Pokemon Center, and DotonboriDay 11 - Seeing Himeji Castle, the Most Beautiful One in Japan, and the Umeda Sky Building
18. Day 12 - Osaka Aquarium (Whale Sharks!), Den Den Town, Shinsekai, and MOS Burger
19. Day 13 - Travelogue - Back to Tokyo - Akihabara - Shinjuku at Night
20. Day 14 - Underground to Ginza, Shopping, Ginza GoldFish Aquarium, and Tokyo Skytree
21. Day 14 - Tokyo's Underground Labyrinth 2 - Walking From Tokyo Station to Ginza
22. Day 15 - Travelogue - Museums Close Monday - Ueno Park - Narita - Flight Home

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