After the parade we hopped on the subway and bus to visit Ginkakuji temple (aka silver temple). This temple was more about the surrounding gardens and paths than the actual structure. Despite the name, the Silver Pavilion was never covered in silver. It's thought that either construction stopped due to the Onin war before being covered in silver or that the name is due to the moon light reflecting on the building dark exterior (originally covered in black laquer) that gave it a silvery look.
The dry sand gardens (aka Sea of Silver Sand) were really cool. One were this massive sand cone named "moon viewing platform." I have no idea how it keeps it shape as there doesn't seem to be any type of adhesive. I was really really tempted to poke a finger into it but there were strict no touching signs and Japan doesn't seem like a country to let broken rules go down as an "oops!"
The wooded gardens were beautiful covered with variety of moss.
Another sand garden I was tempted to touch, but didn't!
Most temple gardens have beautifully maintained ponds.
Oh the Japanese maple...
A couple of buses, a train and a cable car got us to the Kibune (yellow) shrine in the northern mountains of Kyotol. According to legend, a goddess traveled in a yellow boat from Osaka and the shrine was built where her boat journey ended. It was dedicated to the god of water and rain.
I think it should have been dedicated to the god of stairs...sheesh so much climbing! But it was quite beautiful with the lanterns and greenery.
The water dragon here looked particularly ferocious!
View from top of the temple...
On the way down we somehow ended up on a one hour hike going through Kuramadera temples and ended up at Kurama. Not the first time we ended up some where we had no idea were, but on the plus side we always manage to figure our way out.
Along the way were these old viney trees, I'd like to know how this happens
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