“Memoirs of a tourist”
Kyoto, Japan. October – November 2018. (12 photos)
This is part 6 of my Japan 2018 photo series.
In the background of the photo above you may be able to glimpse some people standing on the Tatsumi bridge over the small Shirakawa canal which crosses the geisha district of Gion, one of the best known places in Kyoto. People seem to flock here since the bridge features in the story of “Memoirs of a Geisha”.
I thought I’d continue with some photos from my random wanderings in Kyoto.
“Back at the Yasaka Koshindo Temple”
This temple really attracts the kimono brigade looking to take selfies here.
“Morning Bokeh”
Tenryu-ji is a world heritage listed temple in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. Tenryu-ji was built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takauji. The gardens survive today still in their original form.
“View to Hokan-ji”
For those of you familiar with Kyoto, yes I was out and about before most tourists had had breakfast to get this and the next photo.
“Down the Sannenzaka”
“The Jizo family”
A family of Jizo statues in Arashiyama.
“Bamboo grove at Kodai-ji”
“Jizo clan at Kiyomizu-dera”
“On the Tatsumi bridge looking down the Shirakawa canal”
“Rise of the phoenix”
Byodo-in is a Buddhist temple in the city of Uji in Kyoto Prefecture. This temple was originally built in 998 in the Heian period as a rural villa of high-ranking courtier Minamoto no Shigenobu. After he died, the villa was made into a Buddhist temple by Fujiwara no Yorimichi in 1052. The most famous building in the temple is the Phoenix Hall (above), constructed in 1053. It is the only remaining original building, surrounded by a scenic pond.
“Nightfall at Hokan-ji”
Once again, after the tourist hordes had dissipated.
“Night illuminations at To-ji”
In autumn, several of the temples in Kyoto are illuminated at night.
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This is part 6 of my Japan 2018 photo series.
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
Fine set!
Thanks, Harrie.
I loved your “kimono brigade” shot at the Yasaka Koshindo Temple, Mr. Draco — the kimonos are so ostentatiously colorful, which I wouldn’t have expected at a temple. Just as I loved all of your other images of the more quiet and contemplative zen moments one would expect in Kyoto. That bamboo grove especially made me want to walk into the scene. Beautiful work!
In the background you can appreciate how colourful the Yasaka Koshindo Temple is. I think it’s a magnet to those girls in just as colourful kimonos. Despite that, Kyoto oozes zen and I’m contemplating a return there sooner or later to see more of the city.
The bamboo grove was a delight, even illuminated at night when I returned. It had a completely ethereal atmosphere to it.Thank you so much, as always.
beautiful! 😊
Kyoto is in my bucket list & this motivates me to go early …
Definitely worth a visit. It’s so beautiful and serene, despite the crowds.
i never considered Japan as a place i’d one day like to visit, but…. i may should reconsider..
You should definitely should reconsider. 🙂
yes, as soon as i go to Greece, then Italy.
hehe, first i need to win the lottery.
LOL. Don’t forget me when you live the millionaire’s life in the Meditterranean. 🙂
Patience pays off….
Yes it did and it so often does. 🙂
😀😀
🙂
Sometimes breakfast must wait in order to accomplish needed things 😉
Absolutely. Then the dine-in breakfast at some nice cafe, after a nice photography shoot, will be something to look forward to as well. 🙂
More visual splendor, how fortunate you are to have experienced this magical country.
Japan never ceases to amaze from the grand view to the smallest detail. It’s a delight to the senses.
Fascinating and beautiful! 😀 ❤
Thank you kindly. 🙂
These are such beautiful photos! Kyoto must have something to do with it, but I think your photographic skills account for a great deal.
Thank you so much. Kyoto and Japan are incredibly visually inspiring. 🙂
Lovely set. Kyoto is so charming that I wouldn’t mind spending a month there.
I completely agree with you. You need to take the time to appreciate and experience Kyoto.
“This temple really attacks the kimono brigade looking to take selfies here.”
Wow! That’s one aggressive temple! 😀
Love the ‘Morning Glory’ image. I know it could be anywhere in the world, but the Bokeh is fabulous and that IS a Japanese word 🙂
Damn that spellchecker! LOL Now you’ve got me thinking I should get the work bokeh into the title of that photo. Thanks for keeping me on my toes, Jude. 🙂
You are most welcome sir 👌
🙂
Wonderful images of this area. We loved walking around Gion with its classic, historic feel. Terrific shot of the geishas…it’s the same spot I found a wealth of “tourist geishas”. Such fun to see again. And your early morning street photos are beautiful.
I know what you mean about Kyoto and to return during another autumn is high on my to do list. There’s so much more to see and experience. I had a great time there.
You have captured such a sense of peace with your photos in Kyoto. They are lovely to look at!
Thank you very much. 🙂
At last a place that I visited. It was so long ago that it feels like a life time ago but in reality just eighteen years ago.
Beautiful photos. Brings back some old memories.
Thank you. It’s hard to forget Kyoto. So beautiful with an old charming ambience. Just more tourists than you would have encountered 18 years ago.
Your pictures are so overwhelming beautiful.
Thank you so very much. 🙂
Some amazing shots, Dragon. Good timing to come early and leave late for the shots, and also for some peaceful walking. Quite a fine Buddhist temple around that pond.
Thank you. Avoiding the tourists can be an experience of itself, but it’s worth the effort to get some nice photos, and avoid queues. 🙂
Morning Bokeh is my favorite. Seemingly simple, but perfect.
Thank you very much. The flower was almost at head height and as I approached it against the light I knew I had to photograph it.
These are glorious. I love the colours, compositions and lighting. Is Japan really so clean? I think my faves are the views of Hokan-ji, but they all make me want to go there.
Clean? Yes, which is strange given it is very hard to fine a public rubbish bin. However, if you buy food from a street vendor, they will accept the leftover rubbish back. The Japanese also have a custom of taking their rubbish home. A local even told me that in primary schools, the children do much of the cleaning.
Thank you. Kyoto has a serene charm about it.
There is a calmness and a natural silence about your pictures. Avoiding tourists is essential if I am going to feel good about a place. With too many tourists, I can not feel the soul of the place, it becomes invisible to me. I really would love to go…
Thank you very much. Kyoto is inspiring in that way. Like being a Japanese garden and enjoying the beauty and serenity.
It’s all very beautiful, and I absolutely love that last photo, Draco, but tell me why the Jizos are wearing aprons? Messy eaters? 🙂 🙂
Thank you very much, Jo. My understanding is that the practice of placing baby bibs on the Jizo statues began when grieving parents did so in hopes the spirits would protect their deceased child in the other world. Today, the practice is probably more commonly for aesthetic reasons, although the original reason has not been forgotten.
That’s a nice explanation. 🙂
Yes, but a bit saddening.
I love your sense of timing. You seem to be *there* at the right time of the day, always. Well done!
Well, a bit of planning’s involved. 🙂 It was worth the effort. Thanks.
It’s definitely worth the effort to go out before/after the usual tourist hours. How peaceful. The night time illumination is particularly mesmerizing.
Thank you. The temple complexes seem even more serene at night. I agree, wander at your own speed and venture away from the crowds and tourist paths.
This series continues to impress.
My, that Bamboo grove blew me away.
Thank you very much. As you can tell from the lamps, the path was illuminated. Yes, I went back at night and took more photos. It was surreal.
Wonderful images Mr Draco … and that bokeh is so sparkling! How nice to be up before the masses. On my bucket list too ..
Thanks very much, Julie. Yes, you must go. 🙂
These photos are so captivating – as a young teen looking to take photography courses in my life, I admire these so much… I love the sense of peace that some bring to me, and the flower has to be my favorite, it’s perfect.
Thank you very much. I wish you the best wherever your photography takes you. I hope it’s a lifelong enjoyment.
The bamboo grove is enchanting. Did you have any interaction with the local people? Wonder what do they make of the infinite serenity and beauty.
Just a few chats every now and then, in limited broken Japanese (with the aid of google translate). LOL 🙂
I guess there is the tendency to take what you have for granted, but I’m sure they know how beautiful Kyoto is.