Fushimi Inari Taisha’s inner shrine is reachable through a tunnel of thousands of Torii gates winding up a mountain. Tens of thousands rock alters are along the path.
Tofuku-ji Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple. I felt dwarfed beside the enormous building, its wooden boards and posts. It was as though I was a Lilliputian in Gulliver’s Travel.
Kinkaku-ji is Temple of the Golden and a Zen Buddhist temple. The top two floors are covered with gold leaf. It was believed that gold purified any negativity towards death. How Zen.
OVERVIEW
WALK: 5m from Natural Hot Spring Dormy Inn Himeji to JR Himeji Train Station
TRAIN: 1h @ 9:11on JR Shinkansen Hikiri 502 car #14 seat 2-E to Kyoto Station @ 10:02
BOARDED WRONG TRAIN: 8:20 disembarked at Kobe Statin and 8:35 embarked correct train at Kobe Station
TRAIN: 10:03 Kyoto Station
RENDEZVOUS: 10:03 @ Kyoto Station South Exit to Hachijo Exit West > general car area
An unexpected rendezvous with Namiyo and Saburo brought joy. They were sightseeing in Kyoto with three Spanish friends and Namiyo’s sister.
Shoshazan Engyoji Temple has a history over a thousand years. I was fortunate to share the temple with Saigoku Kannon pilgrims. On a lighter note, The Last Samurai was partially filmed here.
The Himeji Art Museum featured fashion designer Kenzo. He was from Himeji before moving to Paris and capturing the fashion industry in the 1960’s. He died in 2020 from complications linked to the coronavirus. Check out my Kenzo chrysanthemum duvet cover and Kenzo tiger shawl (gift from Christine).
At this craft sake factory only two skilled people and time are required to make Nadagiku Sake.
Koko en Gardens was the former residence of a samurai. Trifecta…the third attraction for the day. No wonder why I’m so tired.
Himeji City Zoo.
Himeji Castle’s cherry blossoms.
Linda Scandore 