Momiji - Koto-In

Fountain at Koto-In temple

Kyoto 2011

Here we go. Fabulous autumn colors, everyone wants to enjoy the momiji (red maple leaves).

Ginkakuji green, rainy season

Ginkakuji, garden

Kyoto 2011

The rainy season offers stunning variation of bright green in all Kyoto temples and gardens. This is Togudo pavillon inside Ginkakuji temple, always a popular stop along the path of philosophy.

Daitokuji, garden

Zen Garden, Daitokuji

Kyoto 2011

Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavillon, winter

#Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavillon, snowfall

Kyoto 2011

Kinkaku-ji the Golden pavillon of Rokuon-ji temple is beautiful at every season. Snow usually makes it even more popular. This is such a "Kyoto cliche", always crowded, but you never get enough.

Kyoto is getting a low of snow this year. I went there for the gate opening before the crowd, NHK etc... It was snowing like on the above picture. Then, 10min later the weather and the colors changed completely as reflected on the below shots.

Golden Pavillon English Webpage

 Golden Pavillon

Kyoto 2011

Maiko Chizu, Light up at Kodaiji temple

#Kodaiji temple, #momiji light up

Kyoto 2010

OK, a temple light-up when tripods are not allowed is kind of frustrating. But still, I went there because I like Kodaiji and I share the enthusiasm of the Japanese for the Momiji season (maple red leaves). I have tried somehow to get something from this scene, I am not 100% satisfied with these shots but there are not that bad.

I was focusing on my camera settings when I suddenly heard in the crowd the voice of a Maiko. They are also enthusiastic but the way they speak is very particular so I could distinguish her voice.

I turned around and saw Maiko Chizu with a guest. He was also having a hard time trying to take a picture of her in the dark etc...When he went to buy the tickets I asked for her permission to make a portrait calling her by her name. She was of course very surprised that I would know her name. The guest came back and they both asked me questions and laughed that I would recognize her. How great! Then, I didn't bother them any longer. View the portrait below in this post.

 Kodaiji temple, momiji light up

Kyoto 2010

 Kodaiji temple, momiji light up

Kyoto 2010

 

 Maiko Chizu, portrait at Kodaiji

 Kyoto 2010

Shoren-In temple, 青蓮院

Shoren-in #temple, Inside Kogosho building

Higashiyama, Kyoto 2010

Shoren-In is one of the treasures of Higashiyama. This is usually not so crowded since this is near other popular spots such as Chion-In or Yasaka shrine. The temple consists in 4 main buildings, a tea house and a garden.



Check Shoren-In temple website here (English/Japanese)

Fusuma (sliding door), Kacho-den building

Shoren-In, Higashiyama, Kyoto 2010

Bamboo, on the way to Hiyoshi Jinja

Shoren-In, Higashiyama, Kyoto 2010

Another view to the garden, from Kogosho building

Shoren-In, Higashiyama, Kyoto 2010

Hosen In Temple, 宝泉院

Hosen In, macha 

Ohara, Kyoto 2010

This place is definitely my cup of tea. I like the compo on this photo (28mm) so I decided to post it eventually.

Click here to view my other post about Hosen In temple.

Hosen In Temple, 宝泉院

Hosen In, tatami room

Ohara, Kyoto 2010

I could spend the day in this temple. This is so beautiful, relaxing and refreshing. Hosen-in is located in Ohara in the Northern part of Kyoto, a few minutes walk from Ohara most famous temple Sanzen-in. Its main attraction is the view from the tatami room on the garden and its 700-years-old pine tree that looks like a painting.

Hosen In official Webpage (Japanese only)

Path to the garden, Hosen In

Ohara, Kyoto 2010

Tatami room, Hosen In

Ohara, Kyoto 2010

Fountain, Hosen In

Ohara, Kyoto 2010

Shokokuji 相国寺, black and white

Shokoku-ji temple, wall

Kyoto, 2010

Another Kyoto treasure located next to Kyoto Imperial Palace. Always a relaxing walk just a few minutes from home.


Click here for a link to Shokoku-ji official page.