Japan Day 6 P2

The Bamboo grove is located behind Tenryuji Temple. Both sides of the narrow path are bamboo fences (reaching to around hip height) guarding the large vest of bamboo grooves.

The dark canopy of bamboo stretches for several hundred meters.

In the canopy, the sunlight is largely shut out by the bamboo leaves, making it dim even during the day. Birds sing but cannot be seen, and the trains that run regularly near the grove can also be heard. In the occasional tender breeze, you can hear the bamboo leaves rustling softly against each other.

Botanically speaking, bamboo is a member of the rice family, and as it is hollow, like straw, it is relatively light. The regular distance between its joints makes the stem stronger, enabling it to stand so straight despite its slightness.

The Togetsukyo Bridge spans the Oi River, on whose surface is reflected Arashiyama. This bridge, which is famous for its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, enhances the elegance of Arashiyama. Togetsu means "moon crossing" - and this bridge was so named by Emperor Kameyama because of the resemblance to that phenomenon. The present bridge, designed as if it melts into the beautiful scenery of Arashiyama, was completed in 1934.

Having witnessed the spectacular autumn colours at Tenryu-ji, I must say this paled in comparison. We had to brave the rain + 20 mins walk to get to the bridge. Slight tinge of disappointment.

Yatsuhashi ((八ツ橋 or 八橋)), one of the best known meibutsu (famous regional products) of Kyoto. It is made from rice flour, sugar and cinnamon. Raw, unbaked yatsuhashi (nama yatsuhashi) has a soft, mochi-like texture and is often eaten wrapped around red bean paste. It may come in a variety of different flavours. Most notable to the Kyoto area is the black version of this. The addition of black bean powder to the wrapper gives a distinctive black colour.

Dinner at Chibo for Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き).

Table fitted with teppan! Will we get to grill it ourselves?

Leecher's love for sake began at this restaurant. I had a glass to warm myself and I must say, its pretty good!

The batter and other ingredients are fried on both sides on the teppan using metal spatulas that are later used to slice the dish when cooked. Cooked okonomiyaki is topped with ingredients that include otafuku/okonomiyaki sauce, aonori (seaweed flakes), katsuobushi (bonito flakes), Japanese mayonnaise and pickled ginger.

We finally succumbed to the coldness (it was 9 degrees due to the all-day rain) & bought our winter clothings @ Uniqlo ...which became our staple wear for the rest of the journey :)

Snacks that we have accumulated over the past few days, for friends & family.

Japan Day 6 P1

Rise & Shine to Day 6, whereby we pay our daily visit to the train station for another day of adventure. As usual, brought bread at the station to munch along the way.

I think Fling must be thinking that we are mad to buy bread as breakfast. During our Good Friday KL trip in 2009, she once mentioned that she will die if she eats bread. But Fling, the Japanese bread are really tasty!

For once, we didn't have to change our train tickets :)

Himeji castle from a distance. The castle, built in the early 17th century, represents the highest achievement in Japanese castle architecture. Designated as a national treasure in 1931, the castle was registered as the World Cultural Heritage in 1993 as the first cultural site in Japan. The registration occurred because the castle has kept its original design at the time of construction such as turrets, stone walls, gates and moats, which still survive today. The castle has been compared to a white bird flying off to the sky due to its white elegant appearance. Its famous nickname is White Heron Castle.

We didn't manage to venture into Himeji Castle as it was pouring. My pink little umbrella was damaged and we could only venture into the nearby community centre & admire the castle from afar.

Bento for lunch on board Shinkansen as we ventured back to Kyoto again.

Tenryu-ji Temple 天龍寺 (Temple of the Heavenly Dragon), located in the Sagano district of Kyoto, is the head temple of the Tenryu-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. It was established in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji in memory of Emperor Go-Daigo, who died in Yoshino following the civil war that brought the Ashikaga family to power. The eminent Zen master Muso Soseki was appointed the temple's founding abbot. As a temple related to both the Ashikaga family and Emperor Go-Daigo, the temple is held in high esteem and is ranked as the most important (Rinzai) Zen temple in Kyoto.

In the thirteenth century, Emperor Kameyama built a villa on the property and it was here that Go-Daigo, his grandson, was raised and educated. With Go-Daigo's passing, Ashikaga Takauji ordered the villa's conversion to a Zen temple. Tenryu-ji itself was ranked 1st of the "Five Zen mountains of Kyoto".

Generally, Zen temple grounds are designed so that they face the south, with major buildings aligned along the north-south axis. Tenryu-ji's layout is an exception to this principle. Sub-temple line both sides of the path, which leads to the lecture hall. There are numerous buildings behind the lecture hall, such as the large abbey (大方丈, ōhōjō) as seen above.

In the centuries since its founding, Tenryuji has been ravaged by fires, most recently in 1864. Most of the present buildings thus date only to the Meiji period. However, the landscape garden behind the Main Hall is one of the oldest in Japan, retaining the same form as when it was designed by Muso Soseki in the 14th century. Known as the Sogenchi Garden, it was the first Special Historical Scenic Area named by the Japanese government.

Leecher knew that I like this picture and he put it as the NOV picture in my personalised 2010 calendar, as we went to Japan in November.

Upon setting foot into this temple, I have been captivated by the ravish beauty of the landscape. The trees, flowers, stones and everything else co-existed together, forming the essence of the garden, yet each individual element is attractive in its own way. Even though the drizzle casted a melancholy mood over the garden, I did not feel the sadness. I felt peaceful and at ease as though a blanket of tranquil has taken over my heart.

Leecher's lame attempt at trying to capture an artistic shot.

Wishing pond for all wishes to come true.

Braving the rain to get pictures, as we couldn't risk dent dent getting wet. So only the photographer gets to have the umbrella, haha.

It was kinda paiseh to ask passer-bys to take pictures for you in the rain, but heck lah. As usual, I will kena the task of approaching others to help us take pictures.

Practising our zi pai - I think we are getting better and better :)

Can you tell why Leecher is in such an awkward position? hurhur ~

Tenryuji is definitely our fave place for viewing autumn colours. The garden is a spectacular display of Zen style pond encircling the garden with Arashiyama and Kameyama ranges as its background. For all those who are planning a trip to Kyoto, this is a place not to be missed.

"Our existence here and now is not due to our own force, but to the force, blessing and support of all around us. This is not only true for ourselves. Mountains, trees and birds - all beings exist accordingly."

-- Sakai Tokugen