Part #1: How I Quietly Fell in Love with Japan
Part #2: Getting Around Kyoto
Part #3: Bamboos Galore!
Part #4: The One in Which I Did Not Get Attacked By a Monkey
Part #5: In Search of a Geisha
Next up on my Kyoto itinerary was the Silver Pavilion, or Ginkaku-ji. Built in the 15th century, the two-storied temple isn’t actually silver. Way back when, the plan was to cover the building in a silver foil, and the nickname stuck.
The best way to get to the Silver Pavilion from the Westin is to walk along the Philosopher’s Walk, a pedestrian-only path along a canal.
It is an easy, scenic stroll, filled with curious odds and ends. Case in point:
And this:
The path is also very popular with cats and people who like to play with cats.
The end of the path leads to the Silver Pavilion which boasts traditional Japanese gardens and pretty views in addition to the not-so silver Silver Pavilion.
Japanese rock gardens are decidedly sparse. But that doesn’t mean they are easy to maintain. They are stunning works of art.
And finally the view from the top of the garden:
[…] Part #1: How I Quietly Fell in Love with Japan Part #2: Getting Around Kyoto Part #3: Bamboos Galore! Part #4: The One in Which I Did Not Get Attacked By a Monkey Part #5: In Search of a Geisha Part #6: The Not-So Silver Silver Pavilion […]
[…] #4: The One in Which I Did Not Get Attacked By a Monkey Part #5: In Search of a Geisha Part #6: The Not-So Silver Silver Pavilion Part #7: Orange I Glad I Made it to […]
[…] #4: The One in Which I Did Not Get Attacked By a Monkey Part #5: In Search of a Geisha Part #6: The Not-So Silver Silver Pavilion Part #7: Orange I Glad I Made it to Inari? Part #8: The Very Gold Golden Pavilion After two and […]
[…] #4: The One in Which I Did Not Get Attacked By a Monkey Part #5: In Search of a Geisha Part #6: The Not-So Silver Silver Pavilion Part #7: Orange I Glad I Made it to Inari? Part #8: The Very Gold Golden Pavilion Part #9: First […]