Kiyomizu Temple

The Second UNESCO Heritage Site

To Kyoto, the city of a million people which used to be the old capital. The coach ride from Osaka to Kyoto was an hour's ride. Clement reiterated that the old city is ancient though not spared from earthquakes. The buildings here are no architectural feats as they are not high rise and built to off set threats from impending quakes.
The roads follow a grid pattern and the city is surrounded by hills and ginko trees are everywhere to be seen along both sides of the main roads. The bullet train passes the city and of course it is clean and hardly can garbage be seen.
In Japan, the church building is a rarity and in fact not seen by us. The ancient temples are everywhere in sight and so our next destination again was to visit the famous Kiyomizu Temple of Kyoto.

Sited on a hill, walkers have to stroll a km or two before reaching the temple. At 10 am, the crowd was already coming in full force and it was again squeezing through human jams. Like walking up the Penang Kek Lok Si, you will sweat and puff. But it was a good walk to see what people of old had constructed and believed in.

I should think that some refurbishment has been done as the building looks new and bright from the outside. The handiwork has to be maintained as not only is it a money churner, it is also a place of worship for the Japanese.

 The architecture is quite similar to the temples of Korea as they are quite nearby and are of Chinese origin. The Japanese Language has used the Han letters to connote and communicate and both the Chinese and Japanese Languages are so interlinked. One need only to see the main Han character to understand enough to get by in Japan.

 From afar, the Kiyomizu Temple stands tall and majestic reflecting the works of old and till today still stand good. 

The panaromic view from the top is truly eye catching.

Notice the support that is built to hold the temple. It is an engineering feat and art. Dad could not help but admire the roof feature that has been installed and at the present undergoing refurbishment.

Nature is so beautiful here.

Of course, the Japanese cannot be apart from the holy water that runs down from natural streams. people thronged there to hold water, drink and cleanse themselves. This is so indigenous in Japan.

 We had our Bento lunch again. Second time running and we are still for it. We wondered at sushi and the other mouth watering cuisines that we ate at home. When are we going to be served that?

After lunch, it was again going round the shops and taking photo with girls in Kimono. 

 The sweets.

 Japanese craft is polished. Good quality and no compromise. Just make sure you buy a Japanese locally made one instead of one made in big China. The price is a contention too; very expensive what with the Ringgit's position.

Truly Japanese and truly nice too.

 Yes, the hat is a good shade.
How do you like my blouse?
I sewed it myself last year when I first retired.
 I was up to it to conquer sewing feats.
It is very Japanese right?

Enroute to Kanazawa, we stopped by Lake Biwa, the largest Japanese lake and the third largest in the world and took the love photo.

To Kanazawa.