Toji Temple - Nijo Castle - Shinkansen to Bairds

Toji Temple

We walked about 10 minutes from the hotel to Toji Temple. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day! We got there just as it was opening. Toji Temple was one of two large temples built in 794 when Kyoto became the capital of the country. It is the one remaining guardian temple on the east side of Kyoto. It is now the central seminary of Esoteric Buddhism and is known as a treasure house of Esoteric Buddhist art due to it's large numbers of Buddhist statues, carvings and paintings brought back from China hundreds of years ago.

Our first siting of the Five-storied Pagoda that measures 187 feet and is the highest pagoda in Japan. The original Pagoda was built in 826. It has been struck by lightening four times and this present pagoda was built in 1644. Stored inside are 4 buddhas.

the detail was incredible...

The grounds approaching the pagoda are beautiful!

These double cherries were spectacular!

This heron was having a feast!!

There was a stunning tree peony garden...

There were also other stunning buildings on the grounds.

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In the main Lecture Hall is located a wonderful set of 21 Buddhist statues arranged according to the Mikkyo Mandala described in the main sutra of Esoteric Buddhism.

No pictures could be taken inside the Lecture Hall so these are photos from off the internet. this whole area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a delightful wander! We headed back to the hotel and checked out and left our luggage there and then headed north once more to visit...

Nijo Castle

This Castle was constructed in 1569 by Ieyasu the first Tokugawa Shogun. It has stunning gardens and many wall paintings of great value. This also is a World Heritage Area.

The corner guardhouse for the outer moat.

Gate to inner area...

This entrance to the Ninomaru Palace contains lovely wall paintings throughout and many large tatami mats. No photos allowed.

South turret

Beautiful copper gates...

very nice gardens...

and wonderful views.

We left the palace and headed for the bus stop. Watched a 101 that we needed back to Kyoto Station go by as we were waiting at the light on the other side of the street. But, another came by within 10 minutes. We decided to stop for a bite to eat before going back to the hotel to get our luggage. We found a wonderful place...best yet...just after the escalator.

Next time you're in Kyoto Station stop here! It's GREAT!

a great sashimi bowl...

and a really good soba noodle bowl!

After lunch we headed back to the hotel, retrieved our luggage and then headed back to the train station. We had about an hour to kill so thought we'd make another visit to our favorite ice cream store...and then headed to the Shinkansen waiting room for about 15 minutes and then headed back to track #11. Before long our train was there and we were off...

abundant cabbage and fields ready to be planted..

and a lot of rice had been planted in the flooded patties.

When we got to the station by Jill's, we tried to call the numbers she had given us on the public phone with no luck. Finally we asked for help from the locals and they tried also...we got quite a nice group working on the project. Finally one of them just called on her cell phone and it went through just fine. Quite a celebration after that!

We're found the Japanese to be wonderful at helping you with directions and finding trains whether they speak English or not! We finally got in touch with Jill and she headed for the station, just a few minutes away. She had trouble getting off the base as they had had a huge Spring Festival with hundreds of locals in attendance to only one gate was open at a time and she hit the change of gates. But we got home just fine to a group of about 30 adults and children at their house for a Hale and Farewell....one person joining the Squadron and one leaving and moving on to another assignment.

The kids loved the somores!!
We socialized for awhile but hit the hay
about 10:00 pm. The party went on much
longer, but we never knew it! It was a
Grand trip to Kyoto...a must see when you come!