Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its thousands of closely-spaced orange torii gates that wind over the hills of Inariyama beyond the entrance to the shrine, creating spectacular, bright tunnels.

Inari shrines honor the patron deities of agriculture and business, ensuring a constant stream of worshippers and the individual torii are donated by merchants hoping to get ahead in business, and they are not cheap. You will notice dozens of small statues around the shrine of the fox deity (kitsune) - the messenger of Inari.

Admission is free and it is a good hike to the top. It can be access by Fushimi Inari station (Keihan Line) or JR Inari station from Kyoto station.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Ryoan-ji Temple has on of the most famous Zen gardens in the Karesansui (dry landscape) style, a collection of 15 rocks in a sea of raked sand, enclosed by an earthen wall. It is one of the most heavily visited sites in Kyoto have relegated it to a place that "tourists" go to.

The roots of the art of Japanese garden date back to antiquity. Initially, Japanese gardening was under the fundamental influence of Chinese and Korean immigrants. It was not until the Heian period (794-1185 AD) that it became exclusively a Japanese affair, being still a hobby rather than profession or even art. Later on, the monks of Buddhist temples came to assert themselves as garden designers and it was Buddhism, namely its contemplative form "Zen" that created the original, truly Japanese form of gardens known as karesansui - dry or rock garden.

The garden itself is a series of boulders, all together 15 "floating" in a sea of raked gravel. Accordingly, it’s only 14 can be seen, and when one has attained enlightenment, the 15th will become visible.

Many explanations are given for the rock arrangement and minimal decoration. Probably all that can be said that it is highly influence by the ideals of the tea ceremony, in which wabi - honesty, rusticity and understatement are held esteem. The idea of wabi resonated well with the Zen of Buddhism, which incorporated tea Architecture into the temple design, leading to gardens like Ryoan-ji. Wabi is also a powerful design technique that combines simplicity and understatement to allow the viewers’ imagination to "fill in the blanks".

Popularity: 4% [?]

The image of the pavilion which stands at the edge of Kyokochi pond, is reflected in the water and makes a beautiful postcard picture.

I made it to the Golden Pavilion and had a good experience taking it all in. Kinkaku-ji is a Zen temple, formally known as Rokuonji and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is constructed in 1937 as part of a new residence for the retire shogun. The pavilion was converted into a Zen temple after the shogun’s death.

Pheonix at the roof top.

The Zen-influenced Golden Pavilion has delicately curving roofs and the walls and eaves of the second and third stories are covered with fine gold leaf, surrounded by a calm lake and gorgeous Japanese Gardens. The architecture is a symbol of Kitayama culture. However, this pavilion is not original. It was burned to the ground many years ago and was rebuild again. The gold leaf is five times thicker than the original coating. You almost need sunglasses! Be sure to explore the surrounding as well. Kinkakuji is probably Kyoto’s most famous and certainly most photographed temple garden. No trip to Kyoto is complete without seeing this Pavillion.

Behind the garden… Statues

You can access Kinkakuji by city bus to Kinkakuji Mae, remember to get a one-day pass and you can use it for public buses or subway. Take bus number 101 or 205 from Kyoto Station. You can also take the Karasuma Subway line to Kitaoji station from where the temple can be reached in a short bus ride. Admission is Y400 and it opens from 9:30 am to 5pm. There were a lot of people there, but it was still worth it. Arrive early to avoid the crowds. You have to visit here if you are ever in Japan.

Popularity: 4% [?]