Day 61 - Dancing, Dragons, and Seven More Miles!

Another interesting day exploring Kyoto, and somehow we managed to walk seven miles again!

We started at the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, where we enjoyed seeing examples of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, including a young woman demonstrating the delicate art of mizuhiki — decorative knots made from stiffened paper cords.

The main event was Gion Odori, one of Kyoto’s traditional dance performances featuring the geiko and maiko of the Gion Higashi district. Cindy particularly enjoyed the beautiful dancing, elaborate costumes, and graceful movements.

Our tickets included a tea ceremony, although calling it a ceremony was rather generous! We were especially glad we’d experienced a proper, intimate tea ceremony a couple of days ago, where we could appreciate the precision and meaning behind each movement.

After the performance, we continued exploring on foot.

One highlight was Kennin-ji, Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple, founded in 1202. Its peaceful gardens, moss-covered stones, raked gravel, and beautiful painted screens were a welcome contrast to the bustle outside.

But the real surprise was the enormous Twin Dragons painting covering the ceiling of the Dharma Hall. We assumed it must be centuries old. In fact, it was completed in 2002 for the temple’s 800th anniversary! The artist worked in an old school gymnasium in Hokkaido to accommodate the enormous painting. A wonderful example of Japan continuing its artistic traditions rather than simply preserving them.

Our wanderings also took us past a remarkable boar statue at Zenkō-an Temple, covered with little offerings. After yesterday’s Inoko Festival, we seem to be encountering boars everywhere!

We passed through a quiet shopping arcade decorated with colorful lanterns and discovered Myōden-ji, a Nichiren Buddhist temple founded in 1477. Its impressive wooden hall was another reminder that Kyoto’s extraordinary history isn’t confined to the famous tourist attractions.

Eventually we made our way home, having covered another seven miles despite supposedly taking things a little easier while recovering from our colds.

A day of beautiful dancing, traditional crafts, ancient temples, modern dragons, and unexpected discoveries. Kyoto keeps rewarding us for simply walking its streets!Read more