Kyoto

Made early morning trek to Heian Jinju Shrine yesterday to take in the gardens, most designed in late 1800s by famous Japanese landscape/rock garden designer. Getting back was its own challenge. I watched the bus I intended to take (as I stood on opposite side of street), tried another bus line (and then rode bus three stops in opposite direction). Trial and error but am getting it down — just in time to leave!

Not to miss New Year’s Eve - or on Dec 30 for us in U.S - livestream of ringing the Chion-in Bell in Kyoto. Cast in the mid 1600s, it’s almost 10ft high and weighing 70 tons. No idea how they got it to hang. On New Years Eve, 30 monks take part in a ritual ringing the bell 108 times, using a beam and rope system. https://youtu.be/qOwQN8zsiKk
The number 108 depicts the number of worldly desires (believed to cause pain and suffering to the human heart.) Ringing the temple bell is so that each pain afflicting worldly desire vanishes one by one upon hearing the sound of the bell, to start year fresh.

Also found one (of five) Pokémon manhole covers, and visited an art museum on culture of maiko and geiko, and saw two small dance performances. Totally captivating!! I would schedule another trip specifically to see a full scale performance of this.

https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/ma…Læs mere