Nanzenji
Okay, so the last of the three temples we saw in kyoto was called nanzenji. (Last in order of this post, actually the second one we saw that day.) This one was our favorite and it really was incredibly beautiful. Part of what it is famous for is it giant aqueduct seen above.
More aqueduct
We paid the admission fee to be able to walk around the gardens. This garden was originally constructed near the end of the Kamakura era, which ended in 1333. So basically this garden has been maintained in more or less the same condition for some 700 years. This is crazy history. The temple, which used to be a palace had originally been built in 1264. Everything we have in the US can’t compete with the level of history. Chris Columbus parents-parents-parents hadn’t even been thought of at this point.
We did not pay to enter the giant palace gate. It is crazy huge and you could pay to get up to the second level from which you could see quite a way. Interesting but not quite worth the 300 en each.
It was really quite incredible and the whole place was tremendously landscaped. Not just the gardens, the whole of the grounds. We spent a good chunk of time just exploring and I definitely want to go back.
More photos of Nanzenji can be found on Flickr!
I would like to see this one. Happy Birthday.