Kyoto

We checked into our ryokan in Kyoto Sunday afternoon, 10/22/18, just in time to have a good soak in the hot spring before getting dressed for dinner.

This little garden greeted us as we came into the foyer.

Lobby tokonoma

This front desk bell caught my eye. It's cast bronze and has a bright sound.

This old fan was in a place of honor across from the front desk or "front" as it's known in Japan.

After we got to our room, this whipped matcha was delivered. There was about a quarter cup but it was
very strong but tasty. On the right are two small sugar flowers that dissolve on the tongue.

After breakfast Monday, we had a two and one-half hour rickshaw tour. First stop was the bamboo forest where the substantial damage from typhoon #25 has been mostly repaired,

This strange photo was taken by our driver who knew
how to make my smartphone do tricks.

Here we are at the Chokushimon Gate to Daikakuji Temple.

Daikakuji is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto, originally built here as an imperial villa when Emperor Saga transferred the capital here some 1200 years ago. We visited at a particularly good time since this is the month when the Chokufushingyo den Hall is opened to the public once every 60 years. No photos were allowed inside most of the buildings so I had to make do with shots of the grounds.

After passing the gate, this is the approach to the main buildings.

Flower arrangements and bonsai were displayed here and there.

This building was decked out in bunting in honor of the occasion.

Before entering the first main building we had to remove and carry our shoes. This walkway was constructed especially
to permit visitors to make faster entrance and exit from the Chokufeshingyo den Hall. Inside were enshrined copies of
sutras transcribed by some of the older emperors and a statue of Yakushi Nyorai.

This spot was off on a side walkway so I took a chance and shot a quick photo. The box with the wooden bars
is where coins are deposited before praying.

On the way out, this old stone bridge caught my eye.

These stone guardians watched over the entrance to the restaurant where we had lunch.

On one wall of the restaurant were displayed these old grinding wheels. Both the wheel
and the trough are made of steel and did the job a little more slowly than modern blenders.

We had free time after lunch so I walked over to the Saga-Arashiyama train station and rode into the Kyoto Main station, about a twenty minute ride. Kyoto Station is one of the larger train stations in Japan so I  had to make mental notes so I could get back to the right train for the return trip.

Got back to our ryokan in time to have another bath before dinner.

In the dining room, this unusual hanging fabric divider screened the entrance from the room.

In the dining room tokonoma were this flower arrangement and the old biwa below.

The biwa is only played during special occasions nowadays.