Checking out the scene outside my window upon rising. Saw a pagoda not too far away. Read up and realised that was Toji Temple. Not the one beside the hotel which actually guided me to Kyoto Plaza Hotel. Blessing the disguise then! Had this warm soya bread coated with soya powder and casterd powder. Tasted really good. Like warmly baked you tiao without oil and coated with soya bean milk in powder form. Always love soya product. Thank God.
Today's plan is to check out the area beyond the city of Kyoto. Another really nice old man at the information counter gave me direction between all the destination with his limited english. And they are all volunteers! May God bless them!
First stop - Tofukuji Temple at the south. Its Sammon gate is the oldest and largest Zen temple gate in Japan and is destinated as a national treasure. Basically as the name was given it has 3 main door leading to the temple. And I also received grace at this stop to learn a new way to use the camera. To take a picture against the sun and yet a bright shot and getting reference exposure from a nearby spot. Not sure about the term for this though. So I must also give glory to God through all the photos I take!
Next was Fushimi Inari Taisya Shrine. It is famous for it's consecutive shrine gates line along the path. A rather impressive sight!
Back to Kyoto Station, well known for it's architecture, to hop onto a west bound train to Arashimaya. Another angel-guided 15 min walk to Tenryuji Temple. It was a palace converted into a temple at the behest of Ashikaga Takauji, who wished to use the temple to hold a memorial service for Emperor Go-daigo. A local Ojisang told me it is even more beautiful during Autumn. Next to it is the serene Bamboo walk. And another unbelievable adventure started here. With no detailed map of the area, I just follow the path. I only know that I could catch a bus outside Tenryuji Temple to my next destination. But I ended at one of the exits of Bamboo Walk which is facing a field. I couldn't walk back for it would mean I have to pay to re-enter Tenryuji Temple. I could only simply depend on God and pray. And after an half hour walk, I actually ended up at some bus stop which had exactly the bus I needed to take! It was actually 2 stops away from my initial planned one. Indeed rather than walk back to your old life, why not just let God lead you? For He, who's Almighty will surely bless you when you walked with Him. I took it like the Lord bringing me out for an walk and just followed Him, praising and talking to Him along the way. But another worry popped up in my mind. It's already 3 plus and the next 2 temples close at 430 and 530 respectively. Would I be in time? As the bible says," Leave your worries to God." Since it's really not within my control, I could only pray and leave it to God. I managed to reach the first temple, Ryoanji Temple. Read somewhere that it is famous for its beautiful Zen rock landscape garden. Well it's just a roughly 15 m by 5 m big plot of land with a few rock in it. Indeed it looks a nice painting against the washed wall but for anyone who has seen Wol Myung Dong, this is nothing. Some cherry blossom and plum trees to compensate the disappointment. When I reached the next stop, Kinkakuji Temple, I realised why the timing was as such. It was perfect just like yesterday. My own plan was to cover Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle as well before sunset but God had better plan for me. Kinkakuji Temple is also known as the Golden Pavilion. When I reached there, it was almost sun set time. The pavilion was facing the sun at that time, allowing it to glitter even more! How can it be mere coincidence again? Indeed God is also the best travel planner. But first must remember to pray to register with Him!
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