Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple

14th April 

This was a recommendation from Jisse & Michelle which was great as its only a 40 minute walk from the hostel & another nice sunny day. 

The main temple and grounds, as they are now, were finished over 10 years, starting in 1981 but there has been a temple here since 766. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the years ( see link below.) The striking thing is the hundreds of carved statues, like little trolls or gnomes, created by 'everyday' people who have come here to learn the carving skills

https://www.otagiji.com/story-en

The surrounding trees and the setting of this temple site is quite beautiful

and the temple inside, such a different style to that of SE Asian temples

The walk up to the temple was really nice, through different style houses to the 'Square ones' in some places 

I think this was an example of an old style house

This tree was covered in Oranges...I was so tempted to pick one but didn't dare!

The thing about Kyoto is that a lot of buildings, facilities, these taxis, all seem a bit retro.....not like Tokyo where everything is ultra modern.

But still plenty of Kei cars 😊

I just Love these trees - the leaves are so delicate:

So there are bears as well as wild boar in the surrounding forests!

Bamboo forest:

These bears are funny, called Tanuki, their adornments are different 'good fortune' symbols 

I felt sorry for these guys pulling these Rickshaws 

I reached the river and the surrounding mountains were so beautiful, the multiple shades of green. I sat there for ages watching the birds & the large fish - maybe salmon - trying to swim upstream (I couldn't capture them that well on my phone) and the boats. 

The Salmon (I think).

I walked alongside the river towards another temple that you had to climb up, with beautiful views & flowers along the way.

At the top the view was of over the forests & Kyoto & it was peaceful up there.

This statue was a bit creepy:

I made my way back down & to the hostel 

Globe artichokes growing in a field

15th April 

Today it's rained all day so I've done nothing except read, update my blog, go to the Coin Laundry. They had the TV on in the communal area with the weather forecast......I hope this is a kids TV channel....?

Song for today.......dunno why......no real reason other than I like it & remembered it today