Travel for Life

Autumnal Radiance at Ginkakuji (銀閣寺;  YouTube link )   Situated at the terminus of the Philosopher’s Path , also known as “Along the Old Canal,” the Ginkakuji Temple , marks the end of the trail that originates from Nanzenji Temple . The pavilion’s name, which translates to Silver Pavilion (銀閣寺⭐⭐), sets it apart from the Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion (金閣寺), despite the Silver Pavilion’s design being a homage to the latter. Ginkakuji  unfolds as you walk a circular path around its grounds. First, you'll encounter the Silver Pavilion itself, followed by several other temple buildings. As you continue, a beautiful moss garden will greet you, and finally, a unique dry sand garden will come into view. Throughout this calming journey, you'll be rewarded with captivating views of the gardens, the temple structures, and even a glimpse of Kyoto City itself. Ginkakuji Temple  Instead of taking the Philosopher's Path, I explored a different route to Ginkakuji Temple on Novembe...

Visiting Gion District and Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto (YouTube link ) Based on  Japan National Tourism Organization 's (JNTO) publication— Kyoto Walks , it says that, in Kyoto, the best surprises are reserved for those who are willing to walk. Among those recommended routes, it includes Higashiyama Area    On 12/01/2016, I have visited Higashiyama Area.  In this article, I'll focus mainly on three points of interest in the order of my visit on that day: Gion  (祇園) ⭐ Sannenzaka (三年坂)/ninenzaka (二年坂) shops ⭐ Kiyomizudera  (清水寺) ⭐⭐⭐ Gion District Gion district  is located around  Shijo Avenue  between  Yasaka Shrine  in the east and the Kamo River in the west.   I t is famous for traditional Geisha entertainment, which is probably the largest area in Japan which is associated with this form of entertainment.  It is filled with shops, restaurants and tea houses (茶屋 ). Geisha is the general term.  I...

Visiting Hasedera (長谷寺 ) near Nara (YouTube link ) Inspired by this  video , I've decided to visit  Hasedera  (長谷寺⭐⭐) , one of Nara's famous flower temples. From the photos online,  Hasedera  looks even more stunning in springtime with its blooming flowers. But even in autumn, you can be rewarded with memorable views of the changing leaves, depending on the timing of your visit. I visited  Hasedera  Temple on December 4, 2016 , a rainy day. I had missed the peak autumn colors by about two weeks, but as the video title suggests,  Hasedera  offers tranquility and stunning views of its covered walkways, buildings, and Buddha statue, regardless of the season. Stairs to the Main Hall (本堂) Main Hall (本堂) Nice Restaurant in Town Area For travelers on the road, finding a lovely restaurant to rest and relax is a truly rewarding experience. Luckily, on the day of my visit to Hasedera Temple, I stumbled upon...

Uji  (宇治) ⭐is a charming town nestled between  Nara  and  Kyoto , two of Japan's ancient capitals. It's known for its rich history, tea culture, and stunning autumn foliage. In December 2016, I made my first trip to Uji to see the autumn leaves and visit  Byodoin Temple , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In May 2023, I returned with my daughter to share this special place with her. Visiting Uji River for Its Autumn Colors (YouTube link ) Uji River Lining the riverbank, many teahouses and restaurants showcase Uji's famous tea and tea-themed foods. Visitors can try tea-flavored soba noodles, green tea ice cream, and other popular Uji tea treats while enjoying the view. Nakamura Tokichi Byodo-in , a traditional Japanese tea house located on the banks of the Uji River, is a great place to enjoy matcha desserts and relax with a view . The second floor is especially popular, as it offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding mountains. On the day of...

Gioji Temple Based on Japan National Tourism Organization 's (JNTO) publication— Kyoto Walks , it says that, in Kyoto, the best surprises are reserved for those who are willing to walk. Among those recommended routes, it includes Arashiyama Area  ⭐⭐ On 11/29/2016, I have visited Arashiyama  (嵐山) and mainly in Sagano Area . Togetsukyo Bridge The Togetsukyo Bridge (lit. " Moon Crossing Bridge ") is Arashiyama's most iconic landmark. The bridge is notable for its views of cherry blossoms  in a riverside park and autumn colors on the slopes of Arashiyama . When I visited, the autumn colors on the forested mountainside were not as brilliant as I had hoped. I must have missed the peak autumn colors by a week or two . Video 1.   Visiting Arashiyama (嵐山) in Kyoto (YouTube link ) Sagano Area The area north of the Togetsukyo Bridge (see above map; click to enlarge) is also known as Sagano , which encloses all points of interest described below....