DAY FIVE
We are a little templed out, so we go for a hike/walk we found in one of the guide books, named: Tetsugaku-No-Michi (Path Of Philosophy). The path takes its name from one of it’s most famous strollers: 20th century philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who is said to have walked this every day to keep fit and think.
Unlucky for us it is lined with temples and even though we thought we had seen enough, we cannot resist.
First up is Honen-In. As many of the other temples, this also has a beautiful garden that looks lovely in this autumn with the fabulous autumn colours.
Tetsugaku-No-Michi (Path Of Philosophy)
in the garden of Honen-In
We also find a buddha tucked away in a corner and a little mini tower.
Next in line is Nanzen-Ji. This exited me even more as they had a fully blown aqueduct!! Weird to see in Japan, as it feels like going back to Roman times seeing it, but it is very impressive indeed. Not only could you walk under it and be amazed by the autumn foliage around it, you could also go up and see the water flowing over the heads of others. How the Romans ever invented this is beyond me. Very clever piece of work.
Within the complex is a gate called the Sanmon, it symbolizes the three roads to Buddhist liberation and is well knows as one of the three biggest gates in Japan. The gate is in true Zen style, with a gabled roof of baked clay tiles and with 5 pillars and 3 entrances. My parents don’t want to go up so they wait downstairs as I go up. The view is amazing and can see all over the mountains and over the temples. The photo’s do not do it justice. As do none of the photos by the way, you really have to see it to believe it!!!! The stairs up and down are very VERY low, silly mini Japanese people! so there is a massive sign saying Mind Your Head. a little different from Mind The Gap, haha!
The view from gate Sanmon in Nanzen-Ji temple
Kinkaku-ji or Rokkuon-Ji-The Golden Pavilion and the Kyoko-chi, mirror pond
After this, we decide, as we are not too far from it, to go see another temple on our to do list: Kinkaku-ji or Rokkuon-Ji-The Golden Pavilion. The 2nd and 3rd floor are covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer and the roof is thatched with shingles. The pond in which it stands is called Kyoko-chi, which means mirror pond. A name i can understand it having as it served as a mirror, its almost as if you see double!
As the sun was setting, it let an fantastic light on the temple and again the photo’s do not do it justice. I was hoping for a glorious sunset complete with pink, orange and red skies but unfortunately it was cloudy and there was none of the sort. Never the less a fantastic day which ended with a beautiful pizza (yes I know!! no Japanese food today 
) PS the rest of the photos will be added ASAP on Japan-The photos underneath. hopefully tonight-japan time xx
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