East district part 2

Second day in Kyoto. The sun is strong , I have slept well , ready for a new day.
On my way to a temple It smelled like “France” bakery. Mmmh I had to stop there.
It was a nice bakery. You could find French food but also some more fusion food. French food with a Japanese twist ! I had a small breakfast before continuing my walk. Kyoto have so much of these cosy cafés and restaurant.

First temple of the day : Ginkakuji temple.

Entrance door.

The temple was beautiful but the best thing about it is the garden all around it. Everything is so well presented. Nature is the main focus in Japanese gardens. You can really have an organic feel when you walk in them. It really is a healing experience just to be in that nature. Zen garden is a true art in Japan.

Now out of the temple on the shopping street nearby. Time to get some snacks .

This is Onigiri or rice ball with a nori seaweed around. You will find them everywhere in Japan. They exists in many flavors. I took one with a veggie curry inside. A healthy snack. Overwhole food is healthy here. The sweets arent too sweet. The use of artificial component feels minimal. Many artisanal / street food all around. And the portion sizing are never too big.
Matcha tea set that cames with Dango.
Okay now i’m ready for a long day of walking.

But first let’s find the “Philisopher path”.

It starts just here , nearby Ginkakuji temple.

The “Philospher path” is a 1-2 hours walk on a cute path along a small river. This is a great place to relax and reflect. I really needed that walk away from the cars and the crowed.  It felt healing.

Along the path you will find many craft stores and cafés. As you can see mostly tourist goes there. The best way to experience this path is to really take your time.

A place to enjoy Matcha tea and ceremonies too.

You can meet artists along the way too. This guy had incredible drawing skills. His arts almost felt like pictures.

You will find many temples along this path so you have many choices. I thought why not trying some random ones. The good things of doing that is that you may find hidden gems slighty off the beaten path.

Like the Honen in temple.

This place was mystical. Almost no people and moss everywhere. The entrance reminded me of the traditional houses back home in “Normandie”. “Chaumière” style !

Next temple : the Eikando Zenrin-Ji temple. In most temple you will have to pay a entrance fee (about 4-5 euro). Inside you often have extra visit like gardens ,  tea house… So be prepared for that. I think it’s really worst the money. When you see how preserved are the places. If you think you are travelling 9000k to come to this place you have to experience it at the fullest.

Eikando Zenrin-Ji entrance. A happy man in a happy place. This temple was incredible. The site was big and has a lot to see.

The view from the pagoda.

These gardens are magical. You can see the start of the Momiji , the change in colors leafs. In Kyoto the colors pick is around beginning of November but even end of October you can see some changes.

There is no words or pictures to express how specials are theses temple. The vibration in them is strong and organic. Kyoto is a healing journey. You dont need to understand the religions to be able to feel that ambient purity.

 

Next temple and also one of the most popular : Nanzenji

You could access a typical zen garden.

Just stop , sit down and enjoy. Theses gardens are meant to clarify your mind. I could feel that.The way the space is arranged create a smooth mindset inside. Someone the zen garden being a tool to unwind mind body stagnations.

Last visit of the day , the Tenjuan temple in Nanzenji site. The garden there was breathtaking. You just feel like smiling for no reasons there ^^

It was my favorite garden of the day. Plus not many people was there. I loved how these places were so different each time. Different gardens ,  different energy and different feelings.

Going back toward the center of Kyoto for a a little rest in a cool place.

Mumokuteki Cafe & Food is one of theses places where you feel home the second you go inside. At ground floors it’s a big vintage store. At first floor there is a vegetarian café that serve sweets and brunchs. I had a veggie burger which were wonderful. A place to try and to come back.

If you are vegan , vegetarian or you just want to enjoy delicious food , Kyoto  has you covered. Kyoto is magical. It has a strong yet peacefull energy. You can feel that in temples but also in community places like bars , restaurants and café
Kyoto feels like unwrapping a gorgeous present. A present that have so much history and wisdom.

Take care my friends .

Amazed
Bikkuri びっくり