A month in Kyoto 2

Finally had some time off and did a spot of exploration.

A nice bell tower just by the university campus where
I am 'helping' with lectures.

An iconic image of Kyoto: Kinkakuji. Built as a retirement home for the shogun
in the early 15th c. and turned into a temple after his death, a monk burnt
the building down in the 50s. It was soon rebuilt to the same design.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the shogun who had the pavilion constructed, was
instrumental in the foundation of Noh.

You can see the sunlight dappling on the gold leaf underneath the roof
and underneath the balcony.

Part of a pine tree planted by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu 600 years ago.

A month in Kyoto 1

I arrived in Kyoto yesterday. Watched Noh for three hours today then climbed a mountain. Exhausted. First snaps:

View from my flat on first evening. Local shine's festival. NB Lion.

For mother and younger sister.

A cairn on the way up the mountain

View across Lake Biwa

Bell at the top

Gion Matsuri in Kyoto

I have uploaded these photos with captions to Facebook. These are just the hi-res images. Click to enlarge.