Japan 2008 (7) - Kyoto (二条城, 銀閣寺)

Day 6
We went to four parks in one day today: Nijo Castle, Ginkakuji, Nanzenji Temple and Kiyomizudera. It was a long day. Originally we only planned to go to three. Nanzenji was not on our list. We happened to walk by it, and couldn't resist its blazing fall color.
We started the day with Nijo Castle. The castle consists of two concentric rings of fortifications, each consisting of a wall and a moat.

1. Entrance to Ninomaru Palace with floors that squeak like nightingales when someone walks on them (a security measure against intruders).


2. Inside Nijo Castle.


3. One of the bridges over Inner Moat.


4. Me on the bridge.


5. Another look of the bridge.


6. Seiryu-en Garden.


7. Seiryu-en Garden.


8. Inside Nijo Castle.


After Nijo Castle, our second stop of the day was Ginkakuji, the "Temple of the Silver Pavilion". Unlike Kinkakuji, plans to cover the pavilion in silver were never realized. And even worse, at the time of our visit, Silver Pavilion was covered off for restoration, so we couldn't even see it.

9. A pile of sand near the entrance, is said to symbolize Mount Fuji.


10. Sand garden next to the "Fuji".


11. Another look.


12. Grounds covered with mosses.


13. Going up to an overlook.


14. Silver Pavilion in restoration.


(To be continued)