Finally, temples

We were finally able to get out and see some temples today. First we went to the Golden Pavilion, also known as Rokoun-Ji Temple. It is one of the most well known temples. They are also known for their macha green tea. It is a special used for tea ceremonies and is powdered green tea leaves which is whisked into the water with a special bamboo whisk. It is quite bitter. The green tea we had a the temple came with a tea cake, which was sweet to counteract the very bitter tea.

There was a market area outside the temple. There is a special book you can get that the monks (at Buddhist temples) or priests (at Shinto shrines) stamp with the seal of the temple or shrine and write a good luck saying in calligraphy. They are very beautiful. At this temple you watch as the monk writes in your book. There were also many green tea related items. Actual macha powder, items to make macha (like the bamboo whisk and measuring spoons,) and macha flavored foods of all sorts. We bought some green tea with gold leaf in it and some spicy rice crackers. There was also a stand selling Japanese shaved ice (which we would call a sno-cone) which came in lemon, strawberry or (of course) green tea.

Next we took a very scenic walk to another temple, Ryoan-Ji temple. The walk was through a mostly residential area. It was obviously an up-scale neighborhood. Most all of the houses had gates along the street with beautiful gardens inside. Some of the and front doors were very elaborate. We also stopped at an art gallery which specialized in wood block prints. You could even make your very own print from an already carved block.

The Ryoan-Ji temple has one of the most famous zen rock gardens. In addition to the temple and rock garden, there is a beautiful Japanese style garden. Again, we had the monks stamp and sign our temple book. Here though, you drop them off and then pick them back up before you leave.

We were supposed to go to a shrine later today, but we were rained out. It is evidently monsoon season here. Tomorrow our first castle if first on the list.