From Hiroshima to Kyoto

We have been in Japan for only a week but I am ready to stay forever...I love it! We are starting to feel more confidant as we maneuver ourselves around on the trains and buses. If we get lost, we just ask for help, and the people go out of their way to help us.

On Thursday, we spent our last day in Hiroshima. We had fun touring the Mazda Museum. During the tour, we got an overview of Mazda's history, and an in depth look into the technology of their cars, and saw new designs and developments. The funnest part of the tour was the assemble line where we saw a number of models actually being assembled...dash boards, windshields, and all! So cool!! Now Doug wants a new Mazda, seeing the quality that goes into each one. The plant in Hiroshima produces 2000 new cars a day! Amazing!

 

Thursday afternoon we took a ferry over to Mijajima Island, it is just off the coast of Hiroshima. It is one of Japan's Crown Jewels. Mijajima Island means Shrine Island, because it is home to several Buddist shrines.

 

This is the Itsukshima Shrine, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This shrine was constructed in the 6th century.

Situated in front of the Shrine, as you approach the island, is the floating 'torii', which serves as a gate to the island. Commoners approaching the island in the early days of commerce had to steer their boats through the gate before embarking on the island.

Mijajima Island has been considered holy for most of Japanese history. In the past, women were not allowed on the island, and old people were shipped elsewhere to die to preserve the purity of the island.

This beautiful little island reminded us of Banff in a way, with lots of tourists, and so many little stores and small shops selling souvenirs. Even deer wander freely through the streets and parks. It was so fun to be able to get so close to them, they love paper and will even eat your map!

So, as it started to get dark at the end of the day, we travelled by train to Kyoto, arriving after dark.

This morning our first stop in Kyoto was the Nijo Castle.

It was originally built in 1603, as the official residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Within the castle is a floor that was built to 'creak' when walked on to warn the Shogun of approaching enemies. It was so cool, but very squeaky!

 

This castle was amazing with so many rooms and tatami mats, with superb wall paintings in every room! It was surrounded by a mote, and beautiful gardens.

 

 

We went next to the 'Golden Pavilion'. It is a Zen Buddist temple, containing relics of Budda. The 3rd Shogun of the Muromachi period bought it in 1397.

The interesting thing about this temple is the gold foil that covers the upper two levels, with a shining 'Phoenix' standing on top. The lake and gardens around it are lovely, and are said to represent 'the pure land of Budda' in this world!

The end of the day found us at the Ryoanji Temple. It was originally a country house, and was acquired in 1450 by Hosokawa Katsumoto for use as a Zen training temple. The grounds are remarkable, with peaceful paths throughout with a beautiful pond in the middle.

The remarkable thing about this temple was the white rock Zen garden. No trees are to be seen, only fifteen rocks and white gravel are used in this garden, it is quite unique! The white gravel is raked daily!

 

On the temple site is also a stone wash basin for the tea room. It has a unique inscription on it..."I learn only to be contented." This concept is important in the Zen spirit, he who learns to be content is spiritually rich! That's a great thing to learn.

 

It was fun today to see and learn about so many historical sites around Kyoto, and to recognize how important these sites are to the people of Japan. I also realized what old means!!! Temples and shrines have been around for centuries in Japan. Our oldest buildings in Canada are just over 250 years old! We just don't know what old is in Canada!!