Day 9
Kinkaku-ji
Ryoanji
Fushimi

Kinkaku-ji: 
The Golden Pavilion
Built by Ashikaga shogun Yoshimitsu (1358-1408) as his retirement villa. Talk about a golden parachute.

Random factoid

Cell phone fever has hit 
japan big time.

I saw lots of Japanese taking pictures with their phones, constantly gaming, IM-ing, and occasionally using as them as a phone.

 
Ryoan-ji Temple
One of my favorite shrines that we visited. I could have spend all day in Zen contemplation.

Raked white gravel, 15 stones and weathered plaster walls, warm sunlight on my tired feet
.
 
The kanji on the basin means, " I learn only to be contented." 


 
Below the temple is a rolling garden, in soft contrast to the geological geometric of the Zen above.


 I ran off to go see Fushimi, home to thousands of Tori gates and mini shrines to Inari, deity of rice and sake. Her shrines are guarded by foxes.


 
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