『Kyoto』✖『Coronavirus』【Nanzenji Temple】【Japan】
Kyoto ✖ Corona
Kyoto is dotted with historical shrines and temples, old historic sites, and emotional cityscapes.
In recent years, many overseas travelers have visited Kyoto, making it the second most popular tourist destination in Japan after Tokyo.
However, as of March 2020, such trends in the tourism industry in Kyoto have changed drastically due to certain causes.
Of course, it is "coronavirus".
The souvenir shops and inns in each area that were full of foreign tourists are now quiet.
In fact, some may have been forced to stop traveling to Kyoto due to the effects of the Corona.
For those people, I would like to introduce the city of Kyoto by taking a walk with my proud camera and bicycle.
Looking at this, I am very glad if you want to go to Kyoto someday.
Last time, I introduced "Heian Jingu".
The next tourist spot I would like to introduce is Nanzenji, which is near Heian Shrine.
Nanzenji Temple
This is the first temple of the Imperial Japanese Temple of the Imperial Family in the Rinzai sect of Nanzenji, the first temple of imperial temple in Japan. An exceptional temple located on Kyoto Gozan and Kamakura Gozan, it is the highest temple among all Zen temples in Japan.
(Source: Wikipedia)
This gives me the impression of being a very important temple, but I didn't know anything about it until I lived in Kyoto.
I wonder if sightseeing spots such as Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Senbon-torii and so on are highly evaluated for their majestic appearance, and have they become so famous. Appearance may be important.
However, Nanzenji is not at all sober!
Rather, there are many charms not found in other shrines and temples!
This is Sanmon gate, an important cultural property.
Sanmon gate is an abbreviation for the three gates, “Sora”, “Musashi”, and “Musaku”, which represent the three barriers that must pass to reach enlightenment in Buddhist training.
(From Nanzenji Official Website: http://www.nanzen.net/keidai_sanmon.html)
It is also known as "Tenka Ryumon gate" and is one of the three major gates in Japan.
In addition, these Sanmon gate can be climbed on the tower for a fee, and you can see the beautiful scenery of the precincts.
This time, we will refrain from posting it so as not to deprive you of that fun.
By all means, I want you to taste with your own eyes.
(It's not that I didn't visit because I didn't have the money ...)
Suirokaku
Speaking of the “superb view spots” that represent Nanzenji, this must not be forgotten. "Suirokaku", which is well known as a stage for TV, movies and animations, is a valuable monument that tells the modernization of Kyoto.
The project was completed in 1888, along with the “Lake Biwa Canal Project,” in which the water from Lake Biwa was drawn to Kyoto in order to restore Kyoto after the Meiji Restoration.
Like the Lake Biwa Canal, this aqueduct designed by Sakuro Tanabe is 93.2 meters long, 4 meters wide, and 9 meters high. At the beginning of the construction, there were some voices saying that it would hurt the landscape, but now it is a good photo spot worthy of Zen Temple's rustic taste.
"More than 100 years have passed since the construction, and the color of the brick has completely discolored and seems to be somewhat eerie, but it still towers firmly unchanged."
From the scenery, I was able to experience as if I slipped back in the Meiji era.
It is a standard practice to take photos inside the arch.
Overseas people do not see it more than usual due to the influence of corona, but the number of Japanese people have the same impression as usual.
It was also used for K-ON's OP.
(As fans know, K-ON's stage is Kyoto, so there are many other “sacred places”.)
The grounds of Nanzenji are large and you will be invited to a mysterious world if you are wandering.
"The dark green carpets laid down on the walls are grown like rugs, giving you a glimpse of the enormous time that has passed and the strong vitality…"
Some cherry trees are planted on the grounds, so you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing and watching at the same time.
In addition, the autumn leaves are also impressive, and you can overlook the precincts of the red gate from the top of "Sanmon gate".
This concludes the introduction of Nanzenji.
