Cherry Blossoms at Nanzen-ji

Sanmon, Nanzen-ji

At the southern part of the Philosopher's Path, you can find one of the great zen temples in Kyoto, the Nanzen-ji or Southern Zen Temple. Established in 1291 by Emperor Kameyama as a villa and later converted into a temple. As one of the most important Rinzai temple in Japan, it attracts a lot of people for its scenic beauty and calm atmosphere.

The San-mon (Triple Gate), a massive gateless gate which symbolizes the entrance, is the most sacred part of the temple. Visitors may climb up to its top balcony and have a great view of the temple and city of Kyoto for Y300.

Toji Temple Flea Market

Every 21st of the month, Toji Temple host a huge outdoor market known as Kobo-san, named after the founder of the temple, Kobo Daishi who died on the 21st of March. From 9am - 4:30pm, stalls are set up and sells variety of items in the spacious ground of the temple. From antiques, pottery, plants, crafts, clothes likes used kimono, foods and even bicycles!

There are so many to choose from and each stall sells unique items from one to another at a good price. Some items can be negotiate to lower the price too. This flea market is not only popular to Japanese but also to foreigners where they can buy good souvenir items. Wasn't it nice to shop while sightseeing? 

Temple of Golden Pavilion

Yearly, almost 30 million tourist from all over the world visit the city of Kyoto for its magnificent temples, shrines, castles and gardens which have been preserved for many years. One of the most famous destination not only in Kyoto but in whole Japan is the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. I believe that your travel in Japan is not complete without visiting this place which should not be miss by every tourist in Japan.

As you enter the main gate, you cannot avoid the number of people wanted to get inside the temple grounds. Most of the visitors are elementary students in Japan having a school trip or a large group of foreigners which makes the place very crowded. But still, entering inside is very easy and organized. Admission fee is worth Y400. 

Golden Pavilion reflecting wonderfully in its pond.

Daitoku-ji, The Zen Temple

While I was strolling in the northwest of Kyoto, I found this large Buddhist temple complex known as Daitoku-ji Temple also called as Ryuho-zan which means "dragon treasure mountain". Established in the year 1319 by Shoho Myocho, Daitokuji is one of the best place to experience the Zen culture architecture including gardens and tea ceremony rooms. Like many temples in Kyoto, the temple was burned down during the Onin war and rebuilt in the 15th century.

Daitokuji

Nijo Castle, Home of the Shoguns

I have been to Japan so many times but it was actually my first time to have a tour in the Nijo Castle, a historical landmark in Kyoto. At first I was expecting that the castle would be look like the other huge castle in Japan. However, this one is different but it didn't disappoint me and I was quite impress.

Ninomaru Palace of Nijo Castle  

A Thousand Shinto Shrines

One of the most important shrines in Kyoto along with Heian Shrine, Kamigamo Shrine, Shimagamo Shrine and Yasaka Jinja, is the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Famous for its stunning thousand vermilion torii or shrine gates which forms a pathway up to top of Inari Mountain where you can a decent view of the city of Kyoto. The shrine honors the deity of rice, sake and prosperity called Inari which draw business people for the success of their enterprise.

The Kyoto Aquarium

While I was watching TV, I saw the advertisement of the newest attraction in Kyoto called "Kyoto Aquarium" which opened last March 12, 2012. This large scale aquarium exhibits various  marine wildlife and offers interaction with the aquatic life. At the very next day, I check it out with my mom and my little brother since he doesn't have school and it's the last day of Golden Week, the longest vacation period in Japan. It is just one train ride from our home and 15 minutes walk from the Kyoto Station or you can take a bus to get there faster.

The Ancient Nara, Japan

The first time I went to Nara was just last January, 2012 with my little brother. Less than one hour ride from Kyoto by train. It was cold winter back then still many tourist visit the park and having a picnic around the place. This spring I revisited the place for another adventure.

Nara is the first capital of Japan before Kyoto and Tokyo, built in 710 A.D and located in the Kansai Region near Osaka and Kyoto. Full of historical temples and known for its central park where lots of deer roam around freely. Some of them are wild and aggressive so be careful in showing food.



According to wikipedia, the Japanese deers are regarded as messengers of gods in the Shinto region.



Deer biscuits are widely sold all over the place.

Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan

Last March, I had a school trip in Palawan, which is in the southwest of Metro Manila and  approximately one hour flight by air. It was not cloudy and fine weather on that day so I had a great view of Palawan and its islets from above.

The islands of Palawan

Palawan is an island province and considered as the "last frontier" in the Philippines. Rich in rainforest, world class beaches, variety of flora and fauna, unique marine life and amazing mountain landscape which attracts many tourists around the world. According to our tour guide, Palawan is the safest haven in the Philippines because the island is not prone to earthquakes and very few typhoons cross due to its low altitude. Furthermore, Palawan has a low population density and low crime rate.

An Introduction

Hello!

Recently, I find myself hook in reading stories online about travel and life which inspires me a lot so I decided to make one also. Why? All I want is write, express my thoughts, share my dreams, and tell the world my stories. Most of the time, I am alone and I don't have someone to talk to. What I do is write down my feelings, angs, sorrows, etc. and I feel relieve after releasing it in a piece of paper.