Ninna-ji Temple

Let’s go to Kyoto! I thought I’d start out the new year with a recap of my visit to some of Kyoto’s fantastic gardens. My first stop was Ninna-ji Temple. Ninna-ji dates to the 9th century making it one of the older temples in a city full of old temples. Around a dozen buildings from different epochs surrounded by a variety of gardens make Ninna-ji a great introduction to Kyoto’s temples. The Ninna-ji website offers a brief history and an English-language blog features great photos and more detailed histories.

After exiting the Kyoto City Bus, I found myself standing directly across from the Nio-mon Gate. The gate takes its name from the Kongo-rishiki – muscular guardians – at its base.

Nio-mon Gate

Agyo Nio – the guardian on the right

Looking up at the gate from underneath

The Goten Palace and gardens sit just inside the gate. It is the most impressive and well-manicured area of the temple.

Black pine with very long, low branches

Japanese maple and pines behind raked sand

Many temples featured seasonal flower arrangements at their entrance. These flowers greeted guests entering the Goten Palace.

Flower arrangement

Goten garden

Moss and pine between buildings

Shady garden

Walking through the Goten

The Goten’s North Garden

Pond, maple and pines

The Five-storied Pagoda behind the Goten’s North Garden

I was really excited to see such great Fall color. In Northern California, Japanese maples typically turn brown before dropping their leaves. The vivid oranges and reds were quite a treat!

More maples and pines

Chokushi-mon Gate

A close-up of the thatch roof at the Goten

Shinden

Lantern

Roof decoration

Five-storied Pagoda

Japanese maples

Five-storied Pagoda

Some older, more delicate, or important buildings were completely off-limits to visitors. Most buildings, however, were far more welcoming.

Hide and seek

Kon-do

Bell Tower

Decorations outside the Mie-do

Mie-do

Kannon-do

Kannon-do foundation

Five-storied Pagoda beyond the Omuro-zakura orchard – dwarf cherry trees

Buddha

Nio-mon gate from inside the temple

Next up: the Ryoan-ji Temple.