Genthar.net

First stop was Ninna-Ji - Founded in 888, this was also formally called the Old Imperial Palace of Omuro. The grounds around this place are gorgeous. But, it occurred to me that I was primarily showing you the outside of places, rather than some of the insides. Part of this is because many of the temples and such don't allow pictures inside, and part of it is because the shots really don't do justice to the richness of color and texture, but, I thought I'd show at least a few shots of the insides.

Here's one of the rooms. This and subsequent rooms have the same painting of the pine tree, but in different seasons. This is a stitched image so the room is a bit distorted.

Part of the covered walkway leading around the temple, with a glimpse of the gardens beyond...

Another view of the gardens from the surrounding walkways.

Heading down one of the walkways....

To where you can see this:

A small Pagoda hidden in another section of the gardens.

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We also went to Daikakuji Temple. This temple was originally the detached palace of Emperor Saga in the late 800's. Later he decreed that the palace would be converted to a Shingon Buddhist temple.

One of the gorgeous painted screens in the temple.

One of the images in the main shrine.

And of course, what Emperor's palace turned temple would be complete without an amazing garden.

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Last on today's trip was Ryoanji Temple.

The temple is most famous for the Zen rock garden in the central area. This stitched image has a little distortion across it, but it captures the garden for the most part.

Also on the grounds is a large pond, that on this day was still and nearly mirror-like in it's reflection. Unfortunately it was late in the day and quite cloudy so the light was not good for many of the pictures of the path around the pond, and even some of the shots of the pond, but here's one of the better ones.

I call this one: Reflections