Dave and I skipped breakfast and walked about 40 minutes to the Kiyomizu-dera temple.
As we explored the area, we found ourselves surrounded by nature and following a path to the top of the mountain.
Dave discovered the head portion of a rhino beetle. The decomposers had gotten to it, and it was very smelly.
The colors of the reddish cedars and green ferns contrasted beautifully.
We found this “mound” at the top of the mountain that looked a little like a grave marker to me.
My electronic device translated the back side of it thus:
Chronicle of Shayin
The Marquis established this site amidst the charming landscape of hills and waters. An elder, having partaken of refreshment here, recounted how the Marquis—along with the Duke of Chunfang—came to offer sacrifices and lodge at this spot. Seeking to cultivate the land and enrich the people, the Marquis developed the area to attract visitors from afar; the elder, too, found the place delightful. Moved by this benevolence, he recorded the story of the site.
—Written by Fujisawa of Nanyue, Eighth Month.
Ise, Nishiki, Yama, Yagami—a scene of poignant beauty.
Dave and I ate at Coco Curry for lunch — despite being a pretty common chain, it has really good food.
When I went to Kyoto in 1992, all the other students got their photo with “The Thinker”. I thought it wouldn’t be worth the film and so I never got the shot. This time, I got it.
Le Penseur (The Thinker) statue is outside of the Kyoto National Museum — this place has a lot of really old Korean-style bells. Some might say too many bells, not enough whistles — but it was ok. They didn’t allow photography inside, so I didn’t take any. You’ll just have to imagine all those really old bells. We met up with the rest of Dave’s family, and I took a second look at the museum.
I decided to walk back to the hotel. My phone plan was out of data, so I couldn’t rely on my mapping app to get me home, and I ended up walking twice as far as I needed to. Suffice it to say, I got my steps in today: ~25,000 of them.
We enjoyed curry for supper that evening (Just Dave, April, and me) at an Indian food restaurant near our hotel.
Tomorrow: last day in Japan.