After a wonderful lunch in Kyoto, we headed to the Kiyomizu Temple, a Tea Ceremony and then for a stroll through the Gion.
KIYOMIZU TEMPLE
This is a Buddhist Temple with absolutely spectacular scenery.The main hall has a large veranda, supported by tall pillars, that juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city. It was constructed during the Edo period to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims and they did not use a single nail in its construction.
Water runs off the nearby hills and the water at this temple is meant to bring health and happiness. Beneath the main hall is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of water fall into a pond. Visitors can catch and drink the water, which is believed to have wish-granting powers.
TEA CEREMONY
Although we attended a tea ceremony at the High School in Tokyo, this one was extra special because it was conducted by a tea ceremony master and our guide explained all aspects of the ceremony. Victoria and Brea volunteered to make and present tea after the traditional ceremony.
GION
Today’s tour ended with a stroll through the Gion district. We saw the traditional buildings and narrow streets and learned about the geisha. Kyoto is the heart of Japan’s geisha world. Knowledgeable insiders estimate that there are about 100 geiko and 100 maiko in Kyoto. Other cities, like Tokyo, have some version of geisha, but they don’t usually undergo the strict training that defines Kyoto’s maiko and geiko.
Visit Japan with Dominic College 