It’s been a while since I was in Japan, but I still haven’t shared many of my photos. There’s a reason for that: My camera was broken on a Balinese beach about 10 days before, and we had to resort to taking photos on an old iPhone. On top of that, it was overcast the whole time we were there, so the light was terrible for taking photos. However, I decided to share some of photos from a day in Kyoy after having a little fun with photo editing apps.
These photos are from Kiyomizu-dera in the hills above Kyoto. We absolutely loved every minute of our time there, especially at this massive Buddhist temple complex.
We took a lot of photos at the entrance without even realizing that much more lay ahead.
Because this is a very old Buddhist temple, there were some big Buddhas:
And some little tiny ones (see the many rows of little statues behind me?):
The hills surrounding Kiyomizu-dera are said to be gorgeous in the spring when the cherry blossoms and Japanese maples show their colors. They were pretty amazing just in their summer green tones, too:
There were so many little details to be observed, like these girls buying something for luck:
And the hand-washing stations with clean, cold water from the springs below:
And this beautiful sculpture discreetly placed among bent over, staked trees along the paths as we exited.
We were blown away by our short stay in Japan and are really looking forward to returning one day, if Japan airfares are reasonable. Have you been to Japan?
I haven’t been to Japan yet, but lived in S. Korea and loved all the temples there. Japan is definitely on my list. Great photos!
Laurel recently posted..Snowshoeing on the Baltic Sea near Oulu, Finland
I didn’t know you lived in S. Korea. Wow!
Haven’t been to Japan but it’s definitely high on my list of places that I would like to go. The photos are great – can’t believe you took them on a cellphone.
Lisa recently posted..A D-Day Tour of Normandy with Kids
You will love Japan, and it is a great place to travel with kids.
Love, love, love Japan! We didn’t visit too many temples or shrines when we were in Kyoto, though…realized I’m far more interested in modern Japan. We spent a lot of time eating, museum-hopping (modern art of course…haha) and taking ridiculous pictures in the AMAZING Japanese photobooths.
We did visit the super-adorable Kyoto Kaleidoscope Museum – sooo cute!
Ashley recently posted..ArtSmart Roundtable: Saving a Metabolist Architectural Icon in Tokyo
Can’t wait to hear/read all about it. I also liked modern Japan, what little I saw of it.
I think your pics are pretty good for an iPhone! Great colors!
Sonja recently posted..Photo Friday: Spring at Keukenhof
These pictures turned out great for an Iphone and with your photo editing skills. Love Japan! I have always been fascinated with it (even took 2 years of high school Japanese). We were in Tokyo and neighboring cities last July. These beautiful shots brought back a lot of wonderful memories. We’d love to visit Kyoto next time.
I would love to explore more of Japan, including Tokyo, and hope to go there next year or the year after at the latest.
Japan is so high on my list – sad we didn’t make it there last year.
Andrea recently posted..Just How Expensive is Norway?
You will love it when you get there!
The photos look great and tell the story of your time in Kyoto well. I especially like the one of the girls in kimonos. Very pretty. I haven’t been to Japan, but I’m really looking forward to a visit there.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..When It Rains, We Pour
I think you will love it, and from SF,it is an easy flight!
I always get confused about the etiquette for those Japanese hand-washing stations – I usually just sit back and watch a few people first! Great pictures!
Thanks! I don’t think we knew there was specific etiquette…oops!
I loved Kyoto, and my visit to this temple. Sadly, I don’t have many photos from my time in Kyoto. I some how lost a memory card containing hundreds of Japan and China shots. I guess that is a good excuse to go back!
Your shots are lovely, and bring back some great memories.
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — March 29, 2012 — A Magic Moment in Sevilla, Spain
I have had camera/photo problems while and after traveling. It id frustrating, but as you said, it will make a good excuse to go back!
Pretty cool photos.
One of these days, I’ll make it to Japan.
InsideJourneys recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee
I’d never really had Japan high on my list of countries to do, but after talking with friends who did some travels outside of the major cities I’ve definitely had a rethink.
Just liked your facebook page – love that header. Love the hand washing station and am imagining those hills covered with flowering trees.
What do I need to do to be able to choose which post I would like to show with my comment?
budget jan recently posted..Fantastic Friday – Rainbow Mountain – Jasper
Hi Jan,
Thanks for stopping by!! I am not sure if I understand your question, but I think you are referring to Comment Luv. On some sites, Comment Luv is enabled to let you choose one of several previous posts to show with your comment, but I don’t think mine is set up that way. it just shows your most recent post.
Yes is that what I meant – I could not figure out why some sites would let me choose and others not. No worries!
budget jan recently posted..Fantastic Friday – Rainbow Mountain – Jasper