2021. In our Grand Scheme of Travels, Danny and I had planned to be in Japan with Michel. Quod non. So let’s go back to March and April 2013, when my sister Florence, her husband Kenneth, my nephew Leo and my niece Isaline travelled to Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. The classic intro to Nippon and a golden opportunity. I grew up with anime such as ‘Dragon Ball‘ and ‘Saint Seiya‘ on television and Japan had been on my wish list since I was little. There’s a lot I don’t remember. But thanks to photos on Facebook, my guidebook and check-ins on Swarm (Foursquare), I can reconstruct parts of that trip. 

I described Aranku-ji, Ginkaku-ji or Temple of the Silver Pavilion, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji or Temple of the Golden Pavilion earlier. We saw more temples in Kyoto.

For photos, it got tricky. I didn’t caption my photos on Facebook, so some eight years on, I’m not sure which id which.  This is why we started Trip By Trip!

Eikando Zenrin-ji Temple

Eikando, formally known as Zenrin-ji Temple, belongs to the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism, says Japan Guide. Eikando is very famous for its autumn colors and the evening illuminations that take place in fall.

Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan, says Japan Guide.

Nanzen-ji was founded in the middle Kamakura period (1291).It was destroyed by fire in 1393, 1447, and 1467, rebuilt in 1597, and expanded in the Edo era. A large complex, it has varied over time between nine and twelve sub-temples.

Chion-in

Chion-in or the Monastery of Gratitude in Higashiyama-ku is the headquarters of the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land Sect) founded by Hōnen (1133–1212), who proclaimed that sentient beings are reborn in Amida Buddha‘s Western Paradise (Pure Land) by reciting the nembutsu, Amida Buddha’s name.

The vast compounds of Chion-in include the site where Hōnen settled to disseminate his teachings and the site where he died. 

Shoren-in

Shoren-in is a temple of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism located at the foot of Kyoto’s Higashiyama Mountains, Japan Guide says.

It is one of the city’s monzeki temples, which are temples whose head priests were traditionally members of the imperial family. A winding route takes visitors through Shorenin’s various temple buildings and gardens.

Ninna-ji 

Ninna-ji is the head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism.

It was founded in 888 by the retired Emperor Uda. It is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Tenryū-ji

Tenryū-ji is the head temple of the Tenryū-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, located in Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō Ward. 

The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, primarily to venerate Gautama Buddha.

Sources: Japan Guide, Wikipedia.

2013 Japan Family Trip

1. JAPAN 2013 | Solo in Tokyo.
2. JAPAN 2013 | Tokyo ft. Ueno Park and the Shibuya Crossing.
3. JAPAN 2013 | Tokyo ft. Sensō-ji, Hamarikyu Gardens and the Imperial Palace East Gardens.
4. JAPAN 2013 | Meiji Shrine and Harakuju in Tokyo.
5. JAPAN 2013 | Tokyo ft. Tsukiji Fish Market, Ginza, Zōjō-ji Temple, Tokyo Tower and traditional restaurant Jomon in Roppongi.
6. JAPAN 2013 | Tokyo – Hakone by train.
7. JAPAN 2013 | Hakone Yumoto – Lake Ashi – Owakudani.
8. JAPAN 2013 | Hakone Yumoto Onsen Tenseien.
9. JAPAN 2013 | Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Path and Anraku-ji Temple.
10. JAPAN 2013 | Kyoto’s Ginkaku-ji or Temple of the Silver Pavilion.
11. JAPAN 2013 | Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.
12. JAPAN 2013 | Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto.
13. JAPAN 2013 | Kinkaku-ji or Temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto.