Kōdō Gyōgan-ji, Chōhō-ji.
MAP
I had a day on my own, so I decided to visit two of the 33 Kannon temples which were in central Kyoto. First I went to Kōdō Gyōgan-ji Temple - the 19th stop on the pilgrimage. It was a pleasant walk through a quiet neighborhood to get there. It was founded by a hunter who swore off killing and became a monk. The temple is well known for lotus blossoms and the neighborhood cats who hang out there. I saw some of both.
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| Main Hall |
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| Lotus Flower |
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| Kitty cat climbing over Jizo statues at Hyakutai Jizō-dō (Hundred Jizo Hall). |
I got back on the subway and went to the 18th stop on the pilgrimage: Chōhō-ji. This temple is better known by the name of its six-sided pavilion: Rokaku-do. In contrast to Kōdō Gyōgan-ji Temple, this one is surrounded by tall buildings & there is an adjacent Starbucks that has a big window overlooking the garden. You can sip your coffee and engage in quiet reflection at the same time. I was able to go up to the 9th floor of a building next door to get some good pictures too. Chohoji is reputed to be the birthplace of ikebana flower arranging.
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| Front gate at Chōhō-ji |
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| Looking down on Rokkaku-do you can clearly see the 6 sides. |
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| Jizo statues at Chōhō-ji, along with a little flock of ceramic doves. |
I made a quick trip to Aeon mall which was just a block or so south of Kyoto Station. There was a small Popondetta model train store where I bought some small two-axle freight cars for the switching layout I’m building.
That night we had a sushi dinner on the 11th floor of the Iseten department store in the station. Afterwards we went down to the 9th floor to look for the Kato model train store. We found it, but it was closed. Also on the 9th floor and open was a high class Itoya stationary store.
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| The susume (recommended) plate at Tsukiji Sushisei. |
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| And for dessert: matcha warabi mochi. |
