Adventures in Anything & Everything: Kyoto Culture Day

Kyoto is a beautiful city in Japan. There are temples and shrines all across the city, and even into the foothills! It used to be the capital before Tokyo, so there is so much to see and so much to do! I feel that even if you lived in Kyoto for years, you still wouldn't see everything it has to offer.

That being said, I did not live in Kyoto and all of my visits were quick trips. However, on one of my trips I discovered a Buddhist Temple in the Higashiyama area. It is called Kodaiji and in the fall, the autumn foliage is just beautiful! If you want to read more about this temple, here and here are some information sites in English. It was only by chance that I discovered this temple, and after that first discovery I went back at least 3 more times! In Japan, every November 3, is a national holiday called "Culture Day."

In 2010, I decided to celebrate "Culture Day" by taking a quick trip to Kyoto. It was a little early to see the maple leaves, but a few had started to turn so it was a great little adventure! Of course I had to go to Kodaiji, because the leaves are gorgeous and it is one of my favorites to visit in Autumn! It is beautiful, relaxing, and not as crowded as the "main" temples in Kyoto! But don't take my word for it, just look at these pictures I took of Kodaiji! And then, if you every get the chance to go to Kyoto, be sure to visit one of my favorite temples! (However if you are going in the Spring, then you can skip Kodaiji and visit somewhere else, because this temple is best seen in the Fall!)