Kyoto Local Custom Tips by giampiero6

Love of Nature Gardens Review

The Japanese have a very highly evolved, articulated, and ritualized love of nature. Simplicity and naturalness are highly prized. You won't really find highly logical european gardens or english gardens here, but rather great pains are taken for natural and simple settings. In Kyoto, I found that the garden settings were some of the best parts of enjoying the various temples. If you go, make sure to leave some time for the gardens/grounds as well as the temples.

Manicured Temple Grounds Gardens Review

The temple grounds are quite beautiful and well kept. I was particularly fond of the delicate and fresh greenery...moss, maples, pines. You'll see women placidly sweeping the moss to keep leaves off of it. Being from a dry mediterranean climate in LA, the greenery was stunning and very peaceful. I admired the attentive, care that was lavished on natural details.

Kaz Misses Love at Kiyomizu Temple Visiting Temples and Shrines Review

Towards the top of the temple complex, there is a fun little 'game' that will determine your fate in love. Two stones are placed about 25 yards apart. You have to start at one and closing your eyes, try to walk into the other stone at the end. NO CHEATING. If you walk right to the other stone without looking, you'll have luck, otherwise, time to hit the internet personals. For the record Kaz barely missed, but I walked straight to the stone....I'm not sure if the stones are right! It's fun.