We stayed one night in the oldest Japanese Inn (ryokan) in the country, the Hiiragiya. Here, our futons were made up for the night for a wonderful night’s sleep.
As is traditionally done whenever people are leaving, everyone outside and inside the bus waves and waves until out of sight.
The beautiful Silver Pavillion called Ginkakuji. However the name, it was never covered with silver leaf.
The 2-meter-high cone is called the “moon viewing” platform. It’s a symbol of Mt. Fuji and is meant to reflect moonlight. It and its garden are beside the Silver Pavilion.
The raked area beside the moon viewing cone represents the “Sea of Silver Sand.” Notice the mob of tourists on the right in the photo. They are going to go on a path up the hill supposedly to view beautiful gardens of moss and trees. However, when I went on that path on another trip it was solid with people and you could be run over if you stopped to take a look.
Lunch at a very special small restaurant with a “contemporary” chef included this dish with a delicious garnish of fried carrot tops!
We got up early the next day to beat the crowds, but we might have been the 4th tour bus to arrive! This is at the Ryoanji Temple, and people are contemplating this famous garden. I’d hoped to stay there a while but the crowds sort of spoiled the effect.
Notice the gorgeous mud wall. It’s as famous as the rock garden.