Day 8: Imperial Nijo Nanzenji

We signed up in advanced for the 10am English guidance tour (duration: 60mins, free) for Kyoto Imperial Palace, took a train ride to Imadegawa Station (nearest station to the agency's office, fare ¥250), walked 10mins to arrive at the agency's office, handed over the confirmation slip for registration and were directed to a waiting room where we watched a short introductory video clip (~15min).

Entrance to the agency's office

Rich in tradition, Kyoto Imperial Palace preserves the look and ambiance of the Palace as it had been in the time of Japan's ancient imperial dynasties. The current Palace was rebuilt in 1855 and comprises several structures that reflect the architectural styles of various periods. Timber and cypress-bark roofing being the building materials of choice in ancient Japan.
Sliding door with paintings

The Heian-period technique of garden landscaping known as Go-shintai was employed as a way of paying homage to the 'unique and extraordinary' that exists in nature.

Beautiful display of autumn leave color!

We had lunch at this fast food outlet (guess it's a rival of Yoshinoya). Beef set going for ¥420 and the food tastes really similar to Yoshinoya.

Next: Nijo Castle (Nijojo) consists of two concentric rings of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings and several gardens. Admission: ¥600. No photography inside Ninomaru Palace.
Ninomaru Palace is built almost entirely of Hinoki cypress. The decoration includes lavish quantities of gold leaf and elaborate wood carvings, intended to impress visitors with the power and wealth of the shoguns. The sliding doors and walls of each room are decorated with wall paintings by artists of the Kanō school. The most famous feature is the "nightingale floors" in the corridors: To protect the occupants from sneak attacks and assassins, the builders constructed the floors of the corridors in such a way as to squeak like birds when anyone walks on them.

Honmaru Palace

The garden has a large pond with three islands and features numerous carefully placed stones and topiary pine trees.

The bridge over the moat will bring to you to Honmaru compound. Here, we can have an overview of the Honmaru Palace from the ruined donjon.

Nanzenji Temple, whose spacious grounds are located at the base of Kyoto's forested Higashiyama mountains, is one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan. Nearest bus stop: Nanzenji, Eikando-michi. Nearest subway station: Keage. Open daily, 8.30am-5pm.
Beautiful autumn color along the path towards Sanmon Gate. The temple's distinctive two-storey entrance gate is a classic "gateless" gate of Zen Buddhism that symbolizes entrance into the most sacred part of the temple precincts. PS: You can pay ¥500 for admission to the 2nd storey for pleasant views over the surrounding area of the city.

Nanzenji Temple and its interior

The garden is particularly spectacular with autumn leaves and it's definitely very relaxing and enjoyable to walk around the temple complex!

Inside Hojo - the abbot's quarters are sliding doors (fusuma) with impressive 16th-century paintings which divide the chambers. These wall panels of the Twenty-Four Paragons of Filial Piety and Hermits were created by Eitoku Kano (1543-90) of the Kano school. Admission: ¥500

It's finally dinner time!! AG's starved and tired look changed immediately when food arrived, haha. There are many restaurants at the underground mall of Kyoto Station and Bus Terminal which can cater to your budget. Food is good here, a bowl of ramen at ¥680.