I completely forgot to post an entry after yesterday’s mammoth effort visiting a number of different Zen Buddhist temples, as well as the Bamboo groves of Arashiyama. After dinner, I collapsed onto my bed and passed out (although that may have had something to do with the Sake I had with dinner 🥴).
Today we returned to Tokyo, and some last minute shopping / urban exploration before getting onto the plane and heading back home tomorrow.
Here is a photo of Kinkakuji, with its opulent gold-leafed exterior. Before this became a temple, it was the home of a retired shōgun. It certainly lacked the charm and humility of most Zen temples.
While this was the Bamboo grove we walked through in Arashiyama:
This is what I’m rewarding myself with now — cheese cream puffs!!! 🤤