The Ryokan we stayed at on Wednesday night looked out over Higashi Hongan-ji which is considered one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.  Established as a temple in 1321, Higashi Hongan-ji is also the name for the Buddhist Sect which is based there.  It means 'The Eastern Temple of the Original Vow' and is one of the dominant sub-sects of Shin Buddhism in Japan and abroad.

After visiting the temple, we jumped on a train and went to Arashiyama, about 20 minutes out of Kyoto Station.  

This morning we started with a wonderful breakfast at our Ryokan.  

Then we met some geisha along the way.  Actually, they looked too young to be geisha and they were probably apprentices called maiko ("dance child") or hangyoku  ("half-jewel"), meaning that they are paid half of the wage of a full geisha.

The Kiyomizu-dera Temple was founded in the early Heian period, around 798.  Its present buildings were constructed in 1633.  There is not a single nail used in the entire structure.  

It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills.  Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water.

After leaving, we saw some road work fencing we thought you'd like Meggy.  We also saw another lucky dog going for a 'stand'.  I don't think Ella could stay still this long.

Later that afternoon, we went to visit Ginkaku-ji, which means "silver pavilion".

Ginkaku-ji was originally built to serve as a place of rest and solitude for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa who had inspired a new outpouring of traditional culture.  Having retired to the villa, it is said Yoshimasa sat in the pavilion, contemplating the calm and beauty of the gardens as the Ōnin War worsened and Kyoto was burned to the ground.

In addition to the temple's famous building, the property features wooded grounds covered with a variety of mosses. The Japanese garden was designed by the great landscape artist Sōami.  The sand garden of Ginkaku-ji has become particularly well known - the carefully formed pile of sand which is said to symbolise Mount Fuji is an essential element in the garden.

On our first day in Kyoto we visited Kinkaku-ji - the Golden Pavilion.  It floats like an apparition over the surrounding pond.  

Originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshi-mitsu.  It was burnt down in 1950 by an obsessed monk and reconstructed shortly after.  
It is covered in gold leaf and features a phoenix on the top of the roof.  It is considered the second most famous sight in Japan after Mt Fuji. Even dogs come to see it !

We then visited Ryoan-ji, most famous for its rock garden.  The garden was arranged some time between 1333 - 1576.   It is called a hira-niwa, a flat garden void of hills or ponds.  It is said to reveal the simplicity and harmony of Zen meditation.

Later on we visited the Kyoto Imperial Palace.  Then we went out for dinner.