Breakfast at Kamuroan
Breakfast at Kamuroan, with the okami and her husband joining us for photos.
Kennin-ji
Then a walk to Kennin-ji, Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple (¥1,600 for two).
It has the famous Wind God and Thunder God screens, and a dry garden you can sit and look at.
The Dharma hall ceiling has two huge dragons painted on it, twisting around each other.
Gion
Out through Gion and down Hanamikoji, the old teahouse street. A Tully’s to keep going (¥540).
Ginkaku-ji
A bus up to Ginkaku-ji (¥460). On the way in, a bao from a stall (¥500).
Entry is ¥500 each, and like at Kinkaku-ji the ticket is a paper charm.
The first thing you see is the sand garden, with Kogetsudai, a flat-topped cone of sand.
The path goes up the hill through the maples, and it was the right week: red everywhere.
Onward to matcha crepes and dogs!
Information About Ginkaku-ji
The Silver Pavilion, a Zen temple at the north end of the Philosopher's Path, with a raked sand garden, a sand cone called Kogetsudai, and a moss garden up the hill. Entry ¥500.
PS: Late November is peak autumn colour, and peak crowds. Go early.