We were lucky to have Mayumi-san, the wonderful owner of GroLiving, treat us GroLivers to the perfect day in Arashiyama!
We started our day with what might be the best authentic Italian pizza around. Pizzeria Lugara uses a specially imported wood-fired oven from Italy and serves a variety of delicious, crispy pizzas.
We continued for coffee and a lazy stroll along the river.
Followed by a short visit to the nearby bamboo forest.
We then made our way to Adashino Nenbutsu-ji (化野念仏寺), a quiet and sombre temple with deep historical roots. Founded by the renowned monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) in the early 9th century, it gradually became a place to honour the souls of the departed. The temple grounds have long been a burial site for those without family. Scattered across the area are thousands of stone statues, known as 'nenbutsu' stones, each representing a soul left without loved ones to remember them.
We ended our day at my personal favourite temple, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji (愛宕念仏寺), a hidden gem nestled away from the more well-trodden paths of Kyoto. This unique temple houses over 1,200 stone statues of rakan (the disciples of Buddha) each with its own whimsical expression.
These figures were sculpted by amateur artists who gathered from all over Japan under the guidance of Kocho Nishimura (1915-2003), a renowned Buddhist statue sculptor and chief monk of the temple. The statues were created over a 10-year period during the 1980s. Nishimura encouraged his students to "reveal the figure hiding in the stone", resulting in a captivating array of rakan with diverse and expressive gestures.
I could spend hours exploring these rakan. With each visit, I discover something new hidden among the ranks of these joyful figures.
Arashiyama should be at the top of your list when exploring Kyoto. In addition to the places mentioned above, I highly recommend visiting the Monkey Park (just remember not to look the monkeys in the eyes!), and if you’re an art enthusiast, the Fukuda Art Museum offers an impressive collection of Japanese fine art that is definitely worth a look. With its hidden temples, scenic walks, and cozy cafes, Arashiyama has so much more to discover, providing something for everyone.
Thank you Mayumi-san for a wonderful day ！💕✨
コメント