Sanjusangendo, officially called Rengeō-in, is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto. The temple’s main hall is famous for housing 1,001 statues of Senju Kannon (1,000-armed Kannon), the goddess of mercy. Taira no Kiyamori built the temple in 1164 as a retirement palace for Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Years later, the structure burned down but was reconstructed in 1266. The name Sanjusangendo translates to “a hall with 33 spaces between columns'' and refers to the number of intervals between the temple’s support columns.
The focal point of the temple is its main hall. The impressive one-story building measures 120 meters long, making it the longest wooden structure in Japan. The main hall’s humble architectural style is characterized by its woodwork and slanted roof of wooden shingles. Despite its lack of outward ornateness, the hall’s sheer size commands respect from visitors and exudes a ubiquitous air of sacredness. Apart from the main hall, the grounds are also home to tranquil gardens, temple structures painted in brilliant vermillion, and an annual archery festival called Toshiya Matsuri, where thousands of participants come to test their bow skills and endurance.
Witness the 1,001 Senju Kannon Statues
Inside the main hall, walk among hundreds of golden, human-sized statues of Senju Kannon. The ornately carved statues stand in elegance with two of their 1,000 arms positioned in prayer and their serene faces deep in meditation. Atop their heads sprout additional smaller heads, which, along with goddess’ 1,000 arms, help her better fight human suffering.
In the center of the hall sits a large statue of Kannon, who is positioned similarly in prayer with her multitude of arms fanned out behind her. The 12th and 13th-century statues are carved from Japanese cypress and lacquered with gold leaf, and the large Kannon statue, in particular, is considered a National Treasure. The 1,000 smaller statues are situated on both sides of the seated goddess in ten rows of 50. In front of the first row of Kannon statues, stand 28 additional sculptures of Buddhist guardian deities, many of whom, in contrast to the meditative statues, are poised in protective stances.
The visual of hundreds of golden statues against the wooden hall’s muted walls is a truly awe-inspiring sight. Visitors cannot help but be comforted by the overwhelming sight of the serene goddess of mercy.
Admission to Sanjusangendo costs 600 JPY for adults, 400 JPY for junior/senior high school students, and 300 JPY for children.
Sanjusangendo is about a 7-minute walk from Shichijo Station, and a 20-minute walk from Kyoto Station. For easy access, visitors can take a 10-minute bus ride via buses 100, 206, or 208 from Kyoto Station to Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo mae bus stop, which is located directly next to the temple.
시조 카라스마의 호텔 닛코 프린세스 교토는 싱글 룸 (24㎡)부터 트윈 룸 (48㎡)까지 갖춘 넓적한 객실을 갖추고 있다. 호텔 스태프들은 트레이닝을 잘 받고 최고의 예절과 접대를 한다.
다이이치 아사히 라멘 (일본어 링크: http://www.honke-daiichiasahi.com/)은 교토역 근처에 있는 교토 스타일 라멘집이다. 이 식당은 평소보다 진한 쇼유 (소야)를 기반으로 한 국물로 잘 알려져 있다. 맛집이기 때문에 줄을 설 준비를 하셔야 할꺼다. 가격은 꽤 저렴하고, 이 집의 시그니쳐 라멘은 800엔 이다. 타카쿠라도리와 시오코지도리를 교차로 근처 교토역 북쪽으로 걸어오시면 5분 정도밖에 안 걸리고. 영업은 오전 5시부터 오전 2시까지 한다.
교토 시모교코에서 '긴조 라멘 쿠보타'에 대한 호평 리뷰를 읽은 후, 나는 이 정통적인 로컬 미소 전문 라멘 가게에 들러봐야겠다고 결심했다.
트라토리아 미노우라는 고다이지와 야사카 진자사당 근처에 있는 작은 식당이다. 평일 점심 세트(1500엔)는 합리적이고 맛도 좋았다. 그것은 작은 샐러드와 빵을 곁들인 주요 파스타 요리를 포함한다. 술과 후식은 별도이다.
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