One of the more famous temples in Kyoto is Kiyomizu Temple, and it has a grand view of the city.

It is a hike up a hill to get to the temple, which is half the fun as the road is lined with shops. It was very hot in Kyoto (32C+humidity), so the ice cream shops were very busy with their special Japanese flavours.

And a few uniquely Japanese treats on a stick.

Our guide pointed out the woman in the hat (center near building in the hat). He said she has been standing there for 20 years and is a fraud. She chants nothing (he has leaned in many times) collecting gifts from tourists … he stops his clients.

I could pop a Wikipedia reference in, or post this simple explanation. Thanks Fujicolor.

It has a grand entrance and in 2007 was nominated as one of the “new” 7 wonders of the world.

Inside the temple are the oldest wood based paintings in Japan, depicting the Samurai.

And if you look across the forest, past the hydrangeas, you see a beautiful temple peaking out of the trees.

We hiked over.

A view of the Kiyomizu Temple from across the forest.

Thanks for dropping by.