Our second day of sightseeing was even busier than the first. We started out by making the two-hour drive to Kyoto. Kyoto is inland and north of Izumi City and was colder. Our first stop was Rukuon-ji’ (The Golden Pavilion Temple). This temple was originally built in the 1220’s and improved in 1397 when Yoshimitsu, the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga, abdicated the throne and retreated to the villa. Upon his death it was made into a Zen temple and has been enjoyed by many for hundreds of years.
After leaving The Golden Pavilion Temple we enjoyed a traditional Japanese lunch at a local restaurant, and then were off to experience a tea ceremony and Classical Japanese Dance. Both Becky and I were under the impression that we would be watching others perform. Instead we were outfitted in Kimono’s and learned the dance. When the dance was over we watched the tea ceremony and prepared green tea.
From the tea ceremony, we continued on to the Ginkaku-ji’ Temple (The Silver Pavilion Temple). This temple was as humble in its appearance as the Golden Pavilion Temple is dramatic. It is nonetheless impressive with ornate rock gardens, waterfalls and manicured trees that were several hundred years old.
By the time we arrived back in Izumi City, it had been a long day of touring, but we were happy to see our host family. We spent several hours talking with them about their lives in Izumi City and our lives in Minnesota. We were even treated to a “magic show” by Mr. Arai.
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