The four seasons

The four seasons are clearly defined in Japan, and Kyoto is crowded with many tourist all the year round, especially in autumn and spring time.
Colored leaves in autumn, cherry blossom in spring time. We can enjoy to see them at many Shrines or Temples. I show just example photos which I visited and took.

Awata matsuri (Festival)

It is the festival of Awata jinja (Shrine) and held on Oct. every year. Some pike poles and portable shrine parade the street. This festival has been continued more than 1,000 years, and it is said that pike poles parade is the original of the Gion matsuri festival. The pole is 7 to 8m long and 40 to 60kg weight, and paraded standing and holding with ringing a bell by skilled person. Portable shrine follows their parade.

Ryoanji (Temple)

This temple is well known by the rock garden.  The garden is enclosed in three ways by earthen wall, and the area is about 2,500 square meters, 25m x 10m size, it's smaller than expectation.
There are 15 rocks in white sand, and they represent islands or animals in the water (sea).
How to feel and image this garden, is depending on people. it's no right answer.
When the garden was made, by whom, what intention,...... these are all unclear yet.

Nison-in (Temple)

This temple was originated between 834 and 848yr.  But all temples were destroyed by fire, then they were re-built between 1504 and 1521yr. 
It is fine view of the approach to a temple, especially in colored leaves season. ( Photo in summer time)

Nonomiya jinja (Shrine)

This shrine torii (gateway at the entrance)  is black color wooden made, it is remarkable.
This locate in famous sightseeing spot, Arashiyama, and there are always many yang visitors and they pray for good match and be blessed with a child in the future.

Myoshinji (Temple)

This was initially built in 1337 as Zen Buddhism temple.  There are 46 branch temples belong to this Myoshinji.  This temple is big and almost same size as Daitokuji.  You can take a bicycle in the temple site for looking arround.

Tenryuji (Temple)

Takauji Ashikaga, who is the first Shogun of Muromachi Shogunate, made this temple with Muso-Soseki who is Zen Buddhist monk in 1345.
This temple houses were lost by a fire 8 times so far, and re-built  in Meiji period.

The tempe is located at Arashiyama, kyoto (Famous sightseeing spot) and most of visitors are visiting this temple first.