Kyoto Day 3

If you are following this blog, you will notice a big gap between this post and the one before. No, we didn’t drop off the earth for a while, and you haven’t missed anything. I will catch up – eventually! Thanks for your patience.

Biwa Canal Cruise

We began today with a cruise along Lake Biwa Canal to Lake Biwa (Japan’s largest lake). Lake Biwa Canal, constructed to supply water to Kyoto from Lake Biwa, was completed in 1890. It was a remarkable feat of engineering in its day, and was accomplished completely with Japanese engineering and technology. The cruise lasted about two hours, and took us through 4 tunnels and a lock, with lots of autumn-coloured scenery along the way.

Our “cruise boat” on the Biwa Canal

One of the tunnels on the Biwa Canal

The commentary was non-stop – and all in Japanese.

Making waves in a tunnel

We slowed down to admire this Grey Heron on the shore.

Video projected on the tunnel wall as we cruised along told the history of the canal

On the Biwa Canal – we travelled quite quickly and left a wake.

On Lake Biwa – we enjoyed watching the water birds running on the water as we approached.

Lake Biwa

On Lake Biwa – a paddle-steamer called the Michigan, of course !?

“Ko” means lake. Can’t resist a photo op.

Here’s a time lapse video of the lock closing.

BISHAMON-DO TEMPLE

Bishamon-dō Temple is famous for its autumn maple leaf displays. The gardens were just so lovely.

There were many stairs!

Bishamon-do Temple

Beautiful old painted screens

The garden

We almost crashed a wedding

The grounds – the autumn colours were at their very best

On the way back to the train station we walked along a section of the Lake Biwa Canal, and recognised some of the sights we had seen earlier from the boat.

Daigoji Temple

In the afternoon we visited Daigoji Temple which is a World Heritage Site. The five-storied pagoda is Kyoto’s oldest building, dating from 951 (although it appears to have been much restored over the years). The elegant former residence of the head priest, originally constructed in 1115 features lovely painted screens. In the gardens a small hall next to an arched bridge, surrounded by autumn leaves and reflected in a lake were just stunning – probably the most photographed spot on this site.