Another shot from Zenpukuji Koen. I imagine these Japanese maples would look quite nice in the fall too.

Posted on July 9th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: japanese maple. Comments: None

I have been surprised by the quantity and quality of “hidden” temples right in or not far from Tokyo. You don’t have to go to Nikko or Kamakura to find yourself in one of these amazing places. The one pictured above, Kuhonbutsu Joshinji, is near the Jiyugaoka Station. Other nice temples in or near Tokyo that you probably won’t see in the typical guidebooks include Heirinji, Gokokuji, Dojoji/Sanpoji, and Senryuji.

Posted on June 22nd, 2010 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, japanese maple, temples. Comments: 1

Above is a different angle on the Sanmon. These Japanese Maples (momiji) must be even more incredible when they turn colors in the fall. However, I prefer a day like the one when we were there with no people.

I believe this figure is of Matsudaira Nobutsuna (松平信綱), the Daimyo responsible for the creation of this area hundreds of years before. He is made here to look like he is practicing Zen.

Posted on June 9th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: heirinji, japanese maple. Comments: None

The Butsuden (仏殿) at Heirinji is an original from the 17th Century. It is one of many structures at Heirinji with a thatched roof.

The above long row of stone lanterns (石燈籠) led to a graveyard of hundreds of large stone lanterns. Photos from there tomorrow as our week of Zen continues…

Posted on June 4th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: heirinji, japanese maple, lanterns, thatch roof. Comments: None

The highlight of the previously mentioned walk is Heirinji (平林寺), quite possibly the most wonderful place on earth.

I have been to other Zen temples before in China, Kyoto, and Kamakura. Zen temples are my favorite, but they lose a lot of their impact when they are crawling with people. Even though the weather was perfect, we visited Heirinji on a Friday, without anything in particular in bloom or changing color, which meant we shared the nearly 500 acres with about five retired Japanese couples and a few monks who live there. Needless to say, we rarely saw anyone as we explored the grounds in peace.

The top photo is of Hansobo (半僧坊). You can find this structure to the left after paying 500 yen (rather expensive but worth it) and entering through the first gate (built in the Edo Period).

Heirinji is loaded with Japanese Maple trees. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many. Combine them with bamboo and a blue-sky day for best results.

As always, you can click on these images for a much larger (and better) view.

I’ll add more photos from these Zen surroundings over the next week. Stay tuned…

Posted on June 3rd, 2010 under Japan. Tags: bamboo, buddhist, heirinji, japanese maple, temples. Comments: None