Koryu-ji Temple

It was my first temple visit in Kyoto, Japan I'll never forget this place. I was in tears when I saw the giant Buddha wood statue, what an amazing experience very spiritual and moving.

I visited a temple to see the famous Miroku Bosatsu statue. As always in temples, photos were not allowed - no surprise. But surprisingly, viewing the statue with binocular was not allowed. Since I am short-sighted, I am used to carry a pair of binoculars with me. At no other buddhist temple in Japan this posed any problems. But here once I took out the binoculars, a guard ran by shouting "no scope". It was not a telescope, buddy, it was a pair of binoculars :). There was no sign that one could not use binoculars, so I could not be sure he was not making it all up just to be nasty to a foreigner. I found it very disturbing and discriminating against people with poor eyesight, and devoid of common sense. They do allow you to watch Bosatsu through the eyeglasses, so why not binoculars? I can imagine they forbid people to take pictures, so that they can make some money selling postcards, but binoculars? Give me a break. There were other issues in this temple, information was very poor, dates were not indicated on all but a few statues, and English translations were plainly wrong, referring to Bodhisattvas as Buddhas. Overall it's a pity. This temple owns a beautiful statue, a masterpiece, but they put some ill-educated guards to watch it (or were they monks?), and they don't allow you to see it clearly. Needless to say, I did not give them any extra money nor bought a postcard.

This is a beautiful temple made out of wood. It's an old temple and the wood used has stood the test of time giving it a lovely look with the grain exposed. There are several wooden structures here. The gate itself is quite imposing and beautiful. There's also a small fountain here with a dragon and a large bell.

Beautiful place peaceful one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in the country, dating back to the 7th century. The temple is renowned for its stunning architecture, intricate artwork, and deep spiritual significance.

This was a quiet island in a busy city. Sometimes as a 外国人、people treat you as troublesome. But in contrast, the people at this temple were really lovely. I arrived late, almost at closing, but they helped me get into the museum hall minutes before it closed and even allowed me to receive a goshuin right afterwards (waited for me after closing!). They didn't need to any of that for me- it was really nice. The old wooden Buddhist statues in the hall were beautiful. I am also a Buddhist, and I found some of them really moving.