Garden of Fine Arts
Again, a Japan trip for an architect is not complete without a Tadao Ando-architecture visit.
For our today’s first stop, we went to Garden of Fine Arts in Kyoto.
Garden of Fine Arts Museum is an open-air fine arts museum that houses reproduced famous masterpieces on beautiful porcelain panels.
The structure has massive elements with overlapping beams and bridges that gives depth to the spaces. As a Tadao Ando trademark, he fully utilised the natural lighting and matched it with bare concrete finish. He also added water features and glass railings to soften up the structure’s ambience.
It was strategically located below ground level to preserve the view of the nearby Botanical Garden.
A porcelain reproduced of “The Last Judgement” by Michelangelo. Me for scale
A porcelain reproduced of “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci
After our trip, we had our lunch in an okonomi-yaki place where the staff let us cook our own okonomiyaki–a Japanese pancake with a variety of ingredients. It is a must try when visiting Japan. Too bad, I forgot the name of the place where we ate. Anyway, you can find Okonomiyaki restaurant/stalls almost everywhere.
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
From Kyoto Station, we took a bus and it took us around 30 to 40 minutes to reach the Golden Pavilion.
Entrance
Kinkakuji is a Zen Temple located in Kyoto, Kita Ward, Kinkakujicho formerly known as Rokuonji—a retirement villa of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The Golden Pavilion is one of the most iconic temples in Kyoto.
You have to prepare ¥400 per person for the admission fee.
Golden Pavilion Ticket
Each floor incorporates different styles of architecture: 1st floor known as The Chamber of Dharma Waters in Shinden-zukuri style – which has a symmetrical elements and undeveloped spaces—designed to have open spaces adjacent to verandas and uses all natural materials to make it blend with its environment. 2nd Floor known as The Tower of Sound Waves is in Buke-zukuri style—which style of houses built for military families—which also houses a Buddha Hall and a shrine dedicated to Kannon (Goddes of Mercy). 3rd Floor known as Cupola of the Ultimate is in Zenshū-butsuden-zukuri or simply as Zen where it depicts more religious atmosphere.
The Golden Pavilion
The Golden Pavilion is much remembered with its gold leaf plating covering both 2nd and 3rd floors’ exterior walls and topped with a Phoenix.
The trees, the lake and all the natural elements in the surrounding complete the picturesque view of the the majestic Golden Pavilion.
Tourist wearing Kimono walking around
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
We reached Arashiyama bamboo grove nearing sunset, we weren’t able to stay longer since it starting to get dark. But a short walk around felt like we were in a different side of Japan. The vast expanse of greeneries is too serene and definitely not to miss out.
Some other places we get to pass by around Arashiyama District on our way back to our apartment.
Some Japanese street food we ate outside the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama District River
Commercial Strip in Arashiyama District
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