This post was written in 2008. Some information may be out of date.
Kotoin’s garden isn’t big, but it shows off everything that makes a cozy little Japanese garden what it is. The study and the rooms are lovely too, but I didn’t take separate photos of them. A 31mm lens just isn’t wide enough for that..
The well
A house with a yard, a garden and a well has a real charm to it.
The grave
Apparently it’s the grave of a ruler from long ago.
The autumn leaves are beautiful.
I didn’t make it to Arashiyama this year, but this makes up for it.
You sit on the veranda and take it all in.
If you ask at the entrance, they’ll bring you tea and a sweet for 400 yen. Sipping it while looking out at the garden is really atmospheric. (Not that I was the one who ordered it..)
Matcha
The sweet in its wrapper
What was inside
It’s more of a rice cake than a sweet… not too sweet, and soft.
On the way back
Kyoto has countless places worth visiting besides Daitokuji, but for some reason I have a feeling I’ll keep coming back here regularly..