Trip to Uji

24 September 2011

Another glorious day. We set off on the Keihan Line for the ancient city of Uji which lies about 10 miles south of Kyoto. Uji is famous for its green tea, abundantly obvious from the many tea purveyors and tea rooms selling tea and (mostly green looking) sweets. One tea shop is at least 350 years old, but the line was too long for to sit for tea. We crossed over the Ugigawa River, flowing with a furious current which we imagined was due to the recent rains. The bridge was first built around 1000. It is still partly wood (see photo above). Our first stop was
Byodo-in, converted from a Heian era summer residence to a Buddhist temple in 1053, and now a Unesco World Heritage site. It is situatuated on a pond signifying the western ocean. It is quite graceful, with two large phoenixes on the roof and also large, golden Buddha inside, many wonderful carvings of Bodhisattvas, dancing, playing instruments, in prayer etc. The entire building is meant to resemble a phoenix and represent Amida's heavenly palace in the Pure Land. A museum has been built behind the temple to exhibit some of the most magnificent pieces.

After lunch we visited the oldest shrine in Japan, Ugigami-jinja, built in the 10th centery. The small islands and their connecting bridges, often thought of as the Bridge of Dreams from Tale of Genji, were all closed probably because of the raging river so we had to recross on the Uji bridge. The old shrine was very simple and peaceful. From there we went to the Tale of Genji Museum, as 10 or 15 chapters of Tale of Genji (Lady Murakami - see above print) are set in Uji. Quite interesting, and even with an English audio guide, amazingly enough. By then our feet have had enough and we make our way back to the train.

We miss everyone. Have met no American (or even native English-speaking) people yet...But we are soaking up as much Japanese ambiance as possible.

Love to all