This is an authorized translation in English of a post in French by @japon: Tofuku-ji : le point d’observation des érables

^{As my primary language is not English, there are probably some mistakes in my translation.}

Remember that the person that speaks here is NOT me, Vincent Celier (@vcelier), but @japon, a French guy.

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I continue my walk in the south of the Higashiyama district of Kyoto to arrive at Tofuku-ji, which is also one of the main Buddhist Zen temples in Japan. For those who like me are more interested in the beauty of the place than its history, know that it is a must see spot in the fall to admire the red foliage of the maples Momiji.

The attraction of this garden, is a large platform, a kind of bridge, which seems suspended above a valley of maples. Entirely built of wood, its architecture is quite comparable to what I saw in other Buddhist temples. Moreover it was built following the model of two temples located in Nara (half an hour from Kyoto): Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji. The name of this temple comes from the contraction of the name of the temples of Nara which inspired it.

In autumn the place becomes simply magical, it seems suspended above a red and orange cloud. For me, it was a little early to enjoy the colors, but the show is still sublime.

I still have the advantage of enjoying a place almost deserted. This is often the case in Kyoto, some places are packed with people while a few hundred meters from other temples just as beautiful are almost deserted. If like me you like travel a little off the beaten track, and youncan feel the tranquility of the place, the month of October is ideal. The temperatures are still mild and above all there is hardly anyone.

The visit continues with the large gardens, and some wooden passageways that allow you to go from one to the other. The Buddhist complex is composed of several buildings that follow one another, as well as beautiful Zen gardens with their white gravel.

I particularly love this image which alone evokes many things of Kyoto, its particular architecture and the atmosphere that one can feel there.

It would be preposterous to consider that the only asset of Tofuku-ji is its observation bridge. Just open your eyes to contemplate a beautiful garden and a beautiful walk along tree-lined avenues.

Although Tofuku-ji is not one of the must-see places in Kyoto, it's still a remarkable place, as there are so many in this city. How many times have I passed temples that seemed extraordinary to me. But rather than want to see a maximum, I preferred to limit myself and to take the time to immerse myself in places.

It is with all these images in mind that I return to the neighborhood of Gion for a less Zen activity but equally interesting: to eat sushi. My Japanese teacher advised me to go to a small restaurant, but they serves only for lunch and until 4 PM. As I am very gourmand and hungry for new experiences, this is something I could not miss!

-- @japon

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01: Travel diary in Japan, by @japon
02: Tokyo, overcrowded city? Really? by @japon
03: Are the Japanese too disciplined? by @japon
04: Going to Japan without speaking Japanese? by @japon
05: Ueno, more than just a big park in Tokyo, by @japon
06: Asakusa, diving in the heart of Tokyo's historic district, by @japon
07: Ameyoko, Ueno's colorful market, by @japon
08: Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world, by @japon
09: Climb the steps of Atago Jinja Shrine in Tokyo, by @japon
10: Hama Rikyu, an exceptional park in the heart of Tokyo, by @japon
11: Jimbocho, old books and tempura, by @japon
12: Shinjuku Gyoen Park and the best burger in the world!, by @japon
13: One night in Shibuya, by @japon
14: Takeshita dori : this little street dedicated to fashion (and good crepes), by @japon
15: They lie to you about Kyoto, by @japon
16: The temples and secret garden of Higashi in Kyoto, by @japon
17: Kinkaku-ji, the temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, by @japon
18: Ryoan-ji, the amazing stone garden in Kyoto, by @japon
19: The Ninna-ji Temple and its extraordinary gardens, by @japon
20: Kyoto Gyoen, the Imperial Palace Park, by @japon
21: Nishiki Market: A Must in Kyoto, by @japon
22: Ginkaku-ji, the temple of the silver pavilion in Kyoto, by @japon
23: Meditate on the path of philosophy, by @japon
24: Nanzen-ji, its impressive gate and two gardens, by @japon
25: Heian-jinju: the big shrine and its garden that I almost missed, by @japon
26: Eikan-do, the temple of the momiji maples in Kyoto, by @japon
27: Kodai-ji, a Kyoto temple dedicated to a woman's love for her husband, by @japon
28: Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, the streets of Higashiyama, by @japon
29: Kiyomizu-dera, the temple of pure water in Kyoto, by @japon