Uji… bless you
December 28, 2005
Uji is a sleepy town in Kyoto that is rather boring. The main attraction for us 1-day excursion warriors is Byodoin (Phoenix Hall), a UNESCO World Heritage site, built by the once powerful Fujiwara clan in the early 11th century. Byodoin was a Fujiwara residential hall was converted into a place of worship after Fujiwara no Minamoto passed away.
Today the Phoenix Hall sits in a small quiet park as an example of architecture withstanding the sands of time. For a structure that is supposedly over a 1000 years old, it looks remarkably well preserved. Admission into the park is 600yen and includes admission into the museum which holds examples of the 52 bodhisatvas worshipping the Amida buddha. To get into the Phoenix Hall itself will cost an additional 300 yen and you must join guided tours. Tours start every 15 minutes.
Byodoin
This was a nice place to visit but aside from Byodoin and a couple of other shrines (Ujigami Shrine is another UNESCO site but was not at all spectacular to behold), Uji is a rather boring city. If you can’t see yourself making the 40 minute trek from Osaka to Uji, just flip over a 10yen coin and you’ll see Byodoin. As suggested by Mike, you can definitely fit in Fushimi Inari Taisha and make it a more interesting trip.
Ujigami Shrine
Directions
From Kyobashi station, take the K-Limited Express Train on the Keihan line to Chushojima station (390 yen / 27 mins). From Chushojima, take the Keihan-Uji line to Uji station (14 mins). You can also reach Uji using the JR Nara line as well.
Happy Birthday, Jesus
December 25, 2005
And Happy Birthday to my baby too today!
I just crawled out of the abyss that has kept me from updating for a month. Have a fun and safe Christmas and I hope you get to spend it with your favorite people.
Now back to the abyss I go!
