Rich Time Created in a Wonderful Space: Ninna-ji Temple Tour

The author of 'I Want to Know More About the History of Ninna-ji' is a friend of mine. I was able to organize a special tour where she would act as our guide.

A special 'Ninna-ji' tour walking with friends

Kyoto is a city that makes me feel 'today is a bit special' no matter how many times I visit. This trip to Ninna-ji was truly one of those special occasions. It was a tour with 11 friends.

I knew she worked at Ninna-ji, but I didn't really understand the details of her job. However, seeing her professional work firsthand made this an incredibly moving tour.

I am so grateful and thrilled that she organized this tour for such a large group, with people coming from Tokyo, Kyushu, and even a pregnant friend!

To non-public areas

We were guided into buildings that are not open to the general public. These included the Five-Story Pagoda, the Sutra Repository (the building where sutras are kept), and the main deity in the Kondo Hall.

It was a tour filled with the thrill of stepping into places we weren't supposed to go, while feeling the envious gazes of the general tourists.

We received an explanation about very, very old books. It seems they contain information about headache medicine. If I may be so rude, they were displaying books with handwriting that looked like squiggly lines.

Normally, I would just walk past such exhibits in a museum, but the very person who deciphered those books and wrote the easy-to-read explanations for the public was explaining them to us. Right in front of our eyes!

This might be the first time I have ever looked at exhibits or listened to explanations so seriously.

Since she was responsible for everything from which pages of the books were open to the layout of the exhibits, I was able to view them from a different perspective than usual.

We were allowed to see plenty of Buddhist statues and murals that can never be seen under normal circumstances. I felt a presence like body heat that photos could never convey. The air inside the buildings had a different texture from the world outside.

To be honest, I don't have enough knowledge about Buddhist statues or temples, but being able to feel that atmosphere directly with my eyes and skin was a huge takeaway.

Quiet luxury spent amidst the autumn leaves

The autumn leaves in the temple grounds were just starting to turn. It wasn't a vividly burning red, but a soft, transitional gradation. This suits the scenery of Ninna-ji perfectly.

Walking with friends and sharing our feelings, saying things like 'That building was amazing,' is what makes being with close friends so wonderful.

It was a quiet, rich, and above all, fun autumn day. It was the kind of trip that makes me want to visit again in a different season.

Please, read this book

Photo book

Series: Rich time created from a wonderful space