kyuanji

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day. Since Satoshi has been working late, he hasn't had much time to check out the fall foliage.

Kyuanji, which we've been to several times was at noted at being at "migoro" (their best viewing time), so I asked him if he would like to go.

He was game, so we headed out.

When we arrived at Ikeda, we found out we had missed a bus and that we would have to wait about a half hour for the next one.

So instead of just hanging around the bus station, we went to Starbucks for a little chocolate and coffee...the chocolate was semi-sweet with crispies, almonds and citrus peel.

You could taste the crispies more than anything...meh! Plus, I was bummed that there were only 3 of these mounds...

After our mid-morning snack, we got the bus and reached the temple a little after 10:30. There was a lot of excitement as they were busily preparing for their Momiji Matsuri (festival of maple).

The maple trees were nice and red this year.
The maple trees that didn't have direct sunlight were yellow or green and gave a nice contrast to the red and orange ones.

There were quite a number of people, and they were even selling some food and fresh veggies.

There were many camellia (tsubaki) in full bloom too.
Then at about 11, they started the procession into the main hall.

The men in the front of the procession were yamabushi and blew horagai (conch). The sound reminded me of when parades start in Hawaii.

I took a little video which I'll put at the end of the post. It is taken a little far away from the procession (no one was allowed to go any closer), but you can hear the conch blowing and get an idea as to the size of the place.

It was such a beautiful day and the temperature was near 20C (68F).

Of course, while we were perspiring away, we came upon someone who had dressed like they were in Siberia or from somewhere fahreezing (the lady with the earmuffs!)...of course, after seeing her we were perspiring even more!

Oh well, it was still a beautiful day.