Toji-Surrounded By The Colourful Garden

Hello all!!
How are you?
My guiding job seems to slow down now.. this year maybe I can't expect many tourists from overseas because of the world financial crisis. But that's how it is.. I still believe more and more people are attracted by Japanese culture and WILL travel here..so meanwhile I will stroll around Kyoto and find more {off-the-beaten-track} spots I can show you.















[oh it feels so good...] say the sunbathing turtles on the rock.
This lovely garden is the one at Toji Temple which is near Kyoto Station and fairly accessible from my apartment!!!
I often come visit here for business and private.
Everytime I come here I find new things, and IT IS this garden this time.















Irises and azaleas.. Lovely color, aren't they?? Through May, they are in bloom. In Japan we have many gardens where you can enjoy these flowers. This garden is definately a nicest place to go with your loved ones.
All these flowers help the atmosphere of the garden be quite peaceful.















When I was about to head back to the entrance, a heron just landed by the pond!! Who could just leave there without taking a photo????!!!!
Yes, it made me so excited, but it's not rare that you encounter this kind of moment at parks or gardens in Kyoto. You can see another photo with a heron in my previous post.




















It's a renowned Goju-no-to(五重塔), a five storied pagoda, which is located on the ground of the temple.
Being a landmark or symbol of Kyoto city, it's been cherished by so many people. It is the highest wooden structure in Japan, about 55m.

To most of you, this temple may sound unfamiliar, but along with Goden Temple and Nijo Castle, it's been designated as UNESCO's World Heritage Site for its history of over 1200 years.
Toji Temple is so famous for its 3D Mandala, a group of Buddhist statues representing the "cosmos" of Buddhism. They are so overwhelming.
Pictures are not allowed, so I can't show you the photos of statues. But check the web site which I above gave the link to and see if they make you thrilled!!!