Quiet and Tranquil Kurodani Temple

Enjoy discovering details in this hilly modest temple

Larry Knipfing May 24, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>The early morning sun in early May hitting this beautiful stone just right</p>

<p>Climbing the stone steps to hall and temple bell (on the left)</p>

<p>The shadow of roof tiles on the side of a temple building</p>

<p>Entrance gate at the top of the stone steps</p>

<p>Small garden in front of one of the temple buildings</p>

<p>Long outdoor wooden corridor with a drum being stored at the end</p>

<p>More surprises under the long wooden corridor</p>

<p>Lotus pots; they will be in full bloom from mid-Jul to mid August</p>

I'm guessing that Kurodani Temple is not high on the 'Recommended List' of most guide books. That's fine - let's keep it that way. The temple is quiet and tranquil and is mostly visited by locals, and families visiting the graves of their loved ones in the cemetery that covers the hillside surrounding the temple. But I will visit Kurodani every time I visit Kyoto; it's one of my favorites (along with a similar but much wilder cemetery in Nagasaki). If you are looking for a place where you can be by yourself, but not alone, this is the place! No crowds, no lines, no fees. It doesn't try to impress you, and so is very impressive.

-Exploring the Kurodani Cemetery - 1

-Exploring the Kurodani Cemetery - 2

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...