Lotus flower viewing early in the morning
Lotus flower viewing early in the morning
Getting up early in the morning sounds a perfect idea in heat summer.
One of the stuff to do something early in the morning is visiting temples to see beautiful lotus flower. In Japanese they are called Hasu.
As you know, Buddha statues are standing or sitting on the lotus flower so they are recognized as a flower in Buddhism.
Hokongo-in Temple (法金剛院), located in the Hanazono area in the Ukyo Ward, is famous for 80 kinds of Hasu blooming in the temple ground.
In July, this temple opens earlier than usual at 7 a.m. on certain days. (July 8th ~ 30th in 2017)
The lotus blooms earliy in the morning and fades at noon.
Here are other temples where you can see the lotus garden on the ground.
Tenryu-ji (天龍寺) in the Arashiyama area, ¥500
To-ji (東寺) close from Kyoto Station: You can see the flower after entering the temple gate (free), open at 5 a.m. Best place to take photos of lotus flower and 5-stage pagoda!
Mimuroto-ji (三室戸寺) in the Uji area (please see this page for the detail of Mimuroto-ji: http://www.greentour-kyoto.net/events/hydrangea-viewing/)
The pagoda of Toji Temple with lotus flower
