Deidre’s Maiko Makeover, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Ghibli Store and Ryozen Kannon Temple

Deidre in Gion District for Maiko Makeover wearing the lower sandals for her walk-about. 

Monday, November 17th

Back view of a beautiful kimono.

Deidre had an appointment for a Maiko (pronounced my-ko) makeover in the Gion district today. She and Alan left here about 9 a.m. to take the subway from Nijo station to Higashiyama station. It was about a half-mile walk from there to Gion AYA where she met with three ladies who applied her make-up, and wig, and dressed her in the kimono robes. 

Deidre in the garden with the higher sandals. 

She said it took about an hour to get dressed. Then they took her out into the garden area for some professional pictures. After that she was able to walk around outside of Gion AYA for 30 minutes, and Alan was then able to take some more pictures and a video. 

Another picture from the garden of AYA House

When she was doing her walk-about outside of the portrait studio, two different sets of tourists came up to her and asked if they could take their picture with her! She was surprised by that!

Getting her make-up applied.

Adding the wig. 

Walking in the gardens of Yasaka Shrine. 

A Bride and Groom having their pictures taken in Yasaka Gardens. 

While Deidre was being made up, Alan took a hike up the hill above the Gion district to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple “Pure Water Temple”

“It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of World Heritage Sites. This temple is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside. The main hall, which together with the stage was built without the use of nails, houses the temple’s primary object of worship, a small statue of the eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon.”

Dragon statue on the grounds of the Temple.

Alan had only an hour to walk around the temple, but we hope to get back here on another day with Deidre.

The stage overlooking the hillside, famous for views in the Fall. 

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

After Deidre was cleaned up from her makeover, Alan and Deidre went to Yasaka Shrine to eat their lunch at Maruyama Park. From there they walked to the Ninenzaka Path (a streeet closed to cars) in the Gion district to find the Ghibli store. 

Totoro and Deidre outside the Ghibli Store. Totoro is a "forest spirit" and is considered the "Mickey Mouse" of Studio Ghibli.

Deidre enjoyed browsing in this store for souvenirs for her friends!

Ghibli Store front window.

From there, they traveled up the hill to see another Buddhist temple called Ryozen Kannon Temple. It has a large cement Buddha as a memorial to the unknown soldiers of WWII. 

Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy

Deidre in front of reflecting pond at Buddhist temple.

“This unique Buddhist temple, established in 1955, serves as a solemn memorial to those who lost their lives in the Pacific War. With its towering 24-meter concrete statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, overlooking the grounds, Ryozen Kannon offers visitors a profound space for reflection and contemplation.

Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy

Unlike many traditional Japanese temples, this site blends elements of Buddhist architecture with modern design, creating a distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart from other religious landmarks in Kyoto.”

Deidre in front of a wall of “emas.” Small fabric balls for wishes to be written on.

In the Gion District there is a small Buddhist temple, called Yasaka Koshin-do, that has “Kukurizaru,” small fabric balls that look like hanging monkeys, which are attached to garlands (LOL, I thought they were deflated balloons!). “This temple is dedicated to Koshin-San, a protective warrior who helps those struggling in their daily lives and punishes evil people. This temple also honors the ‘Sanzaru,’ or three wise monkeys.”

The Sanzaru, three wise monkeys, who hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil.