Temples and gardens -Kyoto

20 April 2014

For the last few days we have been in Kyoto, first at Otsu and now at Hanazono. We have been touring temples and gardens. 

I won't bore you with all of the temples, or even all of the gardens, but in my view it is the gardens that are worth the visit. The temples and castles are very old,so they are worth seeing just for the antiquity of them, but the gardens are true woks of art, and awe. 

This could be the Vegan mascot! 

I needed drink after all of that walking!

I could go on and on with photos of beautiful gardens, but the other pleasure of this part of a Japan is the vegetarian ( =vegan in Japan, almost) resturaunts. Take a look at the meals we are getting...

Sake, served hot, is totally different to any sake we have had in Austealia. It is quite like a spirit, and quite flavourful! 

This is the skin from the surface of boiled soy milk, served in a broth.

All vegan! Some variations of tofu, and some wheat based, pickled vegies, boiled vegies, various sauces and dips, seaweed, miso soup. 

The vegetarian influence of the Budhist temples has resulted in resturaunts that only serve Shojin Rhyori -Budhist cuisine. Suits us!