It was our second day. We visited some of Kyoto's popular shrines and temples, the district famous for ancient Japan's feel, passed a few museums as we walked towards some temple's location, and of course, enjoyed the colorful, breath-taking hue of red, green, orange and yellow autumn scenery.

Sanjusangendo Temple

Sanjusangendo is famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.  The name, which literally means "33 intervals", is derived from the number of intervals between the building's support columns, a traditional method of measuring the size of a building.

I was very curious about the papers that has something written onto them, tied around thin horizontal poles.

Higashiyama District

If you want to experience the traditional feel of old Kyoto - the narrow lanes, wooden buildings,  traditional merchant shops and all - you've got to visit Higashiyama. It is one of the Kyoto's best preserved historic districts.

The Higashiyama streets are lined by small shops that sell local specialties such as pots, sweets, pickles, crafts and other souvenirs. You can also find cafes and restaurants that retain Kyoto' traditional design.

We passed Higashiyama District on our way to  Kiyomizudera temple.

Kiyomizudera literally means "Pure Water Temple". It was founded on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills; hence, the name derived from the fall's pure waters.

The waters are divided into three separate streams. The visitors can drink from them using cups attached to long poles. Each stream's water is said to have different benefits like life's longevity, success at school and a fortunate love life. Don't drink from all the three streams or you will be considered greedy.

And the best part for me? Beholding the grand view of the numerous colorful trees painted on the hills and mountains, and the overlooking city of Kyoto in the distance.

A giant gate called torii marks the approach to the shrine. They say it's the largest shrine gate in Japan. Upon entering and a few steps, you can see the Museum of Modern Art and Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art. We didn't enter the museums.

Heian is the former name of Kyoto.

Heian Shrine is dedicated to the spirits of the first and last emperors who reigned from the city. It was built during the 1100th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto.

The orange, green, and white buildings are the shrine's main buildings and are a partial replica of the original Imperial Palace from the Heian Period.

At the back of the main buildings, there is an exquisite garden with a wide variety of plants, ponds and trees. This garden is very famous for its weeping cherry trees in spring, irises and water lilies in the summer, and changing maple leaves in autumn.

Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion is a Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in thin sheets of gold. This temple was the retirement villa of a shogun (military commander).

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) is also a Zen temple modeled after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion).

I noticed it's not covered in silver.

Despite its name, the Silver Pavilion was never covered in silver. Instead, it is believed that the name arose as a nickname more than a century after the building's construction to contrast it with the Golden Pavilion. Alternatively, it is explained that moon light reflecting on the building's dark exterior (which used to be covered in black lacquer in the past) gave it a silvery appearance. - JP

So, that explains it.

While touring the Ginkakuji, we passed other temple buildings and beautiful gardens. I was very curious about the expanse of  sand carefully spread on the ground. I thought there was a construction going on. But, it's actually a "dry sand garden".