Kyoto has so many great temples and they are very beautiful. But the problem is that it will cost a lot to enter (Usually you want to visit at least 3~5 temples ) like many of the sights around the world. Plus there will be many people.
I have not been to Kyoto for a long time and I avoid going there because of it. I like Nara better than Kyoto. Nara is quiet and spacious. But this time, I found Kyoto is not bad at all after all.
I visited ” Higashi-Honganji ” & “Nishi-Honganji “ close to Kyoto station. Both temples are active temple where locals go. Of course, it’s free!! My family belong to ” Higashi-Honganji” . When my grandparents passed away, each time, my family took cremains to this temple. We keep a part of cremains in tomb close to our home and some of the cremains to the main temple. I have never had a chance to visit this temple before and it was my first time this time.
I am not sure because it was weekday ( Nov 10, 2011) or not, there were not so many people there and it was very peaceful. I like the smell of incense. I think this is a good place to see real Japanese worship. This is not a sightseeing spot. People come here to pray and talk to thier ancestors.
Higashi-Honganji
Nishi-Hongaji
