Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a "Zen temple" because of its' great importance and is located in northern Kyoto and is completely covered in gold leaf. When you go here, you walk through a heavily wooded area and it's not until you turn a corner that you get to see the pavilion. It makes a huge impression when you get that first glimpse. Of all the cities in Japan, I consider Kyoto to be the crown jewel of the country. There are MANY temples and pagodas that are as similarly spectacular to what you see here and is what the city is noted for. I am hot and cold when it comes to Japan. There are things that bother me, while I love the idea of the culture and the country itself is spectacular looking. I find the people cold in many ways. Of all the countries I have visited, Japan stands alone in this respect. A shame, but the way it is.

Have a great weekend!

Mark Lent

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Mark, Thanks for sharing the beauty of the temple image and history. You too have a great weekend.

Hereford Loc: Palm Coast, FL

I took beautiful pictures of this reflecting pagoda in 2002. It is one of the most sought after photo ops in Japan.

FactMan

I love this temple, so thank you for reminding me! Japan is a beautiful country, but you have to live there for some time and learn a bit of the language to really make progress in understanding them, and them understanding you. I have been married to my beautiful Japanese wife for 25 years, so I am a bit biased! We have been living in the US for most of that time, but I would love to go back...

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

I am sure there are nice people in Japan. We seemed to run into our share of those who were not so nice. I took my family to Hokkaido and when we landed at the airport, we went to get the rental car that we had reserved with Hertz and the woman refused to accept my International Driver's License because it was not issued by Triple-A (AAA), you know, the people who tow your car when you break down... Then, she went to EVERY other rental counter and told them my license was fake. Horrible. I also saw a significant number of signs that read "Foreigners not allowed" or "Foreigners not welcome". Was pretty surprising at the level of discrimination that happens. This was pretty consistent in Tokyo, Sapura, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Nagasaki. Loved visiting, but no desire to go back.

Mark

FactMan

I am sorry you had that experience. I would be certain to let Hertz know of your concerns. I don't know what the rules are for non-AAA IDLs but it sounds like your complaints are justified. I was only in Tokyo for 5 years: I found that during that time things had become easier for foreigners, but there were still gaps in the acceptance of them. I also found that my Japanese friends were often shocked when I was not allowed in some places, so I may have been shielded from some of the prejudice. I would hope that it would become better before the next Olympics! To put this in perspective, I was in South Africa in 1974 - then the no colored people allowed signs were all over the place. I was also told that white South Africans always had to ask the father's permission before dating a girl - to be 'caught' with a colored woman was a punishable offence. It is my hope that the situation has changed there too.
By the way, I found that Kobe was much more "international", but Osaka people were prejudiced - even toward Japanese who were not from that region. Prejudice is awful, wherever it occurs and however it is demonstrated. It is a lesson that many, many people around the world need to learn. Especially as the world changes and we need to work together to solve our challenges. Sorry for the soap-box speech, but I do feel passionate about this!

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Understandable. There were other examples as well, but you got the idea. I have to say that here in China, I have ran into very little of this kind of thing, and generally there is a high level of curiosity. I am asked pretty regularly to pose for photos and to friend people on "WeChat", which is the do-everything power app here in China. Amazing how a bit of water can make such a big difference in attitudes.

Mark Lent