Snow Day in Kyoto

It started Friday evening. Lots of snow. I’m not usually here in Kyoto in February, so I’m not used to it.

The temperature in Kyoto usually hovers around freezing at night, so it takes a cold spell to push the temperature down far enough to actually accumulate any snow. 

In the afternoon, the temperature was just above freezing so the snow was melting as it hit the ground. But overnight, the temperature dropped below freezing, and when I got up Saturday morning, there was lots of snow! I haven’t experienced this since growing up in New York‘s suburbs A long time ago.

My phone forecast said the snow would stop in about an hour, but it kept falling.

Finally, even though it was still snowing, I decided to go out for a little photo walk.

It was too late.

Lots of people walking around, less than typical mid-day Arashiyama but many, many people. I was happily surprised that my clothes were keeping me warm and dry. 

But I promised myself to get an early start the next morning.

Sunday, I was out the door at 6:30 AM headed for the bamboo path. There were a few people here and there. The rising sun started to poke through the bamboo, creating some nice warm highlights.

A quick walkthrough, then onto the Randen street car for a trip to Ryoanji Temple. I got there 15 minutes before they opened, but there were already a few folks in line to get in. I waited out the time nursing a hot can of coffee from a vending machine, and chatting with a woman who was raking the already clean entryway in front of the big doors of the main gate.

Finally she opened the doors, and went inside the ticket office to take our money.

As you walk into the temple grounds, you first encounter a large pond surrounded by beautiful foliage. But as the others paused to take in the view, I made a beeline for the stone garden. I was the first to enter.

After trading my shoes for some slippers inside, I quickly went to the Stone Garden, finding it completely covered with about 2 inches of snow. Completely white, yet enough to see the raked texture underneath.

I had my super wide zoom lens, wide enough to take in the entire garden in a single shot. I took a straight-on shot, then one at an angle.

I went to the corner where the stereotypical photo of the garden is taken – usually to avoid all the other visitors – but there was still no one else there. I made the lens as wide as possible and was able to get much of the hall in the shot as well, without anyone in sight.

Only moments later others started to come in; and while we politely moved out of each other’s shots, eventually people started to sit down to enjoy the Garden view, and the moment was over.

I too, sat down to admire the view and contemplate the meaning of the 15 stones.

Then back out to the pond, where the sun was now shining with blue skies; soon to melt most of the snow.