The best time to view Kyoto is in the early morning – its tranquil and you avoid the crowds.

We went and sat in on the morning prayer chants at the Chion-in temple, Namu Amida Butsu (南無阿弥陀仏) – once inside (no photos inside), you can’t leave until they’re done – you might want to let this video buffer first.

An old JR “I got it, let’s go to Kyoto” commercial (そうだ、京都行こう) that features the Chion-in temple. These series of commercials have been on-going for about 15 years and still running.

Another JR “Let’s go to Kyoto” commercial remind me that I want to go to Kyoto for the foliage – you really want to use the early morning strategy then.

They vacuum the veranda (清水の舞台) at Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)? – I was envisioning something more traditional…