Ao-momiji and other greenery at the Eikan-do Temple

Ao-momiji is young leaves of Japanese Maples which shines in the light of May

while Momiji is fiery red Maples in autumn.

Along the path leading to the temple gate

永観堂 EikandoTemple is one of the most breathtaking Momiji spots in Kyoto.

I took a stroll through ao-momiji and other greenery last year, which was fortunate.

What with drastic increase of inbound and with Golden Week holidays, April 29th to May 7th,

Kyoto's overtourism is returned to pre-Covid level this spring.

Overcrowded places and congested transportaion is really inconvenient for travelers

 and locals alike.

The sign reads "Eikando Temple noted for もみじ Momiji, Entrance to the halls"

Eikando's main halls are built alongside the base of the hillside and are connected 

by long wooden corridors and stairs.

A small garden surrounded by buildings in front of you on entering.

Exploring the halls starts by crossing this corridor.

All the long corridors and halls are one with nature.

This curving staircase, which leads to the smallest 開山堂 Kaizan-do Hall on the highest place,

is called 臥龍廊 Garyu-ro meaning "lying dragon corridor".

It made me feel like that I was purified climbing up and down through the Dragon.

 There is an outside stairway leading to the Kaizan-do Hall, too. 

Another outside steps.

At one corner in the temple's precinct, little green stars of Japanese Maples 

are shining through along this winding path.

Linked to Mosaic Monday