NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO2500)
After we wandered the temple grounds of the Nanzen-ji temple it was time to enter its main building. Time for more Kyoto magic!
We had to pay a small entry fee and change our shoes for slippers. It’s a common practice in Japan not only for museums but also for hotel rooms and restaurants. Top tip: Never get back to your table still wearing the dedicated toilet slippers!
I already wrote about the calmness when you enter the temple grounds in my previous blog post. The sensation of calm and relaxation gets to another level when you enter the building. It’s like all worries in the world have been left behind. It’s truly magical. Something that can’t be described but needs to be experienced.
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO1100)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO90)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO200)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/60 sec, ISO64)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/2.8, 1/50 sec, ISO8000)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO250)
People wander the halls or sit on the porch facing the stone garden. They either just sit there or quietly talk to each other. The fake shutter sound of my Nikon Z8 is already very quiet but I always put the camera into silent mode so that it doesn’t make any noise at all. I would hate to shoot a camera with a loud shutter or a DSLR in these temples. Nothing should disturb this silence.
There are numerous small gardens surrounded by covered boardwalks so that you can enjoy the gardens even during rainfall. But the rain has stopped already and the sun started to peek through the clouds. I tried my best but my pictures don’t do this place justice.
When I entered the temple I immediately switched to the Z 20mmF1.8 S. The perfect focal length to capture the place. Of course you can also take pictures with a standard zoom but in my opinion 24mm is not wide enough cover the scene. Another option would be a super wide angle zoom like the 14-30 or the 14-24. Since I meanwhile have sold my Nikon Z 20/1.8S I have to use my Nikon Z 14-24/2.8S next time. That lens gets even wider and offers more flexibility but I think that 20mm is the perfect focal length: it’s wide but it’s not crazy wide.
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO220)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/60 sec, ISO64)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO160)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO64)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/11, 1/50 sec, ISO640)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO200)
As you can see in my photos the places wasn’t busy at all. Almost like the first temple we visited in Kyoto. I guess we were just lucky but it could also have to do with the time of the day. Visits right after breakfast worked best.
Only after we visited the Nanzen-ji temple I learned about a brutal execution that took place here in the 16th century. Idhsikawa Goemon was a folk hero who stole gold and other valuables and gave it to the poor. A kind of Japanese Robin Hood if you like. It’s not clear if this is only a legend or something that really happened but if true his death was really cruel. According to the legend he was boiled alive together with his son. Maybe those grounds weren’t as peaceful in the past.
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO320)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/1.8, 1/50 sec, ISO110)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO1100)
But aware of that brutal legend we enjoyed the pinnacle of peace. I’m glad that I took an image of the “watch your head” sign. I should point out that if you are above 1,8m (or 6f) you should watch your head in a lot of temples or older restaurants. Unfortunately those signs seem to be extremely rare.
There is one more thing we have to visit before we get back to the centre of Kyoto. Another beautiful garden that belongs to the temple. But that’s another story.
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/2, 1/50 sec, ISO640)