Record the Sounds of Shisendō and Enkōji Temples | Sound Walk

What is a sound walk? Think of it as a walking meditation with a tech boost. Most of us move through Kyoto with our eyes on a map or a camera lens, which is fine, but it means we miss the actual character of the city. On a sound walk, we give our ears priority. I’ll hand you professional mics. Suddenly, you’ll hear the detail of the world around you: the rhythmic crunch of gravel or wind moving through a bamboo grove. We’ll explore Higashiyama, where Kyoto’s culture began. We’ll be in two temple gardens—the birds, the bamboo, and the sound of Enkōji’s water feature. You’ll leave with an audio postcard; a recording to take home with you. Years from now, you can listen and be transported back to a quiet morning in Kyoto. It’s a walk for the curious, the creative, and anyone who wants to just "be" in the city for a while. I have 2 full sets of microphones & recorders. Groups with more than 2 people will be sharing but this isn't an issue and can end up being very collaborative.

- We begin at the closest convenience store (please check the location section for the Google Maps link) - After saying hello and a quick briefing on how to use the recording gear, we’ll move toward Shisendō; a historical buddhist temple from the year 1641. We'll walk around the temple capturing all the sounds that interest us. The wind in the trees, the birds or the creaking floorboards of this utterly peaceful place. - We’ll then take a slow stroll over to Enkōji Temple with its stunning garden that hides a very distinctive water feature which produces a fascinating sound. Great to capture with the microphones!