Japan – Kyoto

Tokyo, Japan Day 90 (April 30)

We drive back to Tokyo. GeGe and JieJie drop us off in Tokyo central station, where we catch the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto.

Tokyo to Kyoto

by Bullet train, 180 mph

arriving at our hotel

Kyoto, Japan Day 91 (May 1)

We spend the day sightseeing in Kyoto. First we visit Nijo Castle, which is like a European castle with its walls and moats, but has Asian style buildings. The squeaky wood floor is especially cool; apparently designed to prevent sneaky Ninjas from ruining your lunch.

Nijo Castle

Wall & Moat

gravel grounds

door knob

Gateway

Castle

details

squeaky wood floor to prevent sneaky predator

but baby ted thinks he can get in without making noise

Next, we visit the Kiyomizu-Dera temple. The Japanese temples are kind of fun to visit, because each building within the temple has some kind of fun gimmick to play; drink special spring water, walk 18m straight between stones with your eyes closed to predict your ability to find love; shake for your fortune, and hang it in the wind, etc. We give a try for all the free stuff.

after walking up the hill with thousands of tourists and locals

passing numerous souvenir stores on both sides of the street

we’ve finally arrived Kiyomizu-Dera temple

front gate

one of many temple houses

washing hands and drinking special Spring/Holy water

Love temple

walk 18m straight between stones with your eyes closed to predict your ability to find love

Keep walking babe!

faithful prayer

Graceful Buddha

tie your wish here

another house

Today’s a field day for all

In the evening, we head to the Gion district and spot Geishas heading to their tea houses for work in the back alleys. The book said you could find them here in the early evening, and we feel kind of stupid, but it was fun.

arriving Gion district

no shortage of restaurants and bars

How about Shibu Shibu for dinner

after checking out the price, we decided to eat vending machine dinner instead, yuk!

Geisha heading to work in a tea house

KR taking pic outside nearby restaurant

Street snack

After dinner, we take a look nearby at the 24 hour Yasaka-Jinja shrine; popular with young people for an evening stroll; convenient since Gion has a sizable bar district.

Front Gate

Lights up in the evening

CLICK HERE to see more pictures from Nijo Castle.
CLICK HERE to see more pictures from Kiyomizu-Dera temple.
CLICK HERE to see more pictures from Gion district.
CLICK HERE to see random pictures of Kyoto.