Autumn in Kyoto
30th October 2007
Greetings from Kyoto, the temple capital of the world. There seems to be a shrine for every street, and at least half a dozen vending machines dispensing iced tea for every shrine.Kyoto is a beautiful city. A really beautiful city, and very different to Tokyo. While here we've visited the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. Sadly photographs weren't allowed so I can't show you any. Nijo Castle even went a step further and prohibited sketching as well.
I was in a music store looking for a couple of music CDs I've been looking for, and I was surprised to see two women dressed to full geisha attire (except without painted faces) browsing the J-pop section. Nothing's quite how you'll expect it. Except for tea flavoured ice-cream, I expected that to be awesome and it totally was.
Kiyomizu Temple, this place was absolutely packed!
Kinkaku-ji: the Golden Pavilion, this place was also absolutely packed! Spring and autumn are the two busy tourist seasons.
This photograph is of a rack upon which wishes and worries are placed at the shrines. Most appeared to be wishing for health and good fortune, but there were a few funny ones. There was one from a little boy wishing for a Spiderman mask, good wish. The one pictured is from the tv show Lucky Star. I can't make out what it says, hand-written kanji is practically impossible for me to fathom out. "Konata's place of something" maybe? Anyhow, it made me laugh as it seems so completely out of place.
This is where we're staying. A lovely little Ryokan that's really close to Kiyomizu-Dera temple. Well, more accurately it's somebody's house and they rent their upstairs room out.
The room looks nicer at night with the street light coming through the windows.
Todai-ji Temple, taken on our day trip to Nara. Nara is known for it's many tame deer.
The sun never sets in the land of the rising sun. It just rises in reverse.
Wow, Kyoto looks great. It's strange you tend to have two ideas of Japan, the high tech city side epitomised by Tokyo (I guess) and the more traditional side. Kyoto seems to fulfil this second side wonderfully.
Feeling very jealous now.
Posted by Dev.Stuart, 30th October 2007
What fabulous photos!Really capture the spirit of the place.Love those cute little lantern thingies too, cough, cough, hint, hint...hehe. Enjoy your last few days. Maarm.x
Posted by Catherine Johnstone, 30th October 2007
Louis .. ....you should write a travel book about your travels in Japan ... with pictures and some of your art work ..!
hope your flight back is more relaxing and peaceful than the last one! xxxxx urnan
Posted by Avrilgrounds, 30th October 2007
If I have one regret about my time in Japan it's that I didn't spend enough time in Kyoto. A really beautiful place with so much history. I hope you've been up the tower!
Posted by Craig E. Laycock, 18th November 2007