Kyoto

Finally - after a year and a half of living in Japan - we made it down to Kyoto! This was the top of my to-see list after moving here, and I am so thankful that James was able to be there to experience its ancient beauty with me! Kyoto was the capital of Japan for years before it was moved to Tokyo. Because of its history and all of the ancient temples and castles in the area, the U.S. decided to spare the city during our bombing raids in WWII - so this is one of the few cities in the area where you can see original structures as opposed to replicas of ancient temples and palaces. Unfortunately, we missed the peak of fall color by about two weeks... but some of the maple trees had started to turn red so I was satisfied with how my pictures turned out.

Generally - I'd say my impression of the city was mixed. All of the tourist sites are stunning, but the city itself is not much to look at and really difficult to get around in. Because it's so much older than Tokyo, it doesn't have the convenient commuter infrastructure. We had to get used to traveling on packed city buses instead of hopping on and off of the subway. Also, we found that the city was much less foreigner-friendly than we anticipated. There were not nearly as many international restaurants as I anticipated there would be in a city frequented by sooo many tourists. But then again, I think James was right when he pointed out most people coming to Kyoto want the full Japanese experience. We are unique in that we were there on vacation and eager to escape Japanese food for a while. ;^)

We stayed in Kyoto for two nights at the Hotel Sunroute Kyoto - a Japanese business hotel with surprisingly comfortable beds. This was a must for us because by this time in the trip we were extremely sore and worn out. But I didn't let the pain stop me from getting out there and seeing the sights I'd been wanting to see for so long. We packed 'em in over the course of a day and a half. Here are the highlights:

Toji Temple

Home to Japan's tallest wooden pagoda

Yasaka Shrine

One of the most famous shrines in Kyoto

Located on the Eastern end of the main drag in Gion

Peeking out onto the main street in the Gion District

Gion

Kyoto's most famous restaurant and entertainment area

Home to old wooden tea houses where Geisha's perform!

We caught a glimpse of some real geisha and maiko (apprentices) entertaining through the back windows of a restaurant

We had dinner at the same restaurant both nights we were in Kyoto because it was SOOO good. It was an italian restaurant in Gion called Scorpione. I highly recommend it!

Kinkakuji Temple (The Golden Pavilion)

The top two stories of this temple are completely covered in real gold leaf!

Nijo Castle

Home of a very paranoid shogun (feudal lord).

He installed "nightingale floors"throughout the palace that would chirp

whenever you step on them to warn him of intruders.

He also had 1,000 Samurai warriors to guard his palace, as well

as personal body guards hidden behind secret panels in each room.

Cool traditional Japanese garden.

More beautiful fall foliage

We saw a lot of women out in their Yukata (summer-weight kimono)

Fushimi Inari Shrine (1,000's of Torii Gates)

This famous shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice.

Families and businesses have dedicated the gates that wind

along pathways all the way up the sacred mountain.

It's quite an experience and lends itself to stunning photos.

WARNING: BRING BUG SPRAY!!!

This was a fitting end to our time in Kyoto. There were other things we would have liked to seen but by then I was bug bitten and blister-footed and ready to go home and relax. We spent one more night at the New Sanno in Tokyo before heading home to Misawa. On the train back to Tokyo, we caught a glimpse of Mt. Fuji out the window. I didn't get a good picture of it, but rest assured - it is a big mountain.