Kyoto – Day Three

03 Friday Jun 2016

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Arashiyama, Bamboo Forest, Golden Pavilion, Hozu Gorge, Kyoto, Sagano Romantic Train

Today it was off to Arashiyama. We arrived at the Toroko Train Station where we were greeted by this friendly clan of tanuki’s. These “raccoon dogs,” more linked to wolves than dogs or raccoons, are a symbol of prosperity. (Look them up. They’re really cute.)

Here we boarded the Sagano Torokko Ressha or Romantic Train. This 25 minute train ride wanders along the Hozu River through a beautiful canyon.

Upon exiting the train we wandered through a dense bamboo forest.

During our free time we wandered through the streets of Arashiyama. This shrine has a thick carpet of moss

and here’s a typical street scene.

As we wandered down to the river

we found a great place for a delicious lunch

where we watched the activity out the window.

Since we had more time to kill before we met the bus we wandered upstream a ways to take in these truly Japanese sites.

And my personal favorite. . .

Ok, enough of that. Now it’s back on the bus which, by the way, is the prettiest bus on the road

and we’re off to the Golden Pavilion.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 1397 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu as his retirement villa.

The grounds behind the Pavilion were quite peaceful.

Now it’s time for the long bus ride home but before we go . . . a little green tea ice cream would taste good right about now.

. . . . . ciao!

Kyoto – Day Two

02 Thursday Jun 2016

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Gion, Kodaiji Temple, Kyoto

We started our day with another Japanese version of an American breakfast. Just like the one we had in Tokyo last weekend. Green salad, macaroni salad, yogurt, corn porridge, hard boiled egg, 1″ thick half slice of white toast, croissant, 2 slices of ham and one slice of barely cooked smoked bacon.

Then it was off to Kodaiji Temple.

This is a temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddism.

It was established in 1606 by Nene to pray for her late husband.

The principle image is a statue of Shaka, the young Buddha.

Yea, we now have four hours of free time so we just wandered the streets of Gion. Here are some of the sights from our wanderings.

At 1500 we met our guide and were taken to a Tea House where we sat on tatami mats and met a Maiko-san (Geisha in training) who served us tea, and explained her daily training and apprenticeship. She also performed a traditional dance.

We then had the opportunity to ask her all kinds of questions which she was very happy to answer with our guide doing the translating.

Once again we were on our own to get back to the hotel. Chris took me to one of his favorite spots in Kyoto which was very pretty and peaceful.

And more wanderings, just taking in the sights of the city.

And the end to another lovely day in Kyoto.

Kyoto – Day One

01 Wednesday Jun 2016

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Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto, Nijo Castle

Last weekend we took a trip to Kyoto. This was a six hour bus ride north of Iwakuni organized by the ITT folks on the base. Our first stop was Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of the oldest in Kyoto.

Inari is the Shinto god of rice and foxes are thought to be his messengers. Notice the key in the mouth of the foxes – the key to the rice granary. There are many fox statues found at this shrine. This was a large complex with a lot to see right here.

My favorite place was at the very back of the shrine’s main grounds where you find the entrance to the torii gate covered hiking trail.

This trail consists of over 10,000 torii gates.

Since early Japan, Inari was seen as the patron of business, and merchants and manufacturers have traditionally worshipped Inari. The torii gates along the entire trail are donations by individuals and companies and you will find the donator’s name and the date of the donation inscribed on the back of each gate.

Along the way we’d come upon a cluster of smaller shrines.

When we got to the pond we headed back. This is such a Japanese scene.

As we neared the main road we came upon these shrines

and one more collection of messenger foxes.

Then it was time for some sweet potato fries (with sugar sprinkled on instead of salt). Lots of street vendors along the way.

Here’s a guy preparing takoyaki (octopus balls)

and this man was making dragonflies and crickets out of bamboo – very delicate.

Check out this architecture. It looks like it’s made of giant popsicle sticks.

Back on the bus to our next stop – Nijo Castle.

We were guided through the complex of buildings but were prohibited from taking photos. But once outside again we had an opportunity to wander through the beautiful Japanese gardens.