kickin' it in kyoto

So, I've spent the past couple of days in Kyoto - Japan's cultural capital. It is awesome. It's the Japan of my dreams - with small back alleys, geisha, and more than enough temples and shrines (something like 2000).

I arrived late Saturday night after work - about 11:15pm. I exited the ginormous train station on the wrong side so I just decided to hail a taxi to my guest house (Budget Inn). Once in the taxi, we (the taxi driver and I) figured out he didn't know where my place was so he promptly dropped me off at the police station. So, after struggling with all sorts of city maps (in Japanese) with two very sweet Japanese-only policemen, one of them thought he knew where it was so he walked me there. Very cute. Since I arrived so late, my guest house left the key for me in the mailbox. So, I let myself into the pitch black co-ed room - where 3 or 4 sleeping travelers were and found my bunk.

Anyway, on Sunday, I woke up pretty early to make it in time to my full-day Kyoto bus tour. We visited 8 major Kyoto sites and had a buffet lunch in the middle. It was definitely a nice introduction to the city. Our English-speaking tour guides were so cute.

Our first stop was Nijo-jo (a castle), where I ran into Stephanie - it was a really odd coincidence. I knew she was going to be in Kyoto, but we weren't going to meet up until that evening for dinner since I had already reserved my bus tour. Anyway, I just walked around the corner and there she was. So, I will post our reenactment picture later.

I'm running out of minutes on my guest house computer, so I will have to finish this post later. In any case, Kyoto is great - I love it and have seen some amazing things - which I will post pics of later.

Hold on to your hats

hats? well, anyway, here starts my kyoto photos - there are lots...

also, i tried to add in links to all of the major places, in case my less-than-stellar info was not enough.

i had a great time, nevermind the lack of sleep due to bunking with four other ferners in creeky beds.

Nijo Castle - first stop on my all-day bus tour of Kyoto! Look at all these people - it was a crazy day for tourists.

outside of Nijo Castle 

Gardens behind Nijo Castle 

cute morning tour dude! 

tour dude took my pic - i don't know why i posed like this?? 

So, I'm just strolling through the gardens at the Nijo Castle, when who should I run into - Stephanie. Well, we didn't really plan on being in Kyoto at the time, but shortly before I left we found out we would be. But, since I had the pre-scheduled bus tour, I couldn't meet with her until later this evening. So, it was sort of strange to end up at the same castle at the same time - you don't know how many castles, temples, and/or shrines there are in kyoto. the chances of this happening are 1/4000 or something. anyway, we had to stage a reenactment, much to the delight of the older woman in the background. crazy ferners!! 

this shrine(Kitano Tenmangu) is known as the god of study. many people go to pray for success in passing a test. thus, clearly, the cow is the mascot for educational success?? and, many cow statues can be found all over the premises. this cow was not vandalized, but adorned with red baby bibs. allow me to make some of my information up.

before entering the shrine, you should wash your hands and mouth out 

kitano tenmangu - entrance 

traditional stone lanters outside of kitano tenmangu shrine 

there is an entire ceremony here - you clap twice, then bow, then clap again, then do the hokey pokey - i can't remember. but, first you throw some coins in the wooden slats over the rail. then pray, then swing the rope around.  

Kinkakuji Temple - aka the Golden Pavilion. Yep, that's real gold leaf

closer view of the golden pavillion. 

i don't know what this sign says, but we can pretend it's something philisophical and deep. it probably says - "water contaminated, don't get too close." but, i liked the two changing leaves on the left side. 

from my bus window - this must be a shrine for mice? 

heian shrine

heian shrine entrance 

heian shrine grounds 

so, you shake these metal cans around until a stick with a number pops out. you take the number over to the booth, where you are handed your fortune. traditionally, if the fortune is good, you should take it home with you. you are only supposed to tie it onto one of these trees if it is bad and you want to leave it behind you. our tour guide said many young people don't know the tradition, so now they tie all of their fortunes here - it's quite trendy.

my constant view of my afternoon tour guides rear. he was so sweet, though. 

heian shrine garden 

stepping stones 

the one water lily in bloom - heian shrine garden pond 

i-yi-yi-yi-i'm not your steppin' stone. (for all you monkeys fans) 

more of heian shrine