An amazing full, sunny and warm day of sightseeing the highlights of Kyoto. This former capitol of Japan was home to the shogunate till Tokyo became the capitol in the mid-1800's. Today it boasts a population of over one million and is quite cosmopolitan.
OMG! The sakuras are out in full bloom and are jaw-droppingly gorgeous! All of Kyoto is out with their cameras. We visited several World Heritage sites today, starting with the huge Kiyomizu Temple complex, high above the city, dating from the 700's. It was like its own city from shogun times, now dotted with shops, gardens, tea rooms, waterfalls, etc., with very festive atmosphere!
Next, the more contemplative Sanjyusangendo Buddhist Temple, which housed 1001 life-size gold leaf-covered wooden buddhas (no pics allowed inside). Our third temple complex was a knock-out! The 1000 sakura-laden Nijyo Castle (last of the shogun's residence in Kyoto) included gardens, castle and palace. After a gourmet lunch at the French restaurant on the Kyoto University campus we continued our "temple and trees" quest, now to the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), another unique garden and pagoda complex. Trees alone were so stunning we promised ourselves to come back tonight for the special Illumination. One bonus stop at the end of the tour was to another shrine full of exquisite trees, a temple and a park with stalls of food and souvenirs and of picnickers, bar-b-queing. What a festive week this is for the Japanese! And to think it will be over in a few more days when the winds blow, the bees come, and the rains fall. We were SO lucky to have this perfect timing!
Pics 1-3: temples
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