It's Kyoto Time!

We took the Shinkansen, or bullet train up to Kyoto at 193 km per hour. So fast!





These are the sculptured and raked gardens in the Ginakuji (Silver) Temple, with the temple in the backgroud.



There are 15 stones at the rock garden in the Ryoanji Temple. All perfectly manicured and raked. Said to be one of the great wonders of the world. Hmmmm. I'm not sure about that but dad, the crazy American, almost fell in taking a picture. That would have been good!

This is one of the Shishi dogs guarding the gate of every Shrine. The one with a closed mouth captures the bad spirits from entering the area.

Kyoto is the capitol of Japan and has over 50 shrines and temples to visit. As well as a castle. Needless to say, by the end we were a little "templed out". The red shrine below is the Heian Shrine. And below is the incense pot to place before you make you prayer.




















By Far our most favorite shrine was the Kinkakuji (Golden) temple covered completely in God leaf. Wonderful! The silver palace was supposed to be covered in silver like the golden palace but the country stopped the money hemorrhaging by the rulers around the same time, so that was the end of that.



The red lanterns are all around and mean "cheap, good food". Find a lantern, find a deal.


This was our last day (a Saturday so look at all the people! We hit up the last temple, Kiyomizu, which was set on the slope of a hill. Very beautiful. Most beautiful time of the year in fact (according to my Japanese assistant)


Needless to say, we were not surprised that the god of love has a bunny as as assitant. If you were at our wedding, then you know we LOVE bunny rabbits.



Last day was the best because I got my kimono and mom got to see her coveted "Geisha Girls". Then we were off to Osaka, the second largest city to Tokyo. I can say it is a pretty city at night and I love that the Japanese love to throw back the beers, however.....



I cannot agree with the Japanese that this is a "fashion capitol" because I question many of these outfits that come out. Short shorts with knee high boots does not seen so appealing when it is 40 degrees outside. And there are just too many people! Below is just one example...