We’re up and out early. A guide meets us in the lobby, and takes us out to a bus. We make a stop at another hotel and pick up a large group, and then begin our Kyoto sightseeing. We start off at Nijo Castle, built by a powerful Samurai leader. There are lots of interesting gardens and rooms to look at.
Check out the pink banner supports.
Nijo Castle gardens
The 2nd stop is a Shinto shrine. Our guide tries to explain the difference in Shintoism and Buddhism. According to her, Buddhism has one deity, and lots of texts and beliefs. Shintoism has no beliefs or texts, and many deities. Apparently, in the Shinto religion, if you need something, you find the deity you need, and pray accordingly. Large lanterns are everywhere in a Shinto Shrine, donated by individuals needing “extra help” with their problems.
Worshippers burning incense, leaving offerings, praying and ringing the bell, at the temple in the Shinto shrine.
Our final morning stop is the Golden Pavilion, a beautiful building and garden area. The pavilion itself is covered with gold leaf, and was built as a worship/rest area for one of the early emperors.
Lunch is a Japanese dinner. There are lots of vegetables and tempura fried shrimp and chicken. Although I’m not in love with the foods, yet, the flavors are good. I’m probably still going for a burger, a steak, or a pizza first.
Kyoto residents, dressed in traditional kimonos, going about their daily business
The afternoon involves traveling to Nara, a city that was the center of Japanese power and culture before Kyoto became prominent. The temples we visit today are in an area where deer wander everywhere. The Todai-ji Temple is the largest enclosure for a Buddhist statue in the world (according to our guide). It’s definitely huge, and we’ve seen some big temples since we’ve been in Asia. We finish up the tour at another Shinto temple. It contains over 2000 lanterns around the grounds.
Some of the Nara deer.
Lanterns everywhere
These are also lanterns, lined up everywhere
We are dropped back at our hotel after the hour trip back to Kyoto. There has been some talk about geishas (women entertainers) and their training. We get a hint about where and when to go see them. They seem to be elusive. They begin work at 9:00pm, so they’re arriving at the clubs between 8:30 and 9:00. Judy and I gather our energy (Courtney is too beat), and head to the Gion District, finding the street where the clubs are located. We arrive early, and feel like paparazzi lurking around with our cameras.
The main street for geishas in the Kyoto Gion district.
These two walked right by me (bumped into me, actually) while I was trying to spot some more coming down the street
