Kyoto & Nara: May 17

Today was day two with our own personal drivers and tour guides around Kyoto. We've decided that this is the one and only way to travel where you get private tours, are dropped off and picked up right at the entrance and they patiently wait while you shop as long as you want. We were quite spoiled in Kyoto.

For day two we left early in the morning for Nara which is about 100 years older than Kyoto. We started our morning at the Joruriji Temple.


We then made our way to the Todaiji Temple where we first walked through a park with wild deer wandering around. I think it was a natural preserve and we spent a couple minutes feeding them. You had to be careful though. Once you ran out of food they started following you around and would try to nibble on your shirt.


Now about Todaiji Temple - this structure is the largest all wooden building in the world and also houses the largest bronze gilded statue of buddha. It was quite impressive. While walking around the grounds we saw the cutest school children on field trips. Each class has a different color hat - what a great idea for keeping track of the children and they looked so adorable.



Our taxi drivers then recommended a delicious place for lunch. We took pictures outside so that we'd know where to find it when we return because the food was so good. Here's what my plate looked like.


After lunch our next stop was Kiyomizu Temple which also included a shrine known as the love shrine. Here it is believed that if you can walk from one stone to another housed on the property of the shrine you will be blessed with love. We also learned about Shinto prayers and our taxi drivers aka private tour guides walked us through the rituals. It was a great learning experience.


We met some college students while we were there as well who were spending the day dressed up out on the town. Hopefully we'll find an excuse this year to wear the Yucatas (summer kimonos) we're bringing home with us.


There was also an old cemetery by the temple that crept up the entire hillside. It was amazing how large the cemetery was and how many stones lined the hillside. This is common across Japan and we've seen numerous cemeteries in local towns, but none as large as this one.

Kyoto: May 16

We started our morning taking a 14 minute Shinkasen train from Osaka to Kyoto. After checking into the hotel we were greeted by drivers who my grandma's friend's friend set-up for us. It was such a wonderful gift and so convenient having our own personal drivers all day. We wouldn't have been able to fit everything in otherwise.

Our first stop was the Golden Pavilion or Kinkakuji Temple. It is a 3 story building where the top 2 stories are gilded in gold leaf. It sits on a reflection pond and was absolutely beautiful.



We then went to the Nishiki Food Market and shopping center to pick up more gifts to take back home. We came across a crepe street car and couldn't resist. The crepes are so yummy and filled with fresh fruit, custard and whipped cream. Not necessarily healthy but something sweet does help balance all of the salty food we've been having.

Our next stop was the Sanjusangendo Temple. This is another Buddhist Temple that has 1001 gold leafed statues inside. Photos aren't allowed inside so here are some outside. The building was constructed in 1266 and remains in tact today. It was pretty amazing.




We then went to the Fushimi Inari Tashi Shrine. This is a shinto shrine where Tori gates span all the way up a hillside and it takes 2 hours to walk through all of them. We only went part way and it was so pretty. Just imagine an entire walkway lined with these gates.



Our drivers then took us around the Gion District of Kyoto and explained the history of the city. The Gion District is where the Gaikos (also known as Geishas) and Maikos live, practice and work in the local tea houses. We later went to dinner on the Pontocho Street, known for it's high-end tea houses, and we spoted a few Gaikos entertaining some businessmen. Here is a photo of the lantern lit street where we ate dinner.


Our drivers made reservations for us since the tea houses restrict access to who can eat there and it was a really nice traditional japanese meal. Included in the meanl was tempura fish - whole fish fried in batter. I ate one whole one and then could only handle eating the bottom halves for the rest. Something about eating a fish head with eyes just didn't sit well with me, but it was surprisingly tasty if you could get over the mind block of what you were eating.

Osaka & Kyoto: May 15

We started our morning traveling by train and metro to the Aoi Festival in Kyoto. The festival occues only once a year and involves a procession through the Imperial Palace.




After the festival we took the subway and then a street car to the Tenryuji Temple on the western part of the city. The temple is known for it's amazing mural that depicts a dragon coming out of the inside ceiling of the temple. We couldn't take pictures inside though so you'll have to use your imagination.


We spent a good portion of the afternoon shopping in the outdoor markets. We found all sorts of souveniers and traditional Japanese items to bring back home with us.


Once we returned to Osaka we went back to Dutonbori Street for tacoyaki. Taco means octopus in Japanese and yaki refers to anything grilled so tacoyaki is octopus cook on a grill and in this case they were like savory donuts filled with octopus. I have now deemed the tacoyuki, but atleast I tried one. The flavor was good, but I couldn't handle the chewy, crunchy texture nor the sight of tenticles.




Here's a picture of our entire group including Yuca, the daughter of a friend of my grandma's friend. It was so much fun spending the past two days with her and she was an awesome tourguide. She is from Osaka and is currently studying at cosmetology school and spent the weekend with us. Hopefully, she'll come visit us in America some time.