Japan Day 3 & 4 Kyoto

Our hotel in Kyoto was amazingly small, but the price was right and it met our needs.  

Once again, we crashed early and woke even earlier (2 am I think!)  We used our morning hours to make a plan for the day.  It was going to rain all day so our first stop was for umbrellas at the local convenience store.   We then headed to Arashiyama.  We enjoyed the bamboo grove walk in the rain and the tenryu gardens were fantastic, even in the rain.  We caught a taxi to the Ryoin Zen garden and I remember when my parents and I went when I came with them.  

We then ate a local conbini (convenience store) lunch and went to the kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple.  It was beautiful.  We had a few minutes of panic when we weren't able to get our debit cards to get us more cash.  Luckily we found a bank and had some American cash to exchange (otherwise, we wouldn't make it home!)  (Later in the trip we were able to find a place to get our debit cards to work... the post office).    We were pretty much soaking wet at this point.  Luckily, it wasn't cold.  

We took a bus to the Nijo Castle (and saved our aching backs).  The Nijo castle was an amazing site.

We were so hungry we found a vending machine shop in the train station.  The Curry Udon was incredible!  How can train station good be that good?? 

Vending machines on every corner

Curry udon

Day 4 in Kyoto

Our plans worked out perfectly, even though we didn't plan it.  We were up early and went to the shrine right next to our hotel Fushimi Inari.  It is one of the most famous shrines and it was perfect to see all alone.  Only a few priests were on the premises and we enjoyed hiking through 1000s of Tori and getting a great view of the city.  

The weather cleared up and it was a great day to rent bikes and see more of the sites kyoto has to offer. 

Kiyomizudera Temple

One of the great things at this temple was un-photographable.  We paid 100Y to go into a 'womb' (totally dark and tight cavern) and venture through the birth canal to a magical stone before emerging with a new life at the end.  Very memorable. 

The balcony

View from the balcony

 This place was CROWDED!  Even though we followed the instructions to be amongst the first there.  I can't imagine it later in the day!  We realized that it wasn't really our scene and we found a secluded and shady spot to have a snack and enjoy the peace. 

Dave under an aquaduct system

The Nanzen'ji Temple and Gardens.  

We biked around several 'preserved' streets from ancient Japan.  We saw these geisha girls.  The Japanese were taking a picture of this because of how big Dave is.  Notice how the girls are on a step and are still a head and shoulders smaller?  We were giants there.  Dave hit his head on many roofs and doorways.

We had lunch at a convenience store.  Their apple juice is so yummy!  We love the rice balls.  

 Our final stop was the Ginkakuji (silver temple).  There was a beautiful garden, but this site was crowded.

We went to a yaku niku (a meat fry) place for dinner.   You start up a little grill right at your table and they bring a raw stack of meats and you grill and eat to your hearts content.  It was a good experience, but not great food.

On the bus ride home we saw some beautiful Japanese girls.  

Day 1 & 2 Hiroshima   Day 3 & 4 Kyoto  Day 5 & 6 Himeji & Takayama   Day 7 Tokyo