Kyoto - Day 3: part 1

Ooops, I forgot some day 2 photos. After a nap, we headed out to Gion for an evening walk. The bus ride was crazy. The driver jerked, and stopped, and jerked, and sped up. It was like bumper cars, only standing up in a bus. 

Click on images to see them larger.

A night view of Sanjusangen-do.

The streets of Gion were pretty empty. 2/3 of the stores were closed for the day, and the restaurants were pretty expensive. Important note, There were no food vendor stalls.

A neat old building that is now a museum.

The area is attractive, but the stores and restaurants were pretty expensive, probably not worth wandering again, unless we plan on taking in a show at one of the two theatres.

Day 3

We headed out to the Imperial Palace to find a good spot to watch the Kyoto Jidai Matsuri, a huge parade with people in elaborate costumes from various eras of Kyoto history.

It was a bright and hot day, by the time we left the parade we were burnt to a crisp.

After the parade, we took a bus to Ginkakuji Temple, the Silver Pavilion.

Stay tuned for Kyoto - Day 3: part 2.

Kyoto - Day 2

After a rough night trying to sleep on a rock hard bed with rock hard pillows, we embarked on a busy sight-seeing day.

Our first stop was the Kitano-tenmangu Shrine.

School girls among the monuments.

There were cow statues every where in this shrine, which is devoted to the god of thunder. The cow's significance? I don't know, but people rubbed them for good luck.

We brought Barbara Fritchie along with us, so she could see the sights.

Our next stop was the Hitano Shrine, which is well known for its cherry blossoms. Not being Spring, the trees were not in bloom, and it was less than impressive.

Although the Tori was lovely, 

And the roof of the main building was pretty cool.

We then toured the grounds of Kinkakuji Temple (The Golden Pavilion).

It really is covered in gold plate.

 Barbara was impressed.

Our last major tourism site of the day was Nijo Castle.

This castle was amazing. No photos were allowed inside the buildings, but take my word for it, it is worth seeing.

We had dinner in the mall, again, and watched Japanese TV until we were ready to sleep.

Stay tuned for Kyoto - Day 3.