Kyoto - West Japan Tour Part V

We arrived back from our Nara tour a little later than scheduled, but Rodney and I were well-
rested from the relaxing bus ride so we decided to venture out in the famous Gion district of Kyoto for a few hours in the evening. Markus stayed back at the ryokan with mom and Tita Jasmin.

KYOTO is definitely one of my favourite cities in all Japan. I find the city acquires the essence of a truly historic Japan, while it's downtown area bustles in a modern metropolis. Its' amazing attractions are endless both day and night. As a family, this was our second visit to Kyoto and surely, we captured more of the city's beauty this time around. (Click here to check out our first trip to Kyoto when Ritchie and Paul visited in 2006.)

A teahouse, known as an ochaya, located in Gion Corner (photo left)

The notorious Gion district of Kyoto was as vibrant as we expected. While the ohanami season in full effect, Kyoto is known to be a very popular tourist trap. We joined the crowds and gallivanted the streets, then stopped for a latte before heading back to the ryokan.

A maiko (geisha apprentice) hurries to her appointment at an ochaya. The current geisha quarters, ochaya and the theaters are still located exactly where they sprang up on each side of the Kamogawa River since the late 1500's. If you desire to you catch the action, you have to be quick with your camera. You'll never find maiko stopping for photos even if you ask politely. They can be rather swift on their wooden geta sandals. Moving quickly on the getas must be part of their intense training.

Looking up to the illuminated cherry blossom sky, off the main street in Kyoto. Magical!

Enjoying our date night in Kyoto

KIYOMIZU DERA

Located near the middle of the Otowa Mountains is the very popular Buddhist temple, Kiyomizu Dera. The temple originated in 780 AD, but the present buildings date from 1633.

The main entrance to the temple is known as the Nioumon gate (photo right)

The famous three-storied pagoda called the Sanjuunotou

Overlooking the lush cherry blossoms and bright scenery toward the main hall known as Kiyomizo no-butai.

Otowa-no-taki - Drinking from the three water channels that flow from the above, is said to bestow success, health and longevity. Unfortunately, the line-up was too long and we just weren't up to waiting.

The throngs of people crowding through the famous slope walkways near the streets of Kiyomizu Dera. The thriving streets are lined with several trinket and souvenir shops.

My little charmer making PEACE with some locals.

Collecting donations, the statuesque monk stands along side the narrow walking path.

Mom and Tita Jasmin taking a moment at the purifying station

A fine day on April 6th, at one of the most beautiful temples in all Japan - Kiyomizu Dera

"My little feet need a break!"

"Ok, I'm ready to roll again."

Throughout all the walking, Markus was a trooper!

We taxied it west of Kyoto to Arisugawa Station then took a streetcar to Tenryuji Temple. After a quick walk through the sacred grounds we made our way to the Path of Bamboo in Kitasaga.

A view of our relaxing walk through the shaded bamboo grove, while admiring the tall stems stretching straight up into the sky.

Bamboo is very useful in Japan. It plays an important part in the tea ceremony. It's used to create some of the tools such as stir-sticks, teaspoons, vases, and so on. I find bamboo aesthetically pleasing when used as dividers in landscaping. The hollow stem is lightweight, flexible yet very sturdy. We've also seen bamboo used creatively in traditional Japanese homes accenting walls and ceilings.

Bamboo grows famously in Kyoto, especially in the western part of the city due to its favourable soil and weather conditions.

Several rickshaws could be found transporting people around the narrow streets of Tenryuji Temple. Many stroll through the bamboo groves as well. How romantic!

Our Kyoto adventure ended where we started - back at ultra-modern Kyoto Station. We grabbed lunch at a sandwich shop and did some last minute omiyage (souvenir) shopping while waiting for our last shinkansen ride back to Tokyo. We were thoroughly fascinated by what we saw and learned throughout our West Japan Tour. In the short time we had, we celebrated our last ohanami season visiting the wonderful cities of Hiroshima, Miyajima, Himeji, Nara and finally Kyoto. Altogether, we took thousands of photos to capture the moments we'll cherish forever. Sugoii tanoshikatta!

Nara - West Japan Tour Part IV

After an hour shinkansen ride from Himeji to Kyoto Station, we boarded a bus for Nara. I decided the best way to see Nara in the short time we had, was to register for an afternoon tour visit to some main hotspots. In the evening, we would return and spend the night in Kyoto.

Again, because of ohanami season, Kyoto was especially busy upon arrival. It was evident when we could find not even one vacant locker throughout the entire station to keep our bags for the afternoon. We checked several areas and were informed by the station officials that all lockers were being used. Incidentally, after leaving the men's room, Rodney happened to walk by at the perfect time when a couple was retrieving their things, so just like that, he secured the locker.

Mass of crowds heading toward Todaiji Temple

TODAIJI TEMPLE

The relaxing bus drive took over an hour before we arrived the first destination, Todaiji Temple located in Nara Park. In 752, when Nara was the first capital of Japan (710 to 784), Todaiji was constructed as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples in the country. According to our tour guide, who spoke English, Todaiji is reportedly the largest existing wooden structure in the world.

NARA DAIBUTSU - The Great Buddha of Nara

The Todaiji Temple houses the massive Nara Daibutsu. Weighing at 500 metric tonnes and standing at 30 metres tall, Nara Daibutsu is the largest in all Japan. It is made of copper and bronze.

Each finger of the Daibutsu can be compared to the size of an adult human being

A guardian statue in Todaiji Temple

Standing before the Nandaimon (Great South Gate)

The present temple was reconstructed in the middle of the Edo Period (1603-1867), after being destroyed by fires and earthquakes. It is an enormous structure when you see it close at hand. However, its only two-thirds the original size. Imagine that!

Someone's got tired little feet!

A beautful sakura tree infront of Todaiji Temple

KASUGA TAISHA TORII

Spreading across the foothills of Mt. Mikasa is Kasuga Shrine, our final stop of the tour.

Kasuga Taisha, or Kasuga Shrine, was officially founded in 768 by the Fujiwara Family.

The long and peaceful pathway leading up to the shrine is adorned with three thousand stone lanterns. The lanterns were donated over the years by common people as tokens of faith and thankfulness.

The sacred Nara Park deer creeps up close for a photo...or food. It was impressive to see some of the deer bowing their heads in appreciation when given food. Only in Japan...

KASUGA TAISHA

The shrine is famous for its many bronze lanterns. Here, mom stands amidst the lanterns lined up along the main worship hall.

Peek-a-boo

Walking on sunshine

Aboard the bus to head back toward our final destination, Kyoto.

Our leisure time to explore the shrine was cut short, since we had spent a while in gridlock traffic. Our cheerful tour guide was thorough in in her explanations of the area's historic importance. Overall, we were satisified with Sunrise Tours.

Himeji - West Japan Tour Part III

After about an hour ride on the Nozomi Shinkansen, we arrived at our final destination of Day 1, Himeji City, on April 4Th.We taxied it to our hotel, Claire Higasa, (which by the way, I recommend if you're in the area) and freshened up for dinner. We found a family restaurant close to Himeji-jo (Himeji Castle).

Daddy wiped out as Markus enjoys the shinkansen ride.

Amidst the darkened sky, the elevated Himeji Castle was illuminated from bottom to top. A truly magnificent site.

After a satisfying Japanese-style dinner, we mustered up our last string of energy and strolled over to the castle to take a look at the view during the evening. At that point, it was shortly after 9:30 in the evening and I was surprised to see the large crowds when we entered the main gates. Several groups of people were partaking in their ohanami celebrations eating, drinking, and singing Karaoke (see photo right).

Enjoying the nighttime view of Himeji-jo

Some final photos before heading back to our hotel to call it a night. The castle's reflection in the moat

Just a quick recap of our travels, which started at the wee hour of 4:30 A.M.: we flew 1 1/2 hours to Hiroshima from Tokyo, then travelled by short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, back again to Hiroshima to catch a shinkansen to Himeji City. It was indeed a very long and full first day of our West Japan Tour and we were all desperate for rest.

Himeji-jo

The next morning we started off with a fantastic Japanese/Western breakfast at the hotel and left early to take on the sights at Himeji-jo. We had amazing spring weather. Again, the crowds were rolling in as early as 8:30 A.M., reserving their spots under the beautiful sakura trees, which they will again continue with their ohanami partying. Obviously, this area was a very popular attraction during the infamous ohanami season. There were various types of sakura trees with the most beautiful blossoms I've yet to see. Just about everywhere in the Himeji-jo perimeter could be a photographers' dream. It was interesting to learn that in 2003 epic movie, The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise, many scenes were filmed at this location.

A young man carries two koto, a 13-string zither Japanese musical instrument

The main courtyard

Signature eave medallions made of ceramic

Himeji Castle was originally built in 1346 by Akamatsu Sadanori as protection against local shoguns. It was never actually used in battle, thus it remained in its present condition. Restoration work began in 1956, after it was bombed twice during WWII, and was completed in 1964. In1931, it was designated as one of the country's national treasures, and is also known to be the best preserved castle in all Japan.

We all walked to the base of the castle then Tita Jasmin and I went ahead and decided to climb up as far as we could. Rodney stayed back with Markus and Mom and managed to make it to the main courtyard. Tita Jasmin and I zipped up as fast as we could bypassing people though only made it to the 4th floor. The first two floors are hidden behind the 84 foot stoned wall. Five floors of the main building are visible from the outside, for a total of seven floors. We thought for sure we made it up higher as we walked through the spiral-like maze, which was Himeji-jo's important defense element. Even with the clearly marked routes, I'm sure it would be easy for any visitor to get lost.

Upon entering the first level, all visitors must remove their shoes and put on slippers or go bare foot. No electrical source of lighting was being used, only natural sunlight coming in from the windows. Himeji-jo was also nicknamed "White Heron" because of the white fireproof plaster covering its' exterior. The interior of the castle was essentially all wood from floor to ceiling. As you roam within, each floor exhibited facinating memorabilia from the Muromachi period such as ancient shuuji (caligraphy) scripts, armour, weaponry related to the battles. The starwells were extremely narrow, and the wood smoothened by wear and tear, so I was sure to be careful climbing up and down. As we continued, it was amazing to think that we were walking through the same small passages and secret corriders where feudal lords once lived 660 years ago.

A view from the 4th floor keep of the castle overlooking the courtyard and Himeji City.

We perused quickly since we were pressed for time. We were scheduled to catch another shinkansen early afternoon bound for Kyoto.

After descending, we caught up with the rest of our group and took some final photos of the castle grounds and more of the beautiful sakura trees.

One last look of the castle as we exited the grounds. Off to our next stop...Nara.