As promised here are the pics from yesterday's trip to Kyoto. It was another beautiful day although quite cold with lots of snow on the surrounding mountains. After arriving at the station we took a bus to Nijo-jo which is a beautiful castle in the north west of the city. Although there were signs everywhere not to photos inside, my camera must be faulty because it kept accidently taking photos (until the lady watching over us seemed to get an inkling something was up!). Oops!
Nijo-jo is spectacular (former Shogun's residence) and enormous with huge walls and a moat. History oozes from every room. The gardens are very beautiful too although somewhat colorless being in the depths of winter. Speaking of winter - boy did it turn cold late morning, with snow flurries - luckily we had our coats and beanies with us - and you really needed them.
A bus ride further north took us to the Golden Pavilion - this is probably the most famous temple in Japan - most photographed too. (we also had a quick bite of lunch on the way) It doesn't have the historical appeal of Nijo-jo (it was burnt down by an obsessed monk in 1950) but what it lacks in history it gains in beauty. As we arrived - with 47 thousand chinese - the sun poked through the clouds (and snow) and the pavilion positively glowed. The gardens there were also beautiful.
By now it was mid afternoon and Linda was keen to get rid of all the money which had been burning a hole in her pocket all day, so another bus ride across town this time took us back to the Kyoto Handicraft Centre. Unburdened by okane (money) we headed to another main street to catch the bus back to the station. Unfortunately our plan was foiled as the bus when it finally arrived was packed to the rafters. So, for the second time in a week we hopped cab rides back to the station. We had some time to kill before the train ride back to Tokyo so we had an excellent dinner in one of the station restaurants, wandered around the shops a while and then snored and dribbled our way home..............
Not so early this morning we arose and stumbled to our local now traditional breakfast of coffee and bagels. A quick to trip to the bank to re-burden ourselves and off we went to Tokyo station - this time to catch the train to Nikko.
The Shinkansen to Utsunomiya ride was really interesting because it headed north out of the city on an elevated track. The view was terrific and the weather clear and fine. As we got out into the suburbs, Mt Fuji hove into view - although quite distant it looked beautiful. The ride to Utsunomiya only takes about 50mins so pretty soon we were on a little 2 carriage local train to Nikko. 40mins later and there we were at the foot of the snow covered mountains. As luck would have it a bus pulled up in front of us and on we hopped. We took the bus right to the top of the hill and stopped outside Taiyuin-byo which enshrines Tokugawa Iemitsu (grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu of Toshogu Shrine fame). This was a lucky stop in the end because this shrine was spectacular and not very crowded. Although again a very cold day with lots of snow lying around and very slippery and icy stairs, the son shone on the gold leaf adornments.
Next stop was the shrine of the grandad - Ieyasu - this is what people come to Nikko to see - and both they came in their thousands today. Another slippery walk up to Toshogu Shrine where after paying the world's most expensive entry fee (is Michael really a child - gee I hope so - that's what his entry ticket said) we entered the gilded environs with five thousand of our closest Japanese and Chinese friends (this temple has the the 3 wise monkey carvings). One guy walked in front of our photos so often I asked him where he would like me to send his picture.
On balance Taiyuin-byo was better - very similar in terms of design and beauty - and about one third the entry price - although you can't go to Nikko and not go to Toshogu. By mid afternoon we had seen enough gold and experienced enough narcissism so we wandered down the main street back to the station. On the way we crossed a beautiful river with an ancient red bridge, which we photographed to death and then had lunch. A wander down through town preceded a relaxing couple of hours home on the train.
Tomorrow is a rest day.
No comments:
Post a Comment