Vacation – Kyoto, Japan
After spending three full days in Tokyo, we took the bullet train to Kyoto and spent two full days there with another tour guide. (Our fabulous tour guide in Tokyo helped us purchase the correct train tickets) The tour guide we wanted couldn’t show us around for both days we were in Kyoto. But, Matt was able to book a private van and have the driver be our tour guide. It all worked out well and the driver then drove us the next day with our tour guide too. While in Kyoto we stayed at Ikumatsu Ryoken which is a 200 year old famous traditional Shogun home that has been turned into a traditional hotel.
Ready to leave Tokyo with our luggage and go by train to Kyoto.
We rode the Bullet Train for nearly three hours and had a pleasant time napping, reading and watching the countryside zoom by.
And since we took the train, we got to see all of the stores that are underground near the subway and train stations. This Japanese bakery was very tasty with a wide variety.
Day 1
Our driver and the van that we rode around in Kyoto.
This is the Miyazaki Anime store. Now we need to figure out what/who all the characters are that we saw.
We saw a bunch of ladies dressed in kimonos and got a photo with them. Come to find out that you can pay to wear a kimono and visit tourist places and get a discount for wearing a kimono. Plus many people ask to take a photo of you dressed up!
We saw various school students at the tourist places we were visiting. Matt decided to make them all smile and take a photo with a group of school girls.
It was rainy while we visited Heian Shrine, but the gardens were so lovely.
Ryoanji Temple Rock Garden has 15 big rocks, but you can’t see all 15 at the same time from any one location.
The Golden Pavilion. The bottom part is not made out of gold because nothing is perfect in life, only God. And there is always room to improve.
Day 2
Lovely Kyoto.
Cherry blossoms in full bloom here at the cherry blossom tunnel.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is pretty amazing with hundred of bamboos all around.
Fushimi Inari Shrine has hundreds of these orange shrines in a line.
Tenryu-ji Temple is so peachful
Even Mason can sit still and meditate in Kyoto.
We all got really good at taking off our shoes before entering museums and other buildings in Japan.
All of the strange and yummy treats that we brought home from Japan.
If we are ever asked to live in Japan, we would be okay with that! We loved the people, the food and the beauty of the land. More photos of Kyoto here.
