Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Last of Kyoto...

We also went to the Golden Temple (I forgot how to spell Kinkakkuji), which is made out of real gold.

(Note the shrug is being worn as a sun screen - Japanese women wear fingerless mittens up past their elbows here in the summer as a guard against the sun, I found out.

This is the original pine tree from when this place was built, and it's been pulled into the shape of a ship on the sea. Do you see the flat part in front of the tall part?

Now, random things seen from the cab. First, 2 boys being pulled in a rickshaw. No idea where their parents were. Japanese kids are totally self-sufficient here. They ride the trains to school with no supervision...not usually the rickshaws, though...

Two "miako," which is probably misspelled and means Geisha-in-training, or "fake Geisha," as the guide called them.


And two things to notice here. Everybody seems to have a bike, and I wouldn't drive here because they just pull into traffic and don't wear helmets. Also, note the fancy white doilies in the cab, and the driver's white gloves. Very nice. The doors also open and close by themselves so you don't have to get germy.

This is Roan-ji (I totally am not spelling anything right tonight), which is the most famous rock garden. Thirteen rocks in a sea of gravel, which is very carefully raked, and they look like islands in a sea...(but not islands in the stream, which is what Dolly and Kenny are.)

Beautiful garden with carefully manicured moss...no leaves. We had the boys take notes for implementation at home...

How the heck did these turtles get on top of this rock?

One aspires to greatness on the right. We watched him for 5 minutes S-T-R-E-T-C-H his back legs and push himself up to the top. We kept hoping he'd topple the whole pile into the water - would've made a great video...

This is the bamboo forest. Not enough room to pitch a tent between these trees...

And leaving the majesty and tranquility of Japanese temples and gardens behind, Lucas and I set off in search of arcane arcades....where he scored 2 prizes within 15 minutes. This kid is going to be a pathological gambler. (And don't you love the slogan on the top of the machine?)

And of course we had to pose with the Colonel in the food court. He's at least wearing something of Japanese origin.

6 comments:

gwensews said...

My husband and I are enjoying your virtual trip in Japan. My husband was there on a business trip a few years ago, and has seen some of the attractions you've been posting. Continue having a great time.

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Thanks, Gwen!

Pam said...

That is definitely one regret I have and a must-do on my next trip to Japan is to go to Kyoto - I didn't do that and totally regretted it. I love your visit photos - it looks so calm and wonderful! This is a great travel blog - I recommend much more travel and blogging for you:) With some sewing thrown in!

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Ooh, more travel - yes! You definitely have to do Kyoto - not as crazy as Tokyo, and I read too late that there was a great fabric place...

Pam said...

Yes so true - I want to buy knives there from families that have been making them for centuries!!!

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Oh! Not quite knives, but dean and drew went to Tozando, which is a sword shop/museum where they handcraft them. They said it was fascinating and bought one that should arrive today.