| Part of this year's trip was an overnight trip to Kyoto so that we could spend more time there. Unfortunately, I think spending 2 nights would have been better. An overnight stay didn't leave much time since the first day and night was spent travelling (and you think I'd get up early on vacation...right). The following day was a late wake-up so that didn't really leave us much time since we figured on catching the Shinkansen later in the afternoon. But we did squeeze in a walk around near the hotel and sights in the area. Next year, definitely, 2 night stay so we can spend a whole day in Kyoto and look around the Gion area of Kyoto in the early evening and maybe see the Maikos (or Geishas...I think it has something to do with ranking) come out. |
| Jack's Trip: Japan 2005 (Page 2) |
| At the Westin Miyako Hotel, they have a "Bird Watching Trail" that runs form the back of the hotel then up the side of the hill ending up on a lookout. On the trail there's a small Shrine and of course Torii gates. Good thing it was Novemeber and the weather was already cool since it was a steep walk. There were actually lil' old Japanese grandmas that walked up the hill too. They didn't even break a sweat and weren't winded at all, not like a couple of old American couch potatoes. Ha ha...They really put us to shame. Maybe next time I'll ask the Grandmas to help me up the hill. |
| The Kyoto Heain Shrine was close by the hotel so we walked over there. We couldn't really miss it since it had these large Torii gates in front...though I think most important Shrine is the area has them. In the Shrine, of course there's the Temple itself, but there's also a Garden walk. Pretty nice a peaceful, though you do have to pay to get into the Garden. |
| Kyoto (Westin Miyako "Bird Watching Trail") |
| Kyoto Heian Shrine |
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