DAYS 20 & 21 |
Time to escape from the crazy hi tech world that is Tokyo and speed off in a sleek white Shinkansen (Bullet train) for a two and a half hour journey to the ancient temples and houses of Kyoto. Maybe now, in this most beautiful of cities, I will finally be able to persuade Rod and Stephen to lay off the McDonalds and try something Japanese!
One of the new generation of bullet trains. 
On our way. Our train had a female driver. One of only 2 female bullet train drivers in Japan. They qualified only a few days before our journey. 
If you thought Kyoto was all ancient temples and elegant wooden buildings then Kyoto station will come as a shock. It's a multi level building of shops and walkways, steel & glass. Rod thought it was one of the most inspiring buildings he has ever been in. Here is Stephen not quite reaching Rods level of enthusiasm. 
After sorting out a hotel and dumping our luggage we headed off for a feast of culture. Our first stop; the Higashi Hongan-ji Temple. This is the Taishi-do, one of the world's largest wooden structures. Inside, we watched monks chanting and visitors being blessed.
More Pictures
|
Send an email to Rod
|
Send an email to Steve
|
Back to the Calendar
| |