Kyoto Afternoon Walk

After arriving in Kyoto via bullet train from Tokyo, I checked into my ryokan and immediately decided my agenda for the day.  There was a suggested walking itinerary in one of my guidebooks that covered a lot of sights in about a half-day, which was about the exact time I wanted to spend.  Since I traveled from Tokyo, it was about 2 in the afternoon.  After realizing that there weren't many subway options, the bus seemed the way to get around.  I figured out the bus system with a couple of maps and my trusty compass.  This was the beginning of the walk, along Higashioji-dori, after getting off the bus.

After the walk uphill, this is what it finally led to: Kiyomizu-dera, an ancient temple first built in 798, but reconstructed in 1633.  These buildings are famous landmarks and are part of an affiliated branch of Buddhism, called Hosso.

These were some pictures inside the large complex, which twisted back into the hillside, revealing more and more structures.

The pagoda, which could be seen as far away as the beginning of the walk down the hillside.

Looking back over the complex from the walkway that I came up.  You can see the people vanishing back into the distance and just barely make out the rest of the city below, along with the mountains.

These are wooden tablets, that can be purchased and then written on- with a wish or desire for happiness or luck.  They are then supposed to be presented during the prayer service by the monks (don't know when this happens).

School children from all over Japan are always around the shrines and temples.  Sort of similar to visiting the state capital or nation capital.  It makes a lot of sense why they are there, but it took me a while to catch on.  

The view overlooking the grounds back to the city below.

A stone statue on the grounds of the complex.

On to the next sight, after a lengthy walk through side streets and gardens: Yasaka Pagoda.  Really just a quick stop for pictures and viewing the pagoda.

This led to Ninen-zaka, a quaint little street, lined with historic houses, shops and teahouses.  A pleasant walk, with very little people out.  After some window shopping and not paying attention to anything at all, I turned around and saw these three lovely ladies walking down the block...

Actual Geisha, which were nice enough to pose with me for a picture.  I really couldn't pass this up, as there are as little as around 100 in Kyoto.  In one of my guidebooks, it did say that this street was the most likely place to run into them.  I just didn't think that I would actually see some and that they would be comfortable enough to pose for pictures.  

After another lengthy walk, this led to Nanzen-ji.  I actually arrived too late and it was closed.  I realized that the sights on the last quarter of my walk would probably be closed, because I had started out a little later in the afternoon.  I decided to end my day here, the walk total ended up being about 5 hours.  Besides being incredibly tired, it started to rain and I felt it was a good full first day in Kyoto.

Kyoto

I am currently making my one trip outside of Tokyo, which is going to Kyoto.  I've heard from many sources that if you go one place in Japan, it should be Kyoto.  I feel a little unfamiliar with Kyoto after preparing so much to be staying in Tokyo.  But, I felt it was worth a couple of days to visit another city and explore a little more of Japan, especially while I have the opportunity of being here.  I was very excited to also take the famed "Bullet train" from Tokyo to Kyoto.  Aptly named, this was surely the fastest train I've ever ridden on.   Racing across the landscape in the shinkansen, I was able to get a quick grasp of the extreme scale of Tokyo.

Another picture taken on the way through Tokyo, while riding the train.  I think this was taken as we were moving from central to south Tokyo.

This was still in Tokyo, but near Yokohama, which almost bleeds through into one another.  Smaller buildings are prominent, but still compactly close together.

About an hour outside of the 'suburbs' of Tokyo and Yokohama, we came close to the sea.  A welcomed site for me, having not left the city since I've arrived.

This led into mountains, which were beautiful to see and probably don't quite resonate in this photo.

Which eventually led to rice patty fields and farmers working.  It had an extremely idealistic feeling to it all, but very fascinating to see.

The brand new train station at Kyoto was very nice.  This grand, double-decker hallway was near the tourist information center.  A very impressive sight, just stepping off the train.

The street where I am staying at the ryokan in Kyoto.  I've noticed that it is not as built up as Tokyo, which makes sense for its smaller population- 1.47 million.  That is still a fairly large city by American standards, but the low-level buildings make it feel like a much smaller city.

I found this sign very amusing, posted inside my door to my room, which states "When emergency cover your mouth with your handkerchief".  I didn't know that I was supposed to have a handkerchief with me while staying at this ryokan.

This is the small, but clean and affordable Japanese-style room where I am staying.  The very convivial ryokan is conveniently located near central Kyoto and the train station.  More on Kyoto and my visit in a later post.

Looking East Over Shinjuku

After my last visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck, I needed to make another trip there to take more pictures.  The first time I went up the north tower and there was a cafe blocking the east view.  So, this time I went up the south tower and was able to get the views that I was hoping for looking east. 

  

From this vantage point looking east, you can definitely see more of the major large skyscrapers of the Tokyo area.  But, you can also see a little farther beyond this from this view. (as pictured above)

I took a photograph similar to this one during my last visit.  But, it is still really impressive to see the city from here.  It is hard to tell where it ends at the horizon line.

Shibuya Night

This is a very short video of Shibuya Crossing at night.  It seems a little hectic, mainly because it is dark and the lights on the buildings get a little blurry.  I almost ran into people a couple of times because I wasn't paying attention, but luckily made it across safely.

Shibuya at Night

I really enjoyed going to Shibuya so much that I kept thinking how great it would look at night.  The following pictures were all taken recently on a Tuesday night.  It was very busy, with a lot of people going out to dinner or shopping. 

Shibuya Crossing

This is Shibuya Crossing, a very well known crosswalk featured in movies and famous photographs of Tokyo.  It seemed to be a typical Monday afternoon, still very busy in my opinion.  Imagine what this would look like on a Friday night.

Shibuya & Akihabara

Today I ventured into Shibuya, which was a very busy shopping area, and Akihabara, considered "Electric City" in Tokyo.  Shibuya was my first stop and kind of reminded me of Shinjuku for a couple of reasons.  It had a similar feel, with a lot of over-stimulating visuals and sounds.  It was also packed with stores and shops in a small area.  But, the biggest similarity was all of the people walking around.

Shibuya has a very famous crosswalk- Shibuya Crossing.  It is constantly flooded with people.  Just as a reminder this was a Monday afternoon.  I have no idea what all of these people were up to or what jobs they have that let them walk around and do nothing.

I did feel that this area had a little more of a contemporary feel to it than Shinjuku.  The architecture looked a little newer, along with the technology of the lights and videos displayed on and inside the buildings. 

I love all the colors of the signs and sounds of shopkeepers yelling, along with music blaring and video screens playing random commercials, culminating in complete over-stimulation.

It was just amazing to me how many people were out on a Monday afternoon.  I know this is a huge city, but I kept trying to figure out why they were all there.

On to Akihabara, which has been coined "Electric City".  This is more for the electronics sold at multiple stores around the area.  I haven't really been too pressed to explore this area, but it turned out to be pretty interesting.  

This was around the corner from the train station and seemed to be a huge row of street-facing shops selling anything and everything related to electronic devices that could be found in this area- including computers, cameras, video game consoles and televisions.  

You could also buy everything to make your own electronic device or replace a part broken in your current device, such as these wire casings.

Random selection of light bulbs, all sizes and colors.

And more random wires and miscellaneous electronic related items.