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Kyoto - Day 1
Jul. 29th, 2004 08:07 pmThursday night – 8:00 pm
Today I got to ride a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. I think the most remarkable thing about the bullet train was how unremarkable the ride was despite the high speed.
Once we arrived in Kyoto, we left our bags at the hotel and headed out to look at temples. The first palace we visited was called Ninna-Ji. This palace was built in 888 A.D. and was formerly the residence of the ex-emperor. There was a five-level pagoda that was 45m high. This palace also contained are very elaborate system of walkways that lead through various buildings and past dozens of beautiful trees and ponds. We saw the room where the emperor would stay and several rooms for his servants.
From there, we went to a rock and landscape garden called Ryoanji Temple. This area contained a huge rock garden and a large pond filled with lotus and lily pads.
The last place we went was called Rokuon-Ji Temple. This temple was golden – literally covered in gold. Very spectacular.
I think my favorite part of the day was dinner. We drove up into the hills of Kyoto and into a very narrow canyon. The road was so narrow that cars would have to stop and one would have to pull over when passing each other. Along the very steep road flowed a creek. On the other side of the road was a series of very traditional looking Japanese restaurants. Our restaurant was perched across the creek. It was traditional Japanese seating – tatami mats with low tables. But each table was on a support just wide enough for the table and the people to sit there. Behind and in front of us flowed the creek. All around us, on either side of the creek were dark rocks covered with moss, vines, bushes and trees. Above us, crossing the canyon, were strings of Chinese lanterns. For dinner, we had traditional Japanese food – about 9 courses. By the time dinner was over, I was both full and relaxed. It was a beautiful day.
Today I got to ride a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. I think the most remarkable thing about the bullet train was how unremarkable the ride was despite the high speed.
Once we arrived in Kyoto, we left our bags at the hotel and headed out to look at temples. The first palace we visited was called Ninna-Ji. This palace was built in 888 A.D. and was formerly the residence of the ex-emperor. There was a five-level pagoda that was 45m high. This palace also contained are very elaborate system of walkways that lead through various buildings and past dozens of beautiful trees and ponds. We saw the room where the emperor would stay and several rooms for his servants.
From there, we went to a rock and landscape garden called Ryoanji Temple. This area contained a huge rock garden and a large pond filled with lotus and lily pads.
The last place we went was called Rokuon-Ji Temple. This temple was golden – literally covered in gold. Very spectacular.
I think my favorite part of the day was dinner. We drove up into the hills of Kyoto and into a very narrow canyon. The road was so narrow that cars would have to stop and one would have to pull over when passing each other. Along the very steep road flowed a creek. On the other side of the road was a series of very traditional looking Japanese restaurants. Our restaurant was perched across the creek. It was traditional Japanese seating – tatami mats with low tables. But each table was on a support just wide enough for the table and the people to sit there. Behind and in front of us flowed the creek. All around us, on either side of the creek were dark rocks covered with moss, vines, bushes and trees. Above us, crossing the canyon, were strings of Chinese lanterns. For dinner, we had traditional Japanese food – about 9 courses. By the time dinner was over, I was both full and relaxed. It was a beautiful day.
