First day in Kyoto (200th blog post)

Niji-jo Castle

Niji-jo Castle

Niji-jo Castle

Golden Pavillion

Hirano Shinto Shrine

Hirano Shinto Shrine

Nishki Market

B-line sticker shop

Tea ceremony 

Kyoto station

The first thing I like about Kyoto is it actually fits on a map (unlike Tokyo). Its 8:20am and its time to travel to our first stop, Nijo-jo Castle. Built by the shoguns in the 16th century we learn all about how they treated their friends and enemies, the artwork to express this sentiment in the different rooms is impressive. Alas no photos allowed, so did it really happen? We also have to hop on one foot and take off our shoes to walk the route around the palace. That’s a first. Another bit I like is the nightingale walk, the floorboards are constructed to make noise as you walk, which means ninjas can’t sneak up on you in the night. Then onto the garden which is divine.

Our next destination is on my must see list and it does not disappoint, it's the Golden Pavilion. The mirror reflection is only meant to be seen on sunny, calm days. It’s cloudy but the reflections still worked for us and the 1000’s of other people. This place is packed.

A quick lunch and our guide JJ agrees to take a detour so we hot foot it down to Hirano Shinto Shrine which has the best blossoms at the moment. Can this get any better? We arrive and there seems to be a lot of people. Whats that over there, looks like someone dressed as monkey (from the TV show), we find out today is the festival day and the locals are all here and there is a parade going on. Everyone who is important in this area is here in traditional dress. Think I am back in a fiesta in Malta. What good timing and fun!

Kyoto is south of Tokyo so technically the cherry blossoms should have been and gone, however they decided to wait until I arrived and they are in full bloom now. For a season that is only 10 days long and does not happen every year I have been incredibly lucky to see magnificent blossoms in two cities. (cherry blossom report, 10th April)

Apparently now we are going shopping my heart beats quicker. Then my hopes are dashed what its food shopping? That's a waste of time. We arrive at Nishki Market it is full to the brim with locals and tourists buying, seafood, bamboo roots, green tea ice cream and all kinds of weird stuff. But equilibrium is restored at the end of the food there are two arcades full of my type of shops. This is the kind of clothes I wanted to find in Japan. First, I make a beeline for Sou-Sou and get my first pair of tabi shoes, happy now. Now I am distracted by the sticker shop and it goes on and on. 

Better get a move on and get to the meeting point at the Tori gate. We are now changing pace again and going to a tea ceremony.