Japan '06

With our handy Kansai thru pass we traveled yesterday to Kyoto and checked into our hostel - K`s House. It`s nice and clean, although our　 room is tiny! We saw a few Buddhist temples yesterday. The gardens attached to the temple grounds are absolutely glorious. Some are dry, Zen gardens others have water features and mostly evergreens and ferns. I was worried before the trip that the gardens wouldn`t be as interesting　because it is winter here. When I think garden, I think mostly flowering plants and greenery. Japanese gardens have a whole other quality and are beautiful even in the depth of winter. Speaking of winter, not sign of it here. Yesterday was partly sunny and probably around 45-50 degrees. After exploring and walking until our legs hurt, we headed home. A quick stop at the bottom floor of a Japanese department store (food court) yielded our first sushi and tempura of the trip. More later....

Places visited:
1. Higashi Honganji (Buddhist Temple) - Central Kyoto - wooden templex complex that was partially being restored. Our first temple and our first experience with taking off our shoes before entering it.

2. Heian-jingu (Shinto Shrine) - A large orange Shrine and templex complex. Our first Shinto shrine and our introduction to the rituals and movements of worshippers and visitors.

3. Nanzen-in (Zen Buddhist Temple) - Kyoto western hill - A beautiful templex complex and zen gardens.

Food - interesting experience with the basement floor of the Damairu department store. Counter after counter of food to go - tempura, sushi, etc. and we saw our first $10 box of strawberries and $30 melons!