Tokyo proved to be a dynamic and impressive start to our Japanese tour, but I was really most excited about our stay in Kyoto. Everything I researched about Japan pointed to Kyoto being the cultural and visual highlight. So we allocated the bulk of our itinerary to Kyoto. We were whisked from Tokyo via the Shinkansen nozomi train to the heart of Kyoto in what felt like a blink of an eye. Such a smooth and enjoyable journey. We allowed five full days to explore Kyoto's delights as well as a couple of day-trips to visit Hiroshima and the shrine at Miyajima on one day and then to Nara for another. Having so much time based in Kyoto also allowed time for some unique Japanese experiences that will forever remain highlights of our trip to Japan.
We stayed a 20-minute walk to the north of Kyoto station, which turned out to be a perfect location. After settling into our hotel we did some initial exploring on our first evening, and after dinner had a lovely stroll down the richly lit Pontocho Alley.
En route to the Silver Pavilion
Catching the tail end of cherry blossom season
The lovely Silver Pavilion
Ninja sighting near the Silver Pavilion
Strolling the Philosopher's Path
The gorgeous Golden Pavilion
We have to talk about the hot dogs at 7-Eleven. What slurpees are to 7-Eleven in the US (and Australia), hot dogs are to 7-Eleven in Japan. They're everywhere, literally, and honestly they are so good! And for practically nothing prove to be pretty handy snacks for the teenagers (and adults!) between meals. And those amazing twin mustard/ketchup packs perfectly designed for ease of one-handed use are just the bees knees!
For a little monkeying around we went up to Iwafayama Monkey Park. A little underwhelming (expected honestly), but it was a fun little diversion with some good views over the city.
Temples are in plentiful supply in Japan, honestly some blocks have several. A small one as we explored Arashiyama in northwest Kyoto.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Wandering around Arashiyama
Shoes off, slippers on
Scott found a really neat experience for our group, an evening of ninja lessons at a real ninja dojo! The ninja sensei is a descendant of a real ninja. The session was great fun as he taught us about sword wielding, ninja star throwing, sneaky ninja walking and other ninja secrets. Truly a once in a lifetime experience that we'll remember.
After a great start exploring Kyoto we took a very long, but very worthwhile daytrip via the shinkansen train to visit Hiroshima and nearby Miyajima. An incredible day.
Itsukushina Shrine
Toyokuni Pagoda
The famous Itsuushima Floating Torii Gate, best viewed at high tide.
Exploring Miyajima
The local dish of Miyajima, okonomiyaki full of egg, noodles, cabbage, pork and topped with green onions and a sweet sauce, so good!
A visit to the sobering Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum learning all about the bombing at Hiroshima
Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall
Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph
Atomic Bomb Dome
Motoyasu River
Atomic Bomb Dome
Ground Zero, the location where the centre of the bomb hit
Gion, the wonderfully traditional district I was most excited to explore
Gion Tatsumi Bridge
Hanamikoji Street
Hokan-ji Temple
Ishibe-koji Alley
Oops
Sanneizaka
Missing Dallin
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
More around Sanneizaka
More views of Hokan-ji Temple
Just got prettier as the sun went down
More around Ishibe-koji Alley at dusk
Our Stephash touring crew
Hanamikoji Street after dusk
We took another day-trip out to visit the culturally rich town of Nara. It was a pleasant day out seeing more beautiful temples and traditional Japanese quarters.
Todai-ji Temple
Giant Buddha inside Todai-ji Temple
Kasuga-Taisha Shrine
Exploring Nara Park
Back in Kyoto for church on Sunday
"Wasabi!" A pretty perfect sushi lunch in a perfect setting, Japanese dreams coming true!
Stephash crew at the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
The gorgeous archways at the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, almost impossible to photograph without people. But patience prevails!
What's a trip to Japan without a little karaoke?! We capped our final night in Kyoto with a rocking session of karaoke as only our Stephash crew could do. It was hilarious and just so much fun. A night to remember! (Also very few other people I'd do karaoke with!)
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