Kyoto and Nara

I took over 600 pictures so it was very hard to pick!

The Group at Kiyomizudera

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Roxy and David on the Kiyomizudera balcony. Kyoto Tower is in the background

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Su looking for the Love-Match rock

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Me and Su and the Imperial Palace

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Me, David, ad Su at the Ginkakuji (yep, its gold!)

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Me at the Rock garden in Ryoanji

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Me Roxy and Su with some Buddhas. Can you find us?

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Me in front of the Phoenix Hall at the Byodoin.

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Me and Rox at Fushimi Inari Shrine

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Kitties at the top of Fushimi Inari. Cute! but mean....

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Me in front of the Todaiji. That deer is trying to eat my bag....

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Me in Front of the Todaiji. (Buddha's in there!)

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Su going through the hole the size of the Daibutsu's nostril

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Me, lynnette, and Roxy under a giant bell

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Me at the aqueduct (I didnt fall in!)

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Ginkakuji (silver pavillion) and sand castles

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Me and Rox at Toji (picture curtosy of cool old man!)

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Me and Su hugging one of the biggest Tori's in Japan at Heian Shrine

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Su and Roxy at Heian Shrine garden

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Me and Rox at Heian Shrine garden

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A group picture at the Horyuji

Hello all! Sorry it has been awhile since I last posted! Its been busy, but in one long blog post I will update you all!

On Christmas Eve, 7 friends and I took a night bus to Kyoto for a week. The bus ride lasted 6 hours and we arrived in Kyoto around 7am!!! We were all quite exhausted, but decided to walk to the hostel from the station. Little did I realize that the map I had wasn't really to scale, and it was about 30 minutes walk away! That doesn't sound that bad, but we all had our luggage and had no sleep-but we managed and arrived at our hostel.

Our hostel was set up by our program director, and it was a pretty nice place. Us 4 girls shared a room, and the 4 boys shared the other. The rules were a little bit strict, but it was worth it because we had a prime location and cheap rent. Although we were a bit tired, we headed out to get some coffee at a nearby starbucks (yay for limited addition starbucks christmas coffees!!!) and then went to our first and I think the all around favorite destination: Kiyomizudera. The name means something like "clear water temple" in english.

The temple is awesome because it sits on a hill and is huge! When we first arrived, we couldn't believe it! There were a lot of cool attractions, including a pitch black hallway (and I mean pitch black) that you travel through and meditate or something. I guess it is supposed to simulate the womb...anyways, it was pretty awesome. Also, temple legend has it that if you jump off the balcony of the temple and survive, you can get enlightenment! Although you cant really do it now, in the Edo period there was actually an 85% survival rate! Also, there was an area with 2 rocks, and if you can get to the other one with your eyes closed, you can get love! I accidentally walked into a temple shop first, so I guess that means I will marry for money before love. But that is ok for me!

At the bottom of the shrine, there is a small waterfall where, if you drink the water, you can be cured of any ailments. I drank the water, which was pretty tasty (i have a feeling it was tap water though...). After this temple we did a little touristy shopping, and went out for christmas dinner. Because as a group we could not decide what to eat, we went to a cheap noodle and rice place (you put money into a machine, press a button for what you want to eat, and they bring it to you). Although not preferable for a Christmas dinner, it worked out fine.

The next day we had a reservation for the Kyoto imperial palace (you cant get in without a reservation!) so we walked over there. The palace is in this huge complex with a garden and everything. Remember, the emperor lives in Tokyo now, so it is really just there to be of historical value. It was very cool to see, and I learned a lot from our tour guide. Apparently, there are a number of gates that you can walk to depending on your rank. One of the gates can only be entered by the emperor himself! We, of course, entered through the servants gate.

After the palace, we had a quick lunch and headed to the Kinkakuji, or Golden Pavilion. It is aptly named, because the building is covered in gold leaf! It was a site to see! Although this building actually dates only back to the 1950s (a crazy monk burnt down the original one from the Ashikaga shogunate) it was still a truthful representation of the original.

Next, we went to Ryoanji, a famous rock garden temple. In the garden, if you can see all 15 large rocks at once, you can gain enlightenment. However, there is a special place you can stand and you can see them all.....so we all gained enlightenment!

After Ryoanji, we headed to Ninnaji, another big temple in the area. it was awesomely big, and we sat down for a quick peanut butter lunch (thanks mom for sending it to me!) We walked around a little bit and left right before they closed. We then caught a bs back to the hostel. :)

The next day, we went out a little further. We took a train to Uji, a little bit outside of Kyoto and saw the Byodoin, one of my personal favorite places. It is actually a pretty old building that hasn't really been too harmed by fire. The Phoenix Hall (also on the back of the 10 yen coin) is famous because it is the home to a gold amida statue, which is pretty old. We were also granted entry to the on sight museum, which displayed many artifacts from the temple.

Next, we went to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Probably everyone has seen a picture of it- it is the place with the gazillions of toris (red gate things) all lined up in a row. Here, we did a 2 hour hike to the top, which was really fun. People come to this shrine to pray for money.

After this, we all headed home. The next day we went to Nara, another city that had been the capital. Here, we visited the massive Nara park, home to many temples and shrines, and of course tame deer. The deer run around and bug you for food, but in the old days (and sometimes now) they were considered gods. You can buy deer crackers, and a million of them with basically trample you to get a bite. On this day it was a little bit off and on rain, but overall it was OK. We visited a bunch of little temples, but the big site was the Todaiji, home to the Daibutsu. You may remember from my earlier posts the Kamakura daibutsu. This Daibutsu (or big Buddha) is 3 times the size of the Kamakura one, and a sort of national buddha. It was truly gigantic!!!

Inside the building where the Daibutsu is housed, there is a hole in a post roughly the size of the Daibutsu's nostril, where if you can get through, you can get enlightenment. One of our friends surprised us but easily flying through the small hole with no effort whatsoever. The Su, as small as she is, go through as well. The tallest member of our group (about 6'3" maybe) got though as well. We all caused quite a commotion!

After that, we explored the park a little more, and then headed home. The next day, we split into 2 groups, because some people wanted to visit nearby Osaka. I didn't think I had seen enough of Kyoto to be satisfied, so Roxy, Su, and I stayed. Plus, osaka is a place you probably should spend more than a day in. First, we went to Nanzenji, at the foot of the philosophers path. It was a bit drizzly and foggy, but it actually made for good conditions for this temple. We hiked a bit along a cool aqueduct thing, which was fun.

After that, we walked about 30 minutes along the philosophers path, and philosophized. (and ate ice cream). At the end of the path is the Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion). This temple was built by the grandson of the Gold Pavilion guy, although sadly is not covered in silver. But it was amazing nonetheless, although a bit crowded. Because it was damp outside, they were making these sand designs in front of the pavilion that represent mount fuji and the ocean. But really, just a glorified sand castle. But cool!

After that we headed toward Toji, another temple. A cool Japanese Grandpa and his family befriended us (we think he wanted to practice his english) and told us some Toji trivia. They we very nice! The temple was pretty cool as well, and had a huge pagoda that is synonymous with kyoto. They also had a lot of buddhist sculptures which were awesome to see!

We parted ways with our new family and headed back to the hostel. The Osaka team was back as well, and while they had a good time, Osaka seemed to be all closed down for the holidays.

Our next and final day, we checked out of the hostel, and once again split into 2 groups because the Osaka half wanted to see the Silver Pavilion. So Roxy, Su, and I went to Heian shrine. It was again kind of rainy, but we really wanted to see the gardens. We got inside, and although it was winter, it was breath taking! And we basically had the whole garden to ourselves, because it was early and because of the rain. The rain soon cleared up and it was amazingly sunny! Very breathtaking!

We all met up again at kyoto station and headed to Nara, where we would catch a bus back to Tokyo. First, however, we went to the Horyuji, which was probably my favorite stop on our journey. I think I liked it because it was truly very old! And also had a lot of old artifacts....which are always my favorite. Like the Byodoin, it also had an attached museum which was amazing. My favorite place!

When we were done we ate dinner, and waited in a coffee shop for our bus, which came at 9:10. Then began our long journey home! We got back around 6;00, and I basically just collapsed on my be and fell asleep!

Overall, the trip was very fun! I will probably have to go back again, because there is really so much to see! Going in the winter is also a mixed bag- you miss all the flowers and the leaves, but it is not crowded at all. apparently, in the spring and fall it is unbearably crowded, and the summer is too hot. So I think it was planned out right!!