Blogs from Kyoto, Japan, Asia - page 91

Asia » Japan » Kyoto September 30th 2005

It is just too odd. I have been to many many countries around the world now and this one surely has the steepest learning curve. Take your shoes off here, but not there, bow like this but it depends on your relationship to each other, eat with chopsticks and slurp. I mean it is all great for giving you that "We are not in Kansas anymore feeling." A pair of jeans costing $200 is a bit crazy though. I had a great couple people to stay with from couchsurfing and that is saving me a ton of dough. I saw temples and zen gardens and special trees and all that good stuff, but really I am having more fun just watching the customs of the people. There are young kids breakdancing at the train stations, people ... read more

More of Kyoto

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto September 16th 2005

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Lanz

Kyoto Imperial Palace tour? Yes please! The Imperial Palace was something that I had wanted to see while I was in Kyoto but I had heard mixed reactions about the tour. Some said it was a waste of time, others had liked it. So I decided to get my own opinion and I actually liked it. The tour was free, so even if I didn't it's not like I wasted any money. The tour took about one hour all up and took us around the buildings of the old palace. Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan and so the Emperor used to reside there as well, but the palace isn't used as a residence anymore. You don't get to go inside any of the buildings but I knew that beforehand so maybe that's why ... read more

Culture lesson in Kyoto

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto September 16th 2005

Maruyama Park

Lanz

When I was in Osaka I was really tired and sometimes, even though I enjoyed it, I felt like I was just going through the movements of sightseeing, seeing but not really seeing, if you know what I mean. Today is actually the 6 week mark of my holiday, but I think that while I was in Osaka I was a little over it. Travelling, especially by yourself, can be so exhausting, the early mornings and travelling times and having to be here for this and there for that and trying to see all that you can in one day etc. I really felt quite lethargic while in Osaka, but like I said I still enjoyed it and saw the things I wanted to see, just didn't have my usual enthusiasm. BUT, when I hit Kyoto ... read more

Gion Area

Asia » Japan » Kyoto September 11th 2005

Kodaiji Landscape

WildBillJackson

After all the excitement of yesterday getting the energy together for a tour of a new district of Kyoto wasn’t easy but it is a beautiful city and shortly after arriving I was good to go. This trip I was guided by my home stay brother Tomoki who is the nicest guy you could ever meet. We went to the Gion district in Kyoto which is a very old and famous area where maiko or geisha in training or so I think can still be seen, first stop for us was the Yasaka Shrine. The Yasaka shrine is located on Shijodori a famous street of Kyoto and was constructed in 656 and is a striking vermillion or so says my guild book but it was at least bright orange and pretty cool. Next stop for us ... read more

Third Time's the Charm

Asia » Japan » Kyoto September 10th 2005

Yasaka Shrine

LostInOsaka

Actually, this was my third AND fourth time in Kyoto, but I'm getting ahead of myself. To put things simply, yesterday sucked. We (the usual suspects) had decided to go back to Kyoto to check out Gion and Pontocho, the two big geisha districts. We waited 'til five when Levi was done with class, joined at the last minute by Sebastian, which was fine. Took the express to Keihan Shijo-eki. No problem. We had decided to check out Yasaka Shrine, Minamiza (or whatever) theater, Ichiriki Teahouse, Gion Corner, and some other places. We went to Yasaka first, and it was really nice. Seeing the shrine all lit up at night was a real treat, and I'm glad we were there to see the lanterns. So that was cool. Then the boys decided they were hungry, so ... read more

Byodoin Temple

Asia » Japan » Kyoto September 9th 2005

Byodoin

WildBillJackson

Ok So I havnt exactly been as up to date on posting to this site as I promised but this one should be good. Japan has been awesome to say the least. The first week I spent in the seminar houses on campus which are basically like apartments and I lucky and had some really good roommates and have hung out with the guys I met there a few times since and also have made other friends a long the way. The Japanese students at the school have been really nice and I have made a good number of Japanese friends already and only a few hundred are on campus now and on September 16 about 10000 more show up. Classes have been good but the Japanese language classes are pretty rough. Very intense, but I ... read more

Geishas, Gardens and Sushi, wonderful Kyoto

Asia » Japan » Kyoto September 7th 2005

Kodai-ji temple

Family Mudpie

We're on the road again, or more accurately the rails, as we head south from Nikko to the temple crazy city of Kyoto. Kyoto is Japan's favourite city, the cultural home of Japan, it was the captial for more than 1000 years until the Meiji Restoration moved the Imperial Family north to the present day capital of Tokyo. Kyoto was only settled for 150 years before it became the capital so you can see that it's pretty special. The city is UNESCO World Heritage region with 17 Kyoto sites having priceless historic value for visitors and the Japanese public alike. There are more than 40 colleges and unviersities here and more schools of art than you can shake a stick at. It's a really old city, built on the Chinese prinipal of grids it still retains ... read more

My Kyoto Excursion

Asia » Japan » Kyoto August 30th 2005

Mibu-dera

LostInOsaka

So, I headed off to Kyoto... not alone as planned, but with Jim because he was going anyway and seemed open to checking out the places I wanted to see. So I was basically in charge. We got on the train at Hirakata-shi, off at Kyoto Shijo Station. From there, it's a good long walk (30 mins?) to Mibu-dera, the first stop on my itinerary. Mibu-dera is the Buddhist temple where the Shinsengumi trained during the Bakumatsu (Revolution). The Shinsengumi were basically a special force charged with maintaining peace and putting down the Isshin rebels. A few of them are buried at Mibu, including the leader, Kondo Isami. We found the temple without too much difficulty, and I must say, I like it a lot! The grounds are small but very well maintained and the temple ... read more

2 Days in Kyoto

Asia » Japan » Kyoto August 28th 2005

Kyoto -- Sanjo Bridge

LostInOsaka

We decided to go to Kyoto on Thursday to prepare ourselves for the "official" tour on Friday. It ended up being only Jim, Chris and myself, and we set out pretty late. We did manage to get to the Kyoto Museum before it closed, which was nice but kind of lacking. I thought they would have more Bakumatsu stuff, but I didn't really see any at all. I did learn they once had a Shinsengumi exhibit, which made me very jealous! After that we walked around the area near Sanjo and eventually made it up to around the Imperial Palace, which was of course closed and dark. The grounds are HUGE, though! Then we went to Marutamachi and headed home. Friday was supposed to be the tour, but we decided to go it alone by train ... read more

only 1/2 a verscht left

Asia » Japan » Kyoto August 6th 2005

Japanese style room

Benjie

Have spent the last 3 nights in Kyoto. First night was brutal. Slept in a Japanese room on these mats on the floor. Too hot to do anything but eat ice cream. Found this great place today where they allow kids to gamble. Best place so far. Spent the whole day there.... read more

Brief history of Japan

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol...more history

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