Last days in Japan

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Hi all
Moved on to Kyoto
Went around Imperial　Palace today on pre-arranged tour Lovely grounds and blossom at last getting to be its best but a week later would be better
Seen Golden Pavillion and Zen gardens at Ryoanji temple
15 rocks arranged within a gravel raked setting
Very peaceful
Took a walk from the hotel to Yasaka shrine opposite
The gate is being restored but inside there are a number of temples and shrines
On the way up the paths to the shrines are lots of stalls selling food trinkets and games of chance - a bit like Blackpool golden mile
Saw a Shinto wedding in the shrine. Very much an open air public ceremony and very noisy from all the crowds around
Walked on from there and came to some lovely unexpected paved lanes with nice restaurants and shops - lots of Japanese crafts and antiques but not cheap
saw some pottery for upwards of 80000 yen
Lots of girls dressed as Geishas possibly the apprentice Geishas Having photos under the blossom
Unfortunately Joan fell off a steep step and got bad bruising to knees arms and ankle - not due to alcohol!!!
Took it slowly and wandered back to the hotel via the 5 floor pagoda
Almost ran out of money and had to go back to main train station post office to get cash from ATM
Lots of local ATM machines don't take foreign cards and local post office shut at 5.30pm
Went out for a meal and had Shabu Shabu - pieces of meat and vegetables you cook yourself at the table in a stew pot
Most expensicve meal we have had in 2 weeks and the experience over-rated.

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Photos

Nishi Hongan-ji
This building contains the worlds largest wooden structure It is under restoration 2002 to 2010

Yasaka shrine Kyoto
Shinto wedding procession