Kyoto, Japan

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Chinese New Year 2009

Eventhough we haven't officially started our around the world trip, Doug organized a 5 day getaway to Kyoto, Japan. It was absolutely amazing, minus the small hiccup of traveling with a canceled passport. Kyoto is relatively flat, so we cycled everywhere. The weather was sunny and cold but it was okay because we were always on the go.

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Photos

Nijo Castle
Entry way into Nijo Castle. This is the castle that has the famous nightengale floor boards

Cycling
Cycling to the Silver Pavillion

Nanzenji Temple
Sun filtering through at the temple.

Aqueducts
It was very suprising to find this aqueduct at the Nanzenji Temple.

Snowing!
It snowed one day while we were in Japan. Timing was great b/c we had to go to Osaka and sort our my new passport.

Osaka Castle
The outside looks amazing, the inside was horrible! Nothing original and a pathetic museum type display. Definitelly give this a miss.

CIMG0045
All the castles have a trapezium base due to earthquakes.

Cherry Blossom
This was the one and only cherry blossom in bloom during January.

Fushimimi-Inarai-Taisha
This place was a definite highlight. Hundreds of wooden arches that go along the side of a hill. Lanterns light up at night.

Fushimimi-Inarai-Taisha
This is a statue of a fox, he is holding the key to the granary in his mouth. He is definitely the motif of this temple.