Nara and Kyoto

---

We went to Kyoto and were staying at a Ryokan - a traditional Japanese guesthouse - called Heianbo. We were a bit freaked out that it might be a bit too traditional (squat toilet, small uncomfortable futon etc) but it turned out to be really nice. We found Kyoto a bit weird though - the public transport system revolved around buses and the places that we wanted to visit were quite far away. Also, when we tried to walk places we got lost in the massive railway station or the small little crooked streets etc. We did visit Toji Temple with the highest pagoda in Japan, and Gion, the Geisha district, but did not manage to spot a geisha.

We had a day trip out to Nara which was really nice. It has a lot of really nice temples and a lot of parkland with heaps of deer wandering around that hunt you down if you buy deer biscuits to feed them! We got an English speaking student guide (free - they do it to improve their english) who showed us around Kofukuji Temple with its Five-Storied Pagoda (which is apparently only a few centimetres shorter than the Toji one), Daibutsuden (the largest wooden building in the world), Todaiji Temple, the Great Bell, Nigatsu-do Hall and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

---

Photos

Toji Pagoda, Kyoto
The biggest in Japan.

Gion
Can you see the Geisha? ... Me neither!

In our room at the Ryokan
Mum trying to drink the green tea. hahaha.

Oh deer
Me and some deer by a couple of lanterns in Nara.

The main street of Nara
Mum looks lost

Kofukuji Temple
Three-storied pagoda in the background

Kofukuji Temple Pagoda
Mum and I posing.

Deer biscuits in Nara!
The deer told me they tasted like sushi.

Colourful carp
In a pond by Nara National Museum

Daibutsuden Hall
It has a big Buddha inside...

A woman trying to fit through the hole at Daibutsuden
The hole is the same size as Buddha's nostril and if you can fit through it you are supposed to be as wise as Buddha. I am already wise and knew not to try with my big European body :)

Pocari Sweat vending machine
Mmmmmm.... salty!

Another Nara Deer
In front of one of the buildings at Todaiji Temple.

Taking the dog for a walk?!
I felt embarassed for the dog.

Nigatsu-do Hall
Argh, more steps.

Looking down over Nara
From Nigatsu-do Hall.

Inside Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Rows of lanterns.