Kyoto

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Kyoto was the capital of Japan from 794 AD through 1868 AD. The capital then moved to Edo (now known as Tokyo). Kyoto was an amazing mixture of old and new as can be seen in our pictures. Kyoto was also the site for the 1997 international protocol on green house gas emissions which bears its name.

We spent two days in Kyoto and visited many of the shrines and temples in the area, such as the Golden Pavilion, the Ryoanji Temple, the Nijo Castle, the Heian Jingu Shrine, and the Kiyomizudera Temple.

We also found ourselves in the Gion Corner area of Kyoto in the evening and we saw many young Japanese woman walking around in what appeared to be prom dresses (We didn't take pictures). They were walking alone and each entered establishments with names like “The Secret Dance” and “The Gentlemen’s Club.” We later asked our Taxi driver and he said that Gion is the area of Kyoto where wealthy men come from Tokyo to court Geishas. He said that they dance and sing by appointment only for about $500 for a two hour session, but that they are not prostitutes. The below Geisha link confirms the Taxi driver's statements.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%8Dan-ji
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nijo_Castle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heian_Jingu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyomizu-dera
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisha

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Photos

Fat Guy
This fat guy seemed to be everywhere we went in Japan. Must be famous?

7-11 Market
We are sitting on a curb in the 7-11 parking lot eating what appeared to be potato chips. I don't think we are in Kansas anymore Toto.

Godzilla
He really is that big!