Tuesday 6 november 2018
Kyoto

Our excellent guides said that Monday was a light day, and that today would be more demanding. OK.

We took a long walk called the Philosopher’s Path, along a small canal, stopping along the way at a Shinto shrine. Two Zen Buddhist temples (both Heritage sites, both with multiple buildings and gardens) were the name attractions of the morning. Here’s one building an surrounding garden from the Ginkakuji “Silver Pavilion” site:

Another large lunch set us up for the Niji-Jo Castle, built in 1603 for the Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa.  We are fans of Samurai movies, and it’s great to see these sites in person. One of the rooms had mannequins of the Shogun and his assembled nobles . . . just like many scenes in the movies. Quite familiar and surprisingly heart-warming.

Here’s one of the interior gates . . .

and some detail of the underside:

The day included lots of walking, large sites, some crowds, unseasonably warm weather, and lots to absorb. After a brief respite at the hotel, the group went out for another multi-course dinner. Whew.