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Arrived at Kobe at 6 am. We are to go to the ancient capital Kyoto (796 to 1867), but Margaret decided to stay on board to get better for Tokyo. So off I went alone.
I expected a lot from Kyoto (literally West capital) because it was the capital for about 1100 years. Our first visit was to the Nijo Castle built 1605-1626 for the Tokugowa Shoguns. It is a lovely simple building depicting the everyday life of the Shoguns (Military Dictators) and their 270 fuedal Lords. Made entirely of wood and paper each join is fixed by a single nail - but the nail might be 30cm long. It is famed for its nightingale floors an early warning system picked up from the Middle East to warn of intruders or enemies. It was used till 1867, when the 15th Shogun ceded power back to the Emporer Meiji. No pictures were allowed.
Next visit was Kinkaku The Golden Pavillon. It gets its name from the upper two floors being sheathed in gold foil. It is a major Buddhist site reputed to contain relics of Buddha. Originally it was owned by a statesman but te 3rd Shogun of the Muromachi Period acquired it. after his death it was converted to a temple with its own abbott. No one is allowed inside but the gardens are serene and beautiful
Next visit was to the Heian Jingu Shrine of the Shinto religion. It marked the beginning and end of the Heian Capital Kyoto and the two Emporers (50th and 121 st respectively) largely responsible for huge strides taken in the modernistion of Japan were deifyed and are entombed there. Today the shrine is regarded as the spiritual centre of Japan. I was disappointed in Kyoto because I expected to see a high proportion of historical buildings but none remain. As the guide said we saw the highlights, the rest is a commercial city
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