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Last day in Kyoto area, and it went well. Much better than yesterday. Got an earlier start. Prontos for breakfast, just across the bridge, then caught the subway in to Kyoto station. Used our JR rail passes to get to Arashiyama. We thought the scenic rail train was not operating on Wednesdays, but it was today, so we got straight on the 10.07am train and took a retunr trip to Kameoki. Nice scenery beside the Hozugawa River before breaking out back in to civilization at Kameoki, never far away in Japan. The walk through the bamboo grove from Torokko Arashiyama station was beautiful with the rainy conditions adding to the atmosphere. Tenryuji Temple was also atmospheric in the rainy weather, although there are always lots of people about....I suppose we are in Japan! Nice lunch at a small cafe back in Arashiyama then beat a quick retreat back to Kyoto...still drizzly rain. The choice of a visit to Sanjusangendo Temple in the afternoon was a good one. Spectacular old wooden hall with 1000 buddhas (actually the buddhist deity Juichimen-senjusengen Kanzeon ("Kannon" for short) surround one large buddha, dating from the 12th and 13th century. Very impressive even if the trip was shared with dozens of local school students (being bumped into, ribs prodded accidently....oh sorry, sorry, sorry!). The day finished with the cultural show at Gion Corner....very well put together sample of Japanese culture. Off to Miyajima tomorrow!
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