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Hi everyone, I hope you enjoy reading about our first full day in Kyoto..........
Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence until 1868. It is now Japan's 7th largest city with a population of 1.4 million people. We chose to come here to soak up some of the history of Japan.
It is said that over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires but due to its historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and spared from air raids during WWII.
Today we had arranged for a local to be our guide for the day but before that we headed to breakfast at a coffee shop the boys had found just around from the hotel. Serving what I would call a Japanese influenced American style breakfast (everything served with ketchup - even the scrambled eggs) I think Ollie and Chelle ordered the best - french toast and pancakes. Although no cappuccino for Steve, it was a great breakfast and we will no doubt go back.
After breakfast we were met by a lovely gentlemen Mr Mitsuharu Nakagawa, our local guide. We had previously asked him to take us to sites that had historical significance for Ninja and Shoguns (the Japanese Generals). This request was driven by Brian and Steve's childhood wishes to be part of those TV show "The Samurai" (tragic I know). The guide had had planned the day starting with Kyoto Studio Park (Movie World in our language) where apparently one can dress up as a Samurai.
I think he was a bit perplexed as to why this was our first site seeing attraction in Kyoto given the many other places we could have started with - but it was a great way to be introduced to the Shogunate period of Japanese history.
Toei Kyoto Studio Park is the only theme park in Japan where you can observe the filming of period dramas (jidaigeki films). The Toei Kyoto Studio film set depicts a street from the Edo period, and is used to shoot more than 200 films per year.
We had front row seats to a Ninja show which was fantastic - a lot of fighting and acrobatics. Chelle and Brian also decided to venture into the historical costume disguise corner where they were each transformed into a star from a samurai movie - check out the pics!
We stocked up on Ninja accessories at the shops and then it was off for lunch at the nearest train station. The funny thing about Japan is that there are whole hubs built at or around the major train stations. Department stores, food halls, shops, bakeries, newsagents and even huge office blocks. Imagine choosing to go to Roma Street for lunch!!! We had a fabulous Japanese Tempura Curry for lunch and it was then time to visit Nijo Castle.
The Nijo Castle is famous in Shonguate history. The castle was completed during the reign of the last Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1626. The castle has two concentric rings of fortifications each consisting of a wall and a wide moat. We took a tour through Ninomaru Palace, a 3300 square meter building consisting of five connected separate buildings and built entirely of Hinoky cypress. The walls were decorated in gold leaf and elaborate wood carvings intended to impress visitors with the power and wealth of the shoguns. The building houses several different reception chambers, offices and living quarters of the shogun, where only female attendants were allowed! One of the most interesting features of the palace are the nightingale floors in the corridors. To protect the occupants from sneak attacks and assassins, the builders constructed the floors of the corridors in such a way as to squeak like birds when anyone walks on them. We all tried to walk so they wouldn't squeak - not possible!
The most fascinating part about the palace (at least I thought so) was that in 1867 it was the stage for the declaration by the reigning Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu to return authority of Japan back to the Emperor. At that time Kyoto ceased to be the capital of Japan and it became Tokyo.
It was then off to Kinkaku-ji - The Temple of the Golden Pavilion. It is a Zen Buddhist temple with the most amazing garden complex designed to illustrate the harmony between heaven and earth. It is also one of 17 locations comprising the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto World Heritage site
The golden pavilion is 3 stories high and the top two levels are covered in gold leaf which reflect the sun and is quite breathtaking. The pavilion is surrounded by gorgeous Japanese gardens which you meander through.
That was it for the tourists we were exhausted and headed back to the hotel although Brian and Steve then took off to some Irish Pub where they lined up bangers and mash and watched the Lions beat the Aussies. Chelle, Ollie and I went to a famous Japanese pancake restaurant for dinner where we chatted and experimented with the food. Not sure we were sold on the pancake which consists of flour, egg and finely chopped cabbage stuffed with corn, bacon and octopus legs!
Today we are venturing to the Gion area of Kyoto where working Geisha's can be seen. Apparently a lot of little streets with interesting shops - very exciting!!
Hope you are all well in Oz.
Lots of Love
Lisa
& Chelle, Ollie, Steve and Brian
- comments
Maree Sounds fascinating! You really cram a lot in! You can be my travel agent Lisa!