Kyoto - Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010

Saturday we took an all-day trip from Yokosuka to Kyoto and back. Not recommended as a one-day tour, but it was all that we had.  We began by boarding the local JR train at 6:30 am to Shin-Yokohama (that's with two transfers), and then aboard the Shinkansen at 7:52 am.  You cannot believe what a challenge this was to accomplish unless you have tried to figure out the Japan Rail system with very little experience!!! But we made it.  The Shinkansen is a marvelous type of train, of which there are several varieties across Japan.  The train ride feels like an airplane-- smooth and fast -- with much more leg room!  We want through many tunnels, and at one point we were high up in the mountains where it was actually still snowing, but then we descended again and there was no more snow, thank goodness. The countryside that is not on the plains is quite rugged, which I found kind of interesting.  In the higher areas there are more evergreen types of trees, which is quite different from the lower plains where most of the trees are leafless at this time of the year.

One of the sights along the way was Mount Fuji, covered with snow.

This is the front of the very modern Kyoto Station.

Kyoto is so different from the other cities we have been in.  There are lots of older buildings, and dozens (probably hundreds) of temples and shrines.  We didn't have a lot of time, but we managed to visit Nojoji Castle and some other places that I will write about when I have more time and my notes.  I've posted some photos here, just a sample.

This is us in front of Nojoji Castle in Kyoto.

This is the palace main gate, inside the castle wall and moat.

                                                        

One more picture for now; I've got to go to bed because we are leaving tomorrow.

One of many very large temples:

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Earlier in the week we traveled to Kamakura and saw the Great Buddha.

Today we hung out in Yokosuka, and I went shopping with Mike and his buddy Munch. I'll post more pictures tomorrow, and put them all on Flickr when we get home.

This has been a most amazing adventure of a lifetime. Some disappointments, some great moments. A super visit with Mike. Thanks to God for our blessings and good fortune!