Genevieve: We took the shinkansen (bullet train) down to Kyoto last month for a small vacation. I personally love Kyoto, and would be happy as a clam to live there. Compared to Tokyo, the people seem more laid back, the city is more open and bicycle friendly, and I like the food better too. It helps a lot that I lived there for 6 months 10 yrs ago, so I’m familiar with the layout of the city. Kyoto is the old capital of Japan and is temple and shrine central. There are 2 main religions in Japan–buddhism and shintoism–and both are very well represented  in Kyoto. You could literally spend weeks just visiting shrines and temples, but it does get old after a while (esp when you have a 2 yr old), so we found a lot of other things to do as well.

The first day we took it fairly easy and checked out Nanzenji (see pics of Nanzenji: View of foliage from top floor of Sanmon (Gate of Nanzenji) Coming down VERY steep stairs of Sanmon (gate of Nanzenji) View from Sanmon Gate, View of Sanmon from the ground) a very well known Zen temple at the foot of Kyoto’s eastern hills. There are many smaller sub temples within the complex and we were lucky enough to visit one of these as well. Named Konchi-in, it has a beautiful moss and rock garden and some very old and beautiful buildings. Click here for pics of Steps at Konchi-in, Genevieve and Kenji at Konchi-in, Kenji at Konchi-in, Genevieve and Walter at Konchi-in, Walter and Kenji walking by tree roots.

We also went to one of my favorite streets in Kyoto, Teramachi (literally translates to temple street), which is not only lined with temples (hence the name) but is also home to many antique shops, tea shops, and specialty stores (see pic: One of the temples along Teramachi). One of those stores is this amazing paper shop where I used to spend wads of cash on beautiful washi (handmade paper) to line books that I made along with paper for printing woodblocks on. Next store to the paper shop is one of the most famous tea shops in Japan, Ippodo. Unfortunately, formal tea shops and Kenji don’t mix, so we weren’t able to go inside. But my mother (who studies chado/japanese tea ceremony) checked it out and enjoyed a bowl of tea there with her friend who lives in Kyoto. Here are some pics my mom took at the shop when she went: Mom in front of Ippodo,Hostess making tea in Ippodo.

A trip to Kyoto isn’t complete without visiting Kiyomizudera, which is perched on the side of a mountain with a gorgeous view of Kyoto. It is overwhelmed with tourists and schoolchildren (almost all Japanese have been there for a school trip–see pic with sea of yellow hats in the background) most of the time, but it’s truly worth battling the crowds to see this magnificent temple. We ate a lovely lunch of Yudofu (hot boiled tofu) and kitsune* udon (thick wheat noodles with aburage or fried seasoned tofu skin). Japanese food can be so simple and satisfying…I love it! Click the following for some pics of Kiyomzidera: Walter and Kenji at steps to temple, Close-up of Kiyomizudera building, Kenji at water basin, Genevieve and Kenji with main Kiyomizu temple in background, Foliage and pagoda at Kiyomizu, Enjoying lunch at Kiyomizu, My handsome hubby at lunchtime, Healing waterfall at Kiyomizu, Kenji giving coins to Monks.

*note: Kitsune means fox. People believed foxes have supernational power and like aburage.

Part 2 of this post will come later since I’m tired and this post is already getting too long.