Saturday, March 26, 2016

The Spring Trip is concluded at the top of Mt. Inari!

Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine and thousands of Torii gates celebrated our successful trip on this final day.  Everyone made it to the top of Mt. Inari and we walked back to the train station through thousands of Torii gates.

Since it was the GOOD FRIDAY yesterday, we went to Kyoto's largest Catholic Cathedral in downtown where we dismissed!

Later they went to get some useful items at the 100 yen shop before heading to Korean BBQ place "Dai SHOGUN" in their hotel area!

No rain during the trip.  Though Sakura was not quite bloomed and chilly days continued, we could accomplish what we planned and ready for heading back to the States tomorrow!

Friday, March 25, 2016

Golden Pavilion and Rock Garden

Before all those tourists, we arrived at the Golden Pavilion but still very many people already there!  We walked from the Golden Pavilion to the Rock Garden (Ryoanji temple) to meditate a bit.

We had lunch at the cafeteria at Ritsumeikan University before heading to Hirano shrine where they are preparing the flower viewing tables.

Today is the only day of the month when the flea market is held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine so we did not miss this chance.

At night we had a group dinner and be ready for the next day.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Windy but with sunshine!

The end of the trip is closer and we haven't had any rain so we are quite lucky.

We began strolling the Kyoto's largest shrine garden in Heian Jingu Shrine and continued to walk to Nanzenji temple via Shingo's condo.

From Nanzenji temple we could walk through the Philosopher's Path from Nyakuoji Shrine to the Silver Pavilion from whose top of the mountain we could see beautiful Kyoto!

Shopping at the Kyoto Handicraft Center concluded today's program and be ready for tomorrow!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Super walking from the west to the east

Continuing beautiful day assisted us to walk a lot today.  We walk from the hotel to Nijo Castle via Sin'sen'en through allies.

After lunch break in Gion, we began walking from Yasaka Shrine to Kiyomizudera temple through Maruyama Park, Kodaiji temple, Ryouzen Kan'non, San'neizaka, Ninenzaka and Kiyomizuzaka.

This tour spot was really crowded so after visiting Jishu Shrine, going down the Tea Bowl Slope (Chawanzaka) to get to the main Street (Higashioji).

We continued to walk to Sanjusangendo temple where 1001 statues welcomed us.  At night we had a glimpse of Japanese traditional performance such as, tea ceremony, Ikebana, Koto, Gagaku, Kyogen and Bun'raku.

A lot of accomplishment!

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Buddhist Scripture Writing at Daikaku-ji temple and Kimono Show!

Another beautiful day encouraged us to go to a bit farther west to Daikaku-ji temple where everyone had a chance to experience writing the Han'nyashingyo scripture for the betterment of the life!  

From the temple we walked through so called Sagano Bamboo Forest Strolling to get to the Arashiyama Randen train station via Nonomiya Shrine which is famous for Tale of Genji.

Because the cherry hasn't been blooming yet, we alternate the schedule and visited Nishijin Textile Center where everyone can enjoy sopping and Kimono fashion show!

No rain with sunshine again!  Spring has really come!

Monday, March 21, 2016

The Osaka Castle and the Phoenix Pavilion!

A bit cooler but the beautiful weather continued. Our Keihan train day begins with the Osaka Castle from which the entire Osaka was very visible.  Everyone got even the soft serve before entering the castle!

Lunch break was at the Imperial Market Place next to the Panasonic Building.  On the way back to Kyoto, we stopped in Uji where we could visit the Phoenix Pavilion to compare with it in the ten yen coin.

Originally we planned to visit one more place in Fushimi but time was running out so we postponed!

Sunday, March 20, 2016

First Full day began with DEER in Nara!

Perfect weather welcomed us to Nara.   Many deer in Nara park pleased us and everyone got surprised with THE giant Buddha Image at Todaiji temple.  We walk through Todai ji huge temple complex including February Hall from which the entire Nara city can be seen!

We walked along Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine and Mt. Wakakusa to get to Kasuga Grand Shrine!

Lunch time at Higashimuki Shopping Street, then were heading back to Kyoto.

Scenery from the top of Kyoto Station Building was also superb!

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Spring Trip 2016 Launched!

It has been a while since last time I updated.  Well, it was at the last summer trip!

Spring Trip 2016 group is really small and having only 4 members yet we will be having a lot of fun here in Kyoto.

We took American Airlines most recent aircraft "DREAM LINER" to get to Narita Airport from which we too a train to Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

We made it just right to catch the scheduled domestic Japan Airline to reach Osaka Itami Airport from which we got top the hotel by monorail and subway!

Everyone seems tired with a good spirit!  We will go to Nara first tomorrow!