We got up early in the morning, got on the first bus to Osaka Itami Airport, and flew to Haneda, Tokyo.
Although everyone was sleepy from Haneda, we boarded the Japan Airline and headed to Chicago.
A few movies and nice JAL food entertained us while boarded.
The notorious long queue before the passport control at O'Hare International Airport was the final challenge against us as we were stuck for about 2,3 hours yet safely returned to Chicago.
First, we went to the Kyoto station by bus and got on the Kintetsu train to reach Nara.
While enjoying feeding deer we arrived at the Todaiji temple and observed the Giant Buddha image in the Great Buddha Hall, then April Hall and February Hall from which we could enjoy the great view of Nara city.
Then we proceeded to Wakakusa Mountain through Tamukeyama Hachimangu and finally got to Kasuga Grand Shrine before returning to Kyoto.
We will leave here in Kyoto at 5am and our Japan Airlines Flight will take us to Tokyo Haneda.
Rain in the early morning stopped and we could easily visit the Silver Pavilion from which we could walk along the Philosoper's Trail to Nyakuoji Shrine. Shingo's daughter's Japanese Jr. High School classmate lived there and she and her mother were happy to see Shingo bringing many American students there.
We left that shrine and walked to Nanzenji temple via Eikando temple. From Nanzenji temple, we went to Yasaka Shrine via Chion'in Temple. On its way, we saw Shingo's Condo. After having lunch, from Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park where we could enjoy the main Cherry blossom tree blooming.
Famous upward pathways led us to Kiyomizu temple from which we could have a nice view before going down from the temple using the Tea Bowl Path.
From Gojo, we went to the bank of the Kamo River and walked along the river to get to Shijo.
It was a bit tiring walk but felt good under the sun.
While still having good weather, we went through the Bamboo Trail in front of Nonomiya Shrine and Tenryuji Temple, to get to the top of the hill from which we could see Oi/Hozu River down and beautiful mountain.
After walking down to Oi River continued to walk along the river and got across the Togetsu Bridge to reach Mt. Iwata where the Monkey Park is located.
After having fun with the monkeys and going down from Monkey Mountain, we walked through Arashiyama Park to the Arashiyama Station.
Since the rain was predicted, everyone had free time in the afternoon.
Today is the only sunny day during this trip, which is rather pitiful but we could visit Osaka Castle where we had a good view of Osaka from the top of its main tower. Though the Cherry Blossom did not really bloom, we could sense the full bloom was coming soon!
In Osaka Business Park we had lunch before heading back to Kyoto. From Kyobashi station, the Keihan train took us to Uji where the Phoenix Pavilion awaited us.
On this rare sunny day, we could visit two significant historical locations luckily and our Trip is now getting into the last half.
It was raining a bit harder this morning, so today's plan was a bit modified but we went to Sanjusangendo to see the remarkable 1001 statues of Buddha for Mercy. This place is famous for Kyudo (Japanese archery). We walked around the Hall and some bloomed sakura.
The harder rain diverted our direction to Heian Jingu Shrine and its garden before heading to the Kyoto Handicraft Center where we enjoyed some shopping.
The afternoon is free until early evening to visit Gion Corner.
Though it was raining slightly, we could first go to the Golden Pavilion by the city bus and enjoy how shiny it was. We walked to Ryoanji Temple from the Golden Pavilion to enjoy its famous rock garden.
After visiting Ryoanji Temple, we had a lunch break at one of the cafeterias of Rotsumeikan University where Shingo was graduated from.
After lunch, we chose to walk to Hirano Shrine and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine where its monthly flea market.
We could manage the whole day without an umbrella unexpectedly. We walked through alleys behind the hotel to get to Nijo Castle vis Shinsen'en.
After walking through the squeaking floor in the Ninomaru Goten and around the surrounding garden, the Kyoto city subway took us to the Daigo-ji temple complex to enjoy two gardens and a museum.
After eating lunch in the Daigo station area shopping mall, we headed back to the center of the city.
Starting from the front of Kyoto City Hall, we had an introductory walk on Teramachi and Shinkyotogoku Shopping Street to get to the Kawaramachi station where we dismissed.
We walked about 23000 steps today.
We left Chicago on time in the snow and arrived in Tokyo, then Osaka in slight rain. Everyone is excited and ready for the whole week Kyoto trip.
From Osaka Airport we took Osaka Monorail and Hankyu Railway to get to the hotel, where everyone got a membership of it hotel chain.
Tomorrow will begin with Nijo Castle though not blooming yet.
