Kyoto, Japan [Part 5]

Here's part 5. This will most likely be the last update in regards to my Japan trip.


Ginkaku-ji - temple of the silver pavilion.


This is what happens when you don't bother taking notes during the trip - you forget wherever 'here' is when you go back to view your own pictures. Needless to say, this is another one of Japan's many temples.












I may not remember where 'here' is, but at least I recall that you'd use the water here to cleanse yourself spiritually, at least that's what the people here believed.














Imperial gardens.


You can see the castle to the rear.

Blog Post Format

I've recently received some complaints regarding slow download speeds when attempting to view my blog. After realizing that there are still many readers out there with slow internet speeds, I've decided to limit the number of posts shown at any one time to two. That means only the newest two posts will be shown, while the older posts will only be accessible through the "Blog Archives" section to the left. Hopefully all readers will be able to obtain tolerable download speeds after this change. Leave comments and let me know!

Cheers,
Solemn Observer
16 September 2007

Kyoto, Japan [Part 4]

Here's a few more pictures from my Kyoto trip.


Kimono (Japanese national costume - originally referring to all forms of clothing) show.




Typical Japanese 'lunch box'




On my way to take the Sagano Romantic Train to Arashiyama, a district in the outskirts of Kyoto. The name Arashiyama also refers to the mountain across the Oi River. The district is famous for its many tourist locations - namely the Moon Crossing Bridge (Togetsukyo Bridge), notable for its views of cherry blossoms; and the Iwatayama Monkey Park, where over 170 monkeys dwell (why on earth did I just mention that?!)


Train station where I await to board the Sagano train.


River view from train. It's moments like this when I curse myself for not bringing my Tamron telephoto lens; this particular picture was captured using my 17-40 L glass, not nearly long enough to do the scene justice.




Inside the Sagano train.




Entrance to Kyoto Station - the second largest train station (after Nagoya Station). Its 15-storied building incorporates a shopping mall, movie theatre, and a multistoried department store.


Inside the Kyoto Station.








This is what happens when you are lazy and don't bring your tripod with you - you shoot handheld instead in the dusk while quietly cursing yourself for your immense laziness.

That's all for today.

Cheers,
Solemn Observer
16 September 2007

Kyoto, Japan [Part 3]

Here's part 3 of my Kyoto photo collection. It's only been nearly two weeks since classes started, and I'm already behind in my readings (you'll note the plural form), so this post will be a bit short.


This is Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), formally known as Rokuon-ji (Deer Garden Temple). It was originally intended to be the retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, but was instead converted to a Zen temple by his son.






Entrance to Nijo Castle - built by Tokugawa Ieyasu (yes, the person who established the Tokugawa Shogunate) as the Kyoto residence for Tokugawa shoguns.













That's it for tonight - back to genetics.

Cheers,
Solemn Observer
14 September 2007

Kyoto, Japan [Part 2]

In this post we have Kiyomizu-dera (temple) and Gion district.


Heading for lunch in Uji City.








Gee, what's for lunch? Shrimp, rice, and...umm...hmm...don't know what the other things are. They were edible, at least.






FYI, my bus is the one on the left. "Why on earth would I want to know that?" You think to yourself.


Here we are at the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, stone-paved roads that lead up to the Kiyomizu-dera (temple). More on the temple later.






When the Japanese built corner-markets, this is what they had in mind. I guess the Western versions would serve as wholesalers for them.


I'm telling you, I can read EVERY single character on that sign. But what they mean in Japanese, I have no idea.




Outside a pottery classroom.


This is my second day in Kyoto, and I have yet to see a SUV on the road. Even their commercial trucks are small (believe me, I've seen pickup trucks in Van that are larger).




And here is the entrance to the Kiyomizu-dera. Kiyomizu literally means pure water, and the temple is so named owing to a waterfall inside the complex. It is most notable for its vast veranda,which is supported by hundreds of pillars, and the fact that not a single nail was used in its construction.


Approaching the main hall.






It was believed that if one were to jump off the veranda and survive the fall, then his or her wish would be granted. This belief was quite popular during the Edo period, which recorded 234 jumps, 85.4% of which survived.




Here you can get a better view of the veranda.




Here we have left the temple and are proceeding to Gion, a district of Kyoto. It is commonly mistaken as a red-light district, but as geisha are entertainers, not prostitutes, Gion is not, and never was, a red-light district. Also, geisha in Gion do not refer to themselves as geisha, instead they have opted for the local term, geiko, meaning, woman of art.


On a completely irrelevant side note, this is what mailbox looks like in Japan.


Here are the streets of Gion.










Well, after a day of walking, it's time for dinner.


I'd have preferred a nice, juicy steak, but alas, it's tempura, again.


Taken right outside the restaurant.

That's all for today, more to come tomorrow.

Cheers,
Solemn Observer
11 September 2007