This morning took the train to Kyoto. On the way you can see Mount Fuji in the distance completely white. Hard to take pics as too many telegraph poles and buildings get in the way. Got a one day bus pass at Kyoto for $6, another good tip I was given. Tried to find the capsule hotel and had to ask passers by again. Once there they start your 17h from when you check in and since it was only 11am they said I would have to check out at 5am so i just left my bag in the locker.
First took the bus to Nijo Castle. This was a long zig zagged type building with sliding doors and wall artwork. Interior had royal courts re-enactments with manniquins, like in the movies, but no photography was allowed. Kyoto is like Gyeongju in Korea. It was the original capital and is littered with many historical sites. The further out you get from the town centre the more grander and eleborate they become Mt Fuji. I tried to find a route where I would hit as many as I could since I only had a day and you really need 3 days to explore proper. First headed for Hain Temple. There are so many other temples not even mentioned in my guide book. After I got off at the stop there was one in the opposite direction. Went there and it was a giant wood log structure a bit germanic looking. It was a very large complex inside and they were charging 600y admission, so I skipped as didnt want to get stuck in one spot but had good pics from the outside Then went to the Hein Temple. This was a large orange coloured complex. Similar to Korean temples, you go thru a main gate to a large square courtyard with buildings each side, leading to more further behind. Again they were charging 600y to go inside the grounds and ponds so I skipped due to time. The road heading away had a large giant orange arch. Then headed to Shoren-in temple, which again was charging admission. Next to that was Chion-in temple which was free and a giant wood log structure again. It says it is the largest gate/tower in japan. You can climb to the top but my legs were already feeling it from each days walking JR Bullet Train. You sometimes see a geisha giving an old man a private tour around the city. Then tried to take the bus back near the centre. There is a temple that says is hallucinatory as there are mirrors on all fours sides so thousands of buddhas. Got there at 3.40 and they stop selling tickets at 3.30 coz they close 4pm. Also the Kyoto national musuem was across the road but also closed today
Buses are annyoing too. You get on the back doors and leave from the front doors after you validate your ticket with the driver. This means you have to push your way thru a crowded bus all the way to the front. I was at my stop near the back door which was packed full. The door opened to let more passengers in on so I couldnt move. I tried to tell people I wanted to get off but they refused to let me off and signalled the front door. Next stop I had to shove thru everyone to the front, it was the only way to get off. How ridiculous. Then found this other temple, Hongan-ji, which is said to be the largest wood structue in the world. It was under some restoration. Then tried to get to Toji Tower which was hard to get to. Got there at 4.50 and it closes 5 Entrance to Nijo Castle. The car park guy let me in the gate after showing him my watch. Then they were charging 800y so I just wanted to take a pic thru the railings coz it was closing. I was happy to take a pic thru the gate but the guy said I could go in just be back by 5. So I ran thru the grounds and took lots of pics. 800y is maybe too much compared to other complexes much larger for 600y, but glad I got in for free, great shots. You cant go in the tower and there's just landscaping around, no other buildings. Then checked into the capsule hotel. This is actually very clinical, ikea looking, and more touristy than the tokyo one which was genuine and used by japanese businessmen. This one is just tourists. Lucky they have a plug in the capsule to charge my batteries.　Locker has a jumpsuit for sleepwear and toiletries provided but I'm keeping my bag in the capsule instead of taking the elevator back and forth to lockers. Capsule is very roomy but no tv and no spa in the shower rooms. (See Later Entry for Japan Hotels Pics) Then after dinner (tempura shrimp, and corn omlette with rice), went to Pontocho Alley. Says it was the gay area but it was very touristy with restaurants Nijo Castle Manniquins . They have a canal running down so a bit like Amsterdam with all the riverside restaurants. After that went to Gion the Gaisha district. Hard to take pics as dont want to do it face on, or they are running and moving quick, or with male clients, and dont want to cause a scene. There were no tourists and nobody taking pics so not sure what the etiquette was? Again, like amsterdam red light district with the alleys, but timber housing also gives a medieval european feel too. video : Kyoto Pontocho Alley
http://www.you tube.com/watch?v=Fd3uGd8gS7o video : Gion Geisha District http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZHgKrG_ SnQ There was a grand opera house with performances but closed today. Internet cafe is hard to find. $5 for 30 min and screwed up keyboard keeps reverting to japanese. The spacebar is the size of the tab key and the toggle button is next to it so you keep hitting the toggle button by mistake. Kyoto was a much sleepier town compared to Tokyo. No high rises or neon signs. Very bike friendly with bike lanes being used everywhere. Tomorrow take the Nara train south and get off at Fushimi temple, then onto Nara, and finally Osaka for some rest. Still unsure about the rain, now its forecast to come back. Japan also wins award for cleanest country ORIGINAL ENTRY WITH ALL PICS IS HERE Read more: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ntries/londone7/1/1297327070/tpod.html# ixzz1ch1YhLno