Last nite sleeping in the capsule was a bit funny. the capsule itself is quite roomy and comfy. It has a feature where after you program the light it will power on and off in stages over 30 minutes to recreate a sunrise and sunset to help you sleep/wake up more naturally. After I programmed it didnt realize the light takes 30 mins to power down, coz I was trying to fall asleep and thought it would be on all nite which was very annoying. When I woke up later it was off. Wasnt really as impressed with this capsule compared to the Shinjuku one. First of all the look is too clinical and Ikea. I realize this was a marketing decision to make it look more futurusitic like from the 2001 movie. But it loses the authenticity and atmosphere of the real capsule hotels. They were used by japanese business men wearing kimonos, with communal showers, saunas, and hot tubs. And they could even get a fresh shirt and tie with underwear and socks for the next day Fushimi Temple Entrance. This one was just young japanese, probably students, and foreign tourists, so not the same atmosphere, and no hotub to relax for a good soak This morning took the train south to Nara. Nara was the original capital before Kyoto, and then Tokyo. Nara and Kyoto were capitals in the pre-industrial age so more temples and cultural heritage. Using Osaka as a base, Kyoto and Nara are both within a one hour circumference so an easy triangle to navigate.
On the line down from Kyoto to Nara is a temple called Fushimi, one of the most famous temples of Kyoto. This is really easy to get to on the JR pass, just take the local Nara train, get off, and hop back on to Nara. The stop was only 4 mins from Kyoto station so very easy. Also the platform is just a railway track that opens onto the temple grounds so no walking to get there.
This temple seemed to honour dogs as there were a lot of statues of dogs. Also cats roaming the place. Aside from shrines, the temple has lots of orange shaped arches. As you go further along they become a long corridor and a path thru the tunnel of arches. As you walk in they are plain orange. On your return you see inscriptions on the reverse Fushimi Ringing Bells. Definalty a must see sight of Kyoto.
I didnt know how long this path went as it started to branch out. I had checked out with my bag so was draging it on wheels with me. I asked some tourists how long it was and they said it loops around and maybe 4 km total. I didnt want to do that with my bag as some people were meditating and they could hear my wheels coming from a mile off, and there were a lot of steps in places where I had to keep lifting my bag. I headed back and checked the map. Luckily there was no big temple at the end, just a long circle trail. Took the train back down to Nara. This was a big train station and had lockers so I was able to dump the elephant rather than drag it by its trunk.
To describe Nara imagine central park, a big park area in downtown. Only Nara is not flat, has hills and steps to the shrines. So a short walk from the train station you entre the park. At first there is a three story pogada and behind a five storey one. Also there are lots of deer roaming around as they are said ot protect the park. The friendly lady at the tourist office told me the path to take to cover the best spots. A further walk was a large temple complex Todai-ji Fushimi Trail Entrance. In here is a giant bronze buddha. You had to pay to get in and wasnt sure if you could take pictures, and if they would come out due to scale and darkness. Took pics of the complex from outside which was pretty impressive anyway. Japanese tend to build their temples of dark timber whereas koreans paint them green and red with other designs. Japan leaves them blank timber which gives them a germanic look. Further on was a spot the tourist lady told me where you can overlook the park. Going further around the perimiter was another famous shrine you had to pay to get in. Didnt look too big and I could see lots of bells hanging. Then strayed outside the park into a residential area. The houses were nice. Seems outside tokyo most peolpe have houses. Kyoto was a quieter town with low rise buildings and no flashing neon sighs. Nara tended to be the same.
Trying to head back to the centre of the park passed thru an area where trees had cherry blossom. Then made it to the Nara national museum (yes, I am paying entrance fees as well btw). This had some amazing statues in bronze, gold, and wood. Also was a gallery of hanging paintings. They were very strict on photography so all I could photo were the posters on the walls. But definately well worth the money. Fushimi Large ArchesI decided to the do the museum instead of the temples as I thought it would be a better cross section and less repetition. Also when I wanted to get an ice cream a group of deer were hanging around the vendor as they knew. Then they swarmed me so I couldnt pay the lady or take the cone. Then one was following me with really sad droopy eyes but I wasnt having none of it. There are no garbage cans anywhere as the deer mistake it for food. Needed to eat and found a large indoor shopping bazaar once I left the park. They had the same last nite in kyoto. Had tempura shrimp with rice and noodle soup. Also found some bakeries which taste amazing and only about $2 for most items. Not sure why koreans seem to hate bread so much? Took the train back down to Osaka. This JR pass is truly amazing. As mentioned, not only is it like a Via rail and GO train combo, but in big cities like tokyo and osaka they have JR train lines and both have overland circle line around downtown. So its almost like having a metro pass in each city as well.
Checked into my Osaka hotel which wasnt too far from Osaka station and not too hard to find this time. This is a japanese style room. After you open the room door, first you take your shoes off in a small reception area and behind the sliding doors is the room. It has bamboo lined floors and a floor mattress which is quite soft. There is no bathroom. instead there are taps outside in a trough for everyne to use. The showers are communal again and have a hot tub which I already had a soak in Fushimi Path Divides. Also I have a kimono to wear. The floor mattress makes the room much seem bigger. (See Later Entry Japan Hotels for Pics) The internet cafe here is also better than last nite. Kyoto was ridiculous $5 for 30 mins and keyboard was all messed up with a tiny space bar and kept reverting to japanese. This time I pay $4 for an hour and get a private room with a reclining leather chair. Again drinks are free, so had a glass of pop and two glasses of slushy. Tip to save money, dont goto 7-11 if you are going to an internet cafe!
Japan also wins the award for cleanest country. Even along the train tracks buildings are immaculate and no soot. Sorry Sweden and Netherlands, and Austria you need to clean up Vienna. JR pass is also the best investment in this trip. I think I will get my first nites proper rest as no more capsules. Even though they are comfy you still hear people in other capsules as you only have roll down blind and hear sound vibrations from neighbouring pods. Also in Shinjuku I could hear some peoples tvs. Found out there are lots of things to do in Osaka. In one place it says you can take an outdoor glass escalator on the 39th floor to a walkway joining two towers to get a city view. Not quite something I'd be able to handle. Anyway, I'll be back here in Sept to continue the trip down the to the tip of japan so will take it easy and just do the castle and the main sights tomorrow ORIGINAL ENTRY WITH ALL PICS IS HERE Read more: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ntries/londone7/1/1297327114/tpod.html# ixzz1ch20ZAUK