Spring Sidetrip: Kyoto

Once in awhile we find time (and money) to go outside of our beloved city, Fukuoka.  During the past Spring we hopped on a train to go to Kyoto.  It was my first time outside of the island og Kyushu so Asawa acted as my tour guide, and I acted as her official photographer.    Kyoto did not disappoint.  So many places have been hyped too much that when you get there you feel shortchanged, but Kyoto is one of those places where pictures and stories just wont do justice to actually experiencing this historic town.  Perhaps it helped that we were there during spring and we caught the peak of Sakura (cherry blossoms), but I would later learn from Asawa’s professor, that he actually visits Kyoto four times a year (once per season) because it is uniquely beautiful in each season.  Kyoto is an amazing place to visit all year round.

Every corner is a discovery of thousands of years of history.  Lonely Planet, the leading english travel guide reserves its superlatives to those that really deserve it, so when it says that the worlds most beautiful road is in Kyoto, they really mean it. (I did not post a photo here, as it is better to see it with your own eyes).  Meanwhile here are some photos of other places in Kyoto.

Kinkakuji Temple (金閣寺) is probably the most iconic symbol of Ancient Japan.  My first Japanese lesson book had it as its cover, as well as countless other books, magazines and websites abou It is said that only one monk put all the gold plates on the walls of the temple to ensure that equal pressure is applied to every part.

A family enjoys the Cherry Blossoms

We found our way into a private cherry blossom (Sakura) garden, where we found a long line of tourists waiting to view the garden for a fee.

Lovers Relax under Sakura stars

We enjoyed some traditional Kyoto snacks under the Sakura

Traditional and Modern worlds hold hands

Kimono Moment: 2 girls in Kimonos walk through an old street in the Gion area.

More blossoms over a lake near Kiyomizudera

Sunset at an old Kyoto Street in the Gion area

Kyoto was actually an initial target for the atomic bomb during World War II were it not for the intervention of an American general who did not allow it because he had his honeymoon in Kyoto and fell in love with the place.

Asawa's uncle and his family treated us to lunch

Coming back home to Fukuoka on a Bullet Train

Kyoto is the face of ancient Japan, with its famous landmarks and mysterious geishas.  I guess one can really make an argument that one has not seen Japan until he has seen Kyoto.

Getting There: To get to Kyoto from Fukuoka and or from Kyoto to Fukuoka, click here.