Kyoto

We took a high-speed train from Tokyo. It was really nice, and we even got a quick glimpse of Mount Fuji. 

The next day we saw a lot of the usual things you are supposed to do when in Kyoto.

Kinkakkuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) 

It was pretty crowded here, so it was difficult to get a group shot without anyone else in it.

Lucy ringing the bell with the help of our tour guide.

The Bamboo Grove

also crowded

The Gion District was pretty even though we didn't see any Geisha.

The was also the Monkey Park Iwatayama. This is home to a troop of over 120 Japanese Macaques. It was a pretty hike through the woods to an overlook at the top.

We saw plenty of monkeys roaming around, but if you wanted to feed them, then you would have to enter a cage and buy some peanuts or fruit to give them … from inside the cage. 

The next morning we went to Fushimi Inari, which is a shrine dedicated to the god Inari. It is most known for its 1000 red torii gates.

We actually took a “Hidden Hiking Tour” of Fushimi Inara and came up the back way. We started by going through an old temple area. No one was around. 

This was on the ceiling of the temple.

Then we entered the park and walked for about two miles before we saw even one person. It was lovely. We took a rest at a secluded shine with small red torii gates. 

Once we joined the main path, it was full of people. It was still really interesting going through the tunnel of gates.

Later we wandered around the Nishiki Market and took a stop at another animal cafe. This one was with toy poodles.

Nishiki Market was really fun to explore. There was a lot to see here and many foods to try. We didn’t take many photos, but had fun in this one black/white cafe.