Temples, gardens, and castles oh my!

First close up of a major ancient reptile. Very cool...
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Once I actually escaped from Tokyo (which was hard to do) I took the Shinkansen (bullet train) down to the former capitol of Japan, Kyoto. I walked out of the train station to find my first real rain storm...supposedly there was a typhoon coming in.

Kyoto was amazingly beautiful,even in the rain. So much so that after a while it became too much beauty for one man to handle. And I walked so much on the first day there that my feet could not appreciate what my eyes were seeing.

Kyoto was amazingly beautiful,even in the rain.

The biggest graveyard I have ever seen. It just went on forever up and down the mountain at Kiyomizu-dera.
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I pounded pavement to so many temples and gardens that my perception of time  began to change. Back home if I went somewhere special it was usually one thing a day, weekend, week, or month. Here I see so many special places in a single day that it becomes difficult to tell how much time has passed. I feel like it should be days and it's only been one or two. This culture has a great dichotomy in the balance of nature and civilization. Everywhere within cities can be found little islands of green and harmony. Unfortunately most of them were made before the advent of the grand noise machines that blast through our skies and down our concrete pathways. And I seriously doubt if they were made with tourism in mind. But who am I to complain. In the old days noone but the elite would have been allowed anywhere near these places.

Look I almost match the curtains.
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My favorite places were Ginkaku-ji, Kinkakuji, Sanjusange-do, Nijo and Hemiji castles. The first two are known as the Gold and silver temples respectively. The gold one is covered in gold leaf. The silver one never got it's silver covering but it has such lovely landscaping that the precious metal coating of the building is barely missed. Sanjusangen-do had 1000 full size statues of Kannon (buddha like entities) and 33 brilliant statues of gods gaurding one giant budhaa statue. Unfortunately pictures were not allowed in this place. Nijo castle is in Kyoto and is known for its interior panel paintings, which were also not allowed to be photographed. Hemiji castle, situated a day trip away by train, allowed as many pictures as I wanted. It's awe inspiring on the outside, but the inside is strictly business. All about defending the Imperial family and killing the enemy. I am sure it would have been good at both, but it was never tested in battle.

Kiyomizu-dera.
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I am in Fukuoka now with my friends Jon and Kieko. They have been kind enough to let me stay at their apartment and show me around a bit. In a couple of days I go to Korea. Not a planned part of my trip, but a necessary addendum as it is the only way for me to get to China at a reasonable price with such short notice.

Japan has been great. Love to live here for a while. Wish the language wasn't so hard.

It may be awhile before I can post again. I have done this much through the graciousness of friends and the availability of their computers. It may not be so easy in other places.