Niji-jo, or Nijo Castle. This was right down the street from where I was staying with Megs
Inside Nijo-jo's grounds... this is the roof of the shogunate's old castle. This place was neat since it had what they called "Nightengale Floors". When you walk on the floors, they chrip like songbirds! That way, no one could walk around without the guards hearing them. Talk about cool security systems.
Just more of the Nijo-jo grounds.
The street outside Megan's apartment. So different than home!
Tanisha, me, and Megs at Karaoke my second night in town. That was fun times.
The outside of Kyoto-eki, or Kyoto Train Station. The tower being reflected is Kyoto Tower (and it looks prettier this way, trust me).
Inside Kyoto-eki. That tree is ginormous...
On the way to Fushimi-Inarii.
The outside of Fushimi-Inarii. The foxes represent prosperity, I believe, and Inarii shrines are where many businessmen pray.
Some of the thousands of Torii (gates) that make Fushimi-Inarii famous.
More gates
Mmm... moss...
More torii. There are miles of trails.
A different type of tori, a bit shorter, and closer together. It was full night by this time, so it was kinda neat and creepy in there.
If we look crazy... it's because we are. :)
The fox god at night time.
Kyoto-eki at night, all lit up.
This is Arashiyama, to the west of the city. Gorgeous mountain area.
There was a festival in Arashiyama the day we went, so lots of people and neat things going on.
Mmm... Green Tea softserve ice cream.
Heading up to the Monkey Park.
... this guy was climbing up the stairs with us.
MONKIES! They were waaaay close.
Fall colors starting to emerge in the mountains.
This guy was 10 feet away from me.
They were cleaning each other. Too cute.
Yeah, the only safe way to get close to these guys. This was after we watched them attack someone dumb enough to look them dead in the eyes (that's a challange to them).
Megan, Tanisha, and I at the top of the mountain the monkey park was on. We were a bit nervous at the monkey being so close (they'd been fighting).
Koi. Purty.
Part of the festival was flying these massive strings of kites. It took all those people to keep it from flying away.
The festival was celebrating Japanese and Korean cultures and relationships. I believe the people dancing on the island represent Korean priests.
Mmm... meat on a stick
The massive strings of kites.
Purty leaves.
Megs and Tanisha, riding off to class.
I think they were trimming the trees for winter, but I never found out. It just looked neat.
A shinto shrine.
The cow means the shrine is for knowledge.
Mums! These were amazing looking, at another Shinto shrine, for women.
The original Nintendo Building. In English...
... and in Japanese!
It got stormy on this tour I was on. But it made the mountains beautiful.
One of the pagoda's at Kiyumizu-dera.
The view off the mountain from Kiyumizu-dera.
Kiyumizu-dera itself. It's on the eastern side of the city, at the edge of the woods. Its gorgeous.
The sun peeked through.
Full shot of Kiyumizu-dera
Yeah, I took a lot of shots of the temple.
Outside Sanjyusangendo, an amazing shrine to the Goddess Kannon. Inside that building are 1000 statues of her, including a giant one that goes from floor to ceiling (like 30 ft tall). It's amazing.
Just one of the temple decorations at Sanjyusangendo.
At the Kyoto Museum. The trees were lovely.
Eating sushi. That place was awesome. No waiters!
More turning leaves.
If it looks like I'm about to fall of, it's because I was about to fall off. But I had to try.
Sitting outside the entrace to the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.
Just another view of the garden at the imperial palace. The symbol in the hillside? They apparently set that on fire sometime during the year.
Our first morning in Tokyo. Coffee was needed.
As was sustenance.
I was fried.
Shibuya? Biggest Disney store EVER. It was so cute inside too.
Tokyo Tower! I was so disappointed... Godzilla didn't attack while we were there.
OMG! Feet! (glass floors are fun).
A cemetary. It just looked neat from the observation deck of the tower.
Dude... the McDonalds in Japan is awesome.
Akihabara at night!
GAMERS!!!
Ginza district at night.
I swear I was in Japan... This is the train to Narita Airport. The windmill threw me off.
Last sight before getting to the airport. Japanese countryside.
