Kyoto...

Formerly the capital of Japan, Kyoto is known for being the city that strongly holds true to the traditions of the past. At first glance of the city, you wouldn't think so. It's just as big and modern and bustling as everywhere else... But once you find the little side streets with the handmade crafts and pottery... the old buildings with sod roofs... and the temples OH the temples... you do feel somewhat thrown back in time.

At this time of year, people flock (and I mean FLOCK) to see the beautiful maple trees change colour. The colours are vibrant and very breath taking. These maple leaves are quite smaller than the ones back home, and so there's an added curiosity for those from North America.

The crowds through our trip were insane. Think about being hearded out of a concert hall after a show... now times that by ten and try being caught in it for hours... and that was Kyoto. Mind you, that was only on the small street on the way to Kiyomiszu-dera (Clear water) one of the most famous temples in Kyoto (my batteries died so there are no photos of it here... sorry!).

Anyways... enjoy this series of photos...

So Mel and I got lost... took the wrong bus... ended up on the *opposite* end of town than the crappy hostel we were supposed to be staying in. HOWEVER... we ended being dropped off right infront of what Lonely Planet calls "the best place to stay in Kyoto." The Uteno Youth Hostel was wicked. We had a great room, and the staff was very kind... and they had a beer vending machine, noodles, and ice cream. They also had an all you can eat breakfast that you could enjoy in the cafeteria overlooking the gardens in the back... It was wonderful! We are going to stay there again. --- Unfortunately our second night was in a HOLE on the other side of town... Mel and I had to chase this rude old man down the street as he rode his bike to bring us to our room. You'd think we'd be in the same building as the frontdesk... nope! We were blocks and blocks away in a rundown building. We slept in a sketchy little room on thin futons. There were things growing in the fridge... and there was no heat!!!

Me standing outside of "Zappas" a bar down an alleyway that both David Bowie and Bono have drank at. It was cozy and like most places we visited, a little steep in price. I ordered something called a "Jamaican Cowboy" which was Jamaican rum, espresso, and milk... pretty potent stuff.

Mel and our beloved travel bible... Lonely Planet's guide to Japan. Yes, she is sitting on the ground. We took the shinkansen to Kyoto. We paid roughly 50 bucks to ride for a quick half hour on the bullet train... and we didn't reserve seats so we were in a first come first serve section... well, there was no room at the inn, so we made our own seats. It was actually a lot of fun, and it was a good kickstart to our adventure. 

The view from my cozy floor seat. 

This hostel was SO kind that they were even concerned about my hair care. 

In the morning we rented bikes and checked out some temples nearby. This hostel had everything!!! We went the wrong way at first, but in doing so, we stumbled upon this peaceful lake and these long wooden boats. It was an incredible view with the mountains peaking through the morning fog in the background. 

The trail that leads to Kinkaku-ji. 

Some of the trees were SO red. 

Kinkaku-ji. The famed Golden Temple. One of Japan's most visited sites. The gold covered foiling gleamed in the morning sunlight. 

A lovely autumn morning. 

The big goldfish surrounding the temple were pretty friendly. This one was ready to hop out of the water to meet me. 

A picturesque Japanese scene. 

A pair of big chicks at the Samurai Movieland. You could walk through different movie sets and see some of your favourite super heroes. 

Mel diggin in to the biggest frying pan of eggs. This little boy isn't too sure what to think. 

ME AND VOLTRON!!!!!! YAAA! I love the green screens. 

An alleyway of one of the movie sets... 

At the Samurai Movieland you could pay abotu $100 and dress up like a samurai or a geisha. These school girls just had to get in on the fun. 

GODZILLA!!!! AHHHHH! 

Inside Zappa's... 

We randomly wandered into a bar called "Dracula" which was a soul bar... (the music, not the human essence) and it was dead empty, but the atmosphere was cool. The bartender was nice, and he made a mean white russian. Under the black lights my geijin card revealed this message... 1984 anyone? 

Chion-in temple... this is the largest temple gate in all of Japan, and the oldest of the present buildings to date are from the 17th century. 

People lighting large sticks of incense before going into the temple. Inside there was a ceremony going on (I think it might have been a funeral), the inside was decorated with golden lamps and elaborate architecture. The priests were chanting and ringing these huge beautiful bells. 

A lovely pond and stone bridge, in the background, another small temple. 

The steps decending from the temple. 

If that telephone wire wasn't in the way, this would've been a beautiful photo. That is a Japanese bride preparing for her big day just outside of one of the temples.