Tokyo

So, after Kyoto, my parents and I headed off to Tokyo, for some dining, karaoke, and sightseeing. After a couple days they had to return to America, but we did manage to see Tokyo Tower together. The view of the city was incredible.

Tokyo Tower from the outside, from a few blocks away

The view from the first deck

Pretty clear view of a soccer field

A Shinto altar inside the tower

View from the second deck

Pretty sure that's a pool

Some kind of promotion was going on, so the tower was all lit up

It's so much bigger up close

After my parents left, I still had a couple days in Tokyo. I decided to visit Sensoji in Asakusa. It's smaller in scale than the temples in Kyoto, but it's still a beautiful temple.

The temple's famous main gate, with statues of Raijin and Fujin

Raijin, the god of thunder

Fujin, the god of wind

Sakura flavored ice cream

A dragon fountain

A guardian statue in the image of Vajrapani

Two sitting Buddhas representing wisdom and mercy

A shrine attached to the temple

That same day, I also visited Joypolis in Odaiba, but most of the attractions there don't allow photography. All in all, I had an excellent trip across Japan. The next day was mostly spent on the train as I returned to Nagasaki to settle back in.

Travels in Kyoto.

Kyoto is one of the most beautiful cities I've been to. Our living quarters were excellent, we stayed at the Shunkoin Temple. There were meditation classes and tea ceremony in the morning, which I loved.

Garden at Shunkoin

Our first stop was Kiyomizu Temple, one of Kyoto's most famous temples. It was built without any nails, and is well known for its three streams that bring good fortune when you drink from them.

Entering Kiyomizu

Some visitors in Kimonos

The temple bell

A Jizo statue

This pavillion was lovely

The Jishu shrine is attached to Kiyomizu Temple, and is dedicated to Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, the god of love and matchmaking

He certainly did well with this pair

One of the love stones. If you can walk from one to the other with your eyes closed, you'll be able to make your love come to fruition

Needed some help, but I made it

View from the temple

Jishu Shrine from afar

Drinking from the stream

Temple garden

The next day, we visited Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion, another of Kyoto's iconic temples.

The next day, we were off to Tokyo, more on that to come