The train station was a 15 minute walk from the Matsubaya Inn (Y12800). We lucked out when we were offered a studio apartment instead of a traditional room. We had a twin bed room with a sink and fridge so we were able to buy breakfast things to eat in our room. The hotel was close to Higashi Hongan-ji (1895) and Nishi Hongan-ji temples (1591).
Unfortunately our visit coincided with a typhoon that passed over Japan and the epicentre was Kyoto! This meant we had 3 days of drizzle that became heavy rain but fortunately the worst of the storm hit while we were asleep.
Nijo-jo castle was built in 1603 and was a Shogun residence. The floors are wooden and constructed so that they squeak when walked on. This was to warn of intruders and they are called Nightingale floors. The interiors are very large rooms divided by sliding screens where the shoguns visitors would wait. The shoguns's private quarters are smaller and more cosy but still very plain.
The Gion district is were most of the Buddhist temples are located. We only visited a few because the weather was so dreary and wet!
Many of the kimono-clad women (and men) are actually Japanese tourists who hire the outfits and walk (or stotter because of the tight kimonos) about the traditional quarter of Gion. They're quite happy to have their photo taken.
The train station was a 15 minute walk from the Matsubaya Inn (Y12800). We lucked out when we were offered a studio apartment instead of a traditional room. We had a twin bed room with a sink and fridge so we were able to buy breakfast things to eat in our room. The hotel was close to Higashi Hongan-ji (1895) and Nishi Hongan-ji temples (1591).
Unfortunately our visit coincided with a typhoon that passed over Japan and the epicentre was Kyoto! This meant we had 3 days of drizzle that became heavy rain but fortunately the worst of the storm hit while we were asleep.
Nijo-jo castle was built in 1603 and was a Shogun residence. The floors are wooden and constructed so that they squeak when walked on. This was to warn of intruders and they are called Nightingale floors. The interiors are very large rooms divided by sliding screens where the shoguns visitors would wait. The shoguns's private quarters are smaller and more cosy but still very plain.
The Gion district is were most of the Buddhist temples are located. We only visited a few because the weather was so dreary and wet!
Many of the kimono-clad women (and men) are actually Japanese tourists who hire the outfits and walk (or stotter because of the tight kimonos) about the traditional quarter of Gion. They're quite happy to have their photo taken.
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