Saturday, April 9th: Ryoanji and Kinkakuji
Took the bus to Ryoanji to see the famous dry, zen garden. Where Erci and I first sat we could only see 13 rocks, but we both clearly felt a 14th, and were correct, but we could not find the 15th until we stood up and walked around.
Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion, is spectacular. Yes, that is two UNESCO World Heritage sights before lunch! Took a long, packed bus ride into Gion again to see more Sakura at Maruyama park, which was even more packed with celebrating locals and tourists than yesterday. It seems like all of Japan is here today. The cherry blossoms are amazingly beautiful and plentiful, and we managed to visit several of the stores mentioned in the "Old Kyoto" book. Jonathan started having spiking fevers, so we headed back to the hotel on foot through Gion and then along the Takase Canal, which turned out to have our favorite views of cherry blossoms yet. Quieter streets and walks with fewer people and blossoms dropping into the canal and flowing by. Jeff stayed in with Jonathan while Erci and I took Dan back to the fabulous Korean place off the Sanjo arcade.
Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion, is spectacular. Yes, that is two UNESCO World Heritage sights before lunch! Took a long, packed bus ride into Gion again to see more Sakura at Maruyama park, which was even more packed with celebrating locals and tourists than yesterday. It seems like all of Japan is here today. The cherry blossoms are amazingly beautiful and plentiful, and we managed to visit several of the stores mentioned in the "Old Kyoto" book. Jonathan started having spiking fevers, so we headed back to the hotel on foot through Gion and then along the Takase Canal, which turned out to have our favorite views of cherry blossoms yet. Quieter streets and walks with fewer people and blossoms dropping into the canal and flowing by. Jeff stayed in with Jonathan while Erci and I took Dan back to the fabulous Korean place off the Sanjo arcade.
by Scott Nolan | Permalink 
