Kyoto, the Thousand-Year Capital
After spending the last couple of days in Kyushu visiting relatives, Brian and I arrived in beautiful Kyoto.
Our dear friend Jeannine flew in from San Francisco, and met up with us!
Kyoto is located in central Honshu. It was formerly the Imperial capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years, and now the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region. Because of its vast history and importance, Kyoto to this day is known as the "Thousand-Year Capital."
Although most Japanese cities were bombed and completely destroyed by the US during WWII, Kyoto was considered as an atomic bomb target but spared. Nagasaki was selected instead. Because conventional bombing spared Kyoto as well, the Thousand-Year Capital was one of the few Japanese cities that have prewar buildings such as traditional townhouses known as machiya that survived.
Today you will see many prewar buildings and sites in Kyoto's Gion district, and tourists have more than 2,000 temples and shrines to see in Kyoto.
Here are some photos from Brian, Jeannine, and my tour of the beautiful Thousand-Year Capital:
Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion
At Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion
Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion
Bridge at the Imperial Palace
Imperial Palace
Nijo Castle
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, where the famed red Tori gates are
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Companies and individuals sponsor the red Tori gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Kind of creepy at night.
Brian and I at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Candid pose at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Colorful fans in Kyoto
Kiyomizu Temple in Gion District
The 3-tier pavilion at Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu Temple
Chinese tourists filling their water bottles, holding the line at Kiyomizu Temple
Can't remember the name of this temple, but it was beautiful in Gion
Adorable Buddhas at Arashiyama