• login

Japan-Deva

Places to stay

In Kyoto, we stayed at the Hotel Granvia above the train station: Mini: PHP-GD image library not found. Exiting. I also highly recommend the nice hibachi place on one of the upper floors; the kobe beef with garlic chips and wasabi is terrific.

Just for interest, here's some photos of a ryokan (traditional inn); they're not all like this, but it'll give you an impression. Mini: PHP-GD image library not found. Exiting.

While you're in Kyoto, eat some yudofu, incredibly good tofu-based dinner near nanzenji; see e.g. http://www.kyoto.travel/dining/yu_dofu.html Mini: PHP-GD image library not found. Exiting. We ate at a place called Okutan, apparently.

Stuff to do in / near Kyoto

Most of these are pretty close to one another, and can be walked between if you have an afternoon free; or just take a bus from the train station to get there directly.

• Kiyomizudera, the "Water Temple":

Mini: PHP-GD image library not found. Exiting.

• Kinkakuji, the "Golden Pavillion Temple" (actually gold leaf, at least originally; very over the top)

Mini: PHP-GD image library not found. Exiting.

• Ginkakuji, the "Silver Pavillion Temple" (not actually silver, but meant to reflect moonlight)

Mini: PHP-GD image library not found. Exiting.

• Three famous zen gardens ("dry" rock gardens and moss gardens), Ryoanji, Nanzenji, and Konchiin (next to Najzenji), which have all by now slightly blurred together for me:

Mini: PHP-GD image library not found. Exiting. Don't forget to eat some yudofu hear nanzenji.

• Sanjusangendo, which sports 1001 individual gilded statues of Kannon

Further away (~1-2 hrs by train? = half-day or day trips):

• Nara, capital of Japan until maybe 800AD, home to a giant Budda, the worlds-largest wooden building (2/3 size the original, which burned down), and packs of feral attack-deer out for snacks:

Mini: PHP-GD image library not found. Exiting.

• Himeji Castle (in Himeji), Japan's largest remaining castle and open for tours:

Mini: PHP-GD image library not found. Exiting.

Near Tokyo

• Fish market (~7am)
• Kamakura
• Nikko