2011 Taiwan Kansai 1 Japan

next.gif

I took a night bus from Tokyo to get Kyoto. It was rainy when I left Tokyo but it became a nicer day when I arrived in Kyoto.

(1) Kyoto Station

Many people starts their Kyoto exploration from the Kyoto station.
ry%3D480

A clean, shiny limited express train in Japan. But it costs almost twice as much as compared to prices in Taiwan. This is more like railroad services in Germany versus railroad services in Italy.
ry%3D480

(2) Ni-jo castle

I have been to Ni-jo castle once in the past, probably around two decades ago.
This castle was used as a residence for Shogun while he was in Kyoto. It has wonderful gardens and is known for its cherry blossoms (in spring time).
ry%3D480

ry%3D480
ry%3D580

Not many tourists were visiting this and other metal-plated gates to the castle while many tourists flocked around the decorated karamon.
ry%3D580

ry%3D480

Heavily decorated Karamon

Karamon are often used at the entrances of Japanese castles, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, and have historically been a symbol of authority." (Wikipedia)
ry%3D480

I came across a wedding in the Ni-jo castle. Was it a royal wedding?
No, the castle offers wedding plans to any couple who wish to tie the knot. The price was not extremely expensive (the ceremony costs 600,000 yen (approx $7,700)).
ry%3D480

back2top.gif
Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License