the Heian Jingu Shrine
he sells sweets
traditionally dressed maikos pose for the snapping cameras
because it is cherry blossom weekend
despite the rain it is a busy day at the temple
we visit an old alley with traditional restaurants, watch your step, it's slippery
at the Otowa waterfall many want to taste the kyomizu, or pure water
there is a great view to have from the Kuomizu balcony
The Kyomizu balcony rests on wooden pillars. Not a single nail was used for its construction
holy cow!
Kyoto
Kyoto was the capital of Japan and the seat of its emperors for more than a millennium before the imperial throne was relocated to Edo (Tokyo) in 1869.
 
Little is know from Kyoto's history before the impressive Shimogamo Shrine was built in the 6th century AD.
In 794 Emperor Kanmu
set up the brand new town Heian-Kyo here to escape the growing influence of the pushy Buddhist clergy in the old capital Nara.
He modelled his town  after the Tang city of Chang'an (Xian) in China.
In the 15th century Kyoto suffered major damage during the Onin civil War.

Unlike other cities in Japan, Kyoto was largely spared from US bombing raids during WorldWar II, and so the city still features scores of buildings and monuments from that imperial period.

In March 2006 we spent a full day of sightseeing old Kyoto, with many thanks to Yamasaki-san from Philips Japan who sacrificed his weekend to show us around.
 
It rained for most of the day, but we still got a good impression of the grandeur of this old capital of Japan.
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the Kara Mon or Chinese Gate in Nijo Castle gives passage to the Ninomaru Palace
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the gardens of the Ninomaru Palace are meticulously maintained
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A nicely dressed and smiling maiko
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of course we visit the must-see Kinkaku Ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion
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we conclude a long day of sightseeing with a real traditional Japanese dinner
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even when it is raining you can take nice pictures here
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