Alongside was Tenryuji Temple, built in the 1300s and the head temple of the branch Rinzai Zen Buddhism. The gardens were nice, but I believe we are now on the path of diminishing returns from temple visits.
The temple is on the Katsura River. The Togetsu-Kyo Bridg is a major attraction...
..even setting the backdrop for a professional maiko shoot - which we of course took advantage of.
Boating was also an option.
Another train trip and it was Fushimi Irani Shrine. One of Kyotos most popular and sure to feature in any Kyoto tourism brochures. The big attraction are the 8000 odd orange tori gates leading up the mountain.
This is the entrance..
...which leads to the main shrine..
..and beyond the rows of tori gates, a photographers heaven.
Don't be fooled, it took a lot of waiting and editing to get photos without a crowd.
Lunch was calling so we headed back to Kyoto Station to the well reputed Ramen Street on the 10 th Floor of the station building. It was a long ride up maybe 8 interconnected escalators to get there, but the views were great.
Even though there were 8 different ramen restaurants, all had queues. After about 15 minutes waiting we made it. Ramen at last - and it was good too.
We headed home after lunch to avoid the hottest part of the day. At 4:30 we went into Kyoto Station and walked along the river to Gion. We went to a cultural show at Gion Corner, seeing chado, or a traditional tea making ceremony...
..koto, or Japanese harp playing combined with kado, flower arrangement...
...gagaku, or court and Shinto temple music and dancing..
..kyomai, or traditional Kyoto style dancing by a maiko..
..and bunraku, or a traditional puppet play. All very colourful, but once is enough!
Gion was just getting going for the evening..
..and we found a nice yakatori restaurant for dinner..
...before strolling pontocho, the bar/restaurant strip, which was also much more atmospheric at night.
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