Day 6 was spent getting slightly wet in the Gion District. Perhaps if it had not been raining so much we would have seen more of the area. No tears though as we need stuff to do when we go back to Japan (far into the future). Where would the fun be if we saw everything right away?
Crossing the street is always fun in Japan.
Please enjoy our version of the Gion District. I think it is a must visit if one is in Kyoto.
Many shops line the main street in the Gion District.
Many of the street wires look like this in Japan. You get used to it after awhile and sometimes makes the street look older than it really is.
Cute little details all over the place.
This street had many old buildings and tea houses on it. Maybe if we are lucky we can see a Geisha walking around?
More pretty lanterns. Why can't the street lights in the United States be this cute?!
A REAL LIFE GEISHA! Go me and my fan girling. But I am so happy we saw one. I thought since the rain was so bad we wouldn't see any at all. But now that we saw a real geisha our Japan trip can be complete weeee.
Inside Yasaka Shrine. It stands very impressive at the end of the main shopping street so we had to peek inside.
Front of Yasaka Shrine. It was hard to take a picture what with traffic (both cars and people) trying to run us down but it was truly beautiful.
Many mini shrines inside the main shrine. I am not sure how people pick which place to donate to. Maybe they have favorites?
View from inside Yasaka Shrine. Despite the rain tons of people were there. However this was a way to exit a neighborhood too so maybe that is why there were constant people inside. Wouldn't that be cool, to live that close to a temple or shrine?
I hope that our country takes the time to preserve more sites. I want to be like Japan and have future generations be able to see our old buildings. Now which ones to preserve....
NO MORE STAIRS!!! Also if you are white and visiting Japan be prepared for elementary school kids to use you as a project. I am sure the project is called Operation Find the American. But it is just a few simple questions and it won't take long. Help the little kids out by learning English!
We decided to go to Kenninji Temple. It is one of the oldest Zen temples in Japan which adds to the cool factor.
We were allowed to take pictures inside this temple WOOHOO! That is always nice to see, the happy yes picture sign.
I especially love the screens inside the individual rooms. Many of the places we visited had the screens on lock down or no pictures so it is nice to share these with everyone.
Inside another room. Not sure about this sleeping on the floor thing that many Japanese people still practice.
Roof of the main building. It was so big and impressive we took many pictures. I wonder how many years it took to create. Fear the dragon.
The rest of the building. Not as impressive once you see the dragon ceiling though. XD
Once we left the temple we went down the old looking street with all the tea houses and such. And behold another geisha! We weren't the only people fangirling either. Tons of older men were running up and trying to get their pictures taken with her.
Best picture we took in Japan hands down. Look at that classic moment! I love it. I don't think there are any other words to describe how happy it makes me that we took this picture.
The realities of being a geisha. Or maybe being a rich business man buying her expensive wooden hairpins.
Lovely little shops all over the place. Had to buy something here just because. XD
After our geisha adventure it was raining pretty badly. We took cover near a huge temple like structure with other people. I am attempting to find the name out of the place. X__X
I am 90 percent sure this was the Chionin Temple. Hopefully anyway. I am sure when it is not threatening to drown us many people visit this big temple.
One must take off their shoes quite a bit in Japan so make sure you have nice socks. And if you are a girl and need socks there are about 58394783 million shops just dedicated to socks and leggings. XD
After the Gion District (well the parts we saw anyway) it was time to take our wet selves back to the hotel. Look at all the gashapon!
There are not many gas stations in Kyoto. The one near our hotel was so weird. You had to drive on and off the sidewalk meant for pedestrians. Like you want to fill up your car and run me over? But despite the fact many gas stations did not exist the ones we saw were super nice. Did a lot of cleaning and hands on stuff.
Thanks for stopping by and reading about day 6 of our Japan trip. Stay tune for part 7!
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