Japan Trip Day 7: Nijo Castle

It is a little sad going back through all these pictures and thinking wow, just a few days ago I was in Japan and now I have to get back to my real life with real responsibilities. But I can look back at the pictures and think about the wonderful trip I had with my husband and all the fun times that are yet to come.

But here is how we spent our last day in Kyoto. After being in Tokyo I can see why people might try to get away from it all in this region. It is busy enough that you are not lacking in anything but has a really old feel to it that you can't get in most of busy Tokyo.

Random building with a random structure in front of it. Our hotel was on the main street but the main street did not have a lot of shopping. Mostly just big businesses.

So here is Day 7. We spent most of Day 7 exploring Nijo Castle and being explored by school children on vacation.

Behold the castle!!!! Well at least the main gate where one has to pay to get in. A group rate in Japan is a little different than in the United States. A group usually means 25-30 in Japan. All to save a few yen. X__X

More of the front gate. Once again we were not allowed to take pictures inside the building so all the pictures are of the outside.

But despite not being able to take pictures inside there was still a lot to share with you. A lot of the buildings are simple in nature but then there will be huge pops of detail. Like the gates. Bling that baby up!

The Japanese are used to restoring many of their old buildings. Sometimes that means tearing the building down and rebuilding it with the same types of materials in the same fashion or sometimes they just replace certain parts. But no matter what they all look like they are 500 years old and I enjoy that. XD

I am not sure how long I would have lasted in old Japan. So many rules and such. Also it takes forever to get to one part of the structure to the other. Add in the long robes/kiminos and I might pass out before breakfast. XD

There was a few bridges around the castle. Didn't see any fishes in the water though.

A lot of the area in Nijo castle was "garden" like areas. Not necessarily flowers but the trees were actually pretty cool. I wouldn't want to be a gardener there though, chopping the tiny branches with scissors.

More stairs. But the views at the top are always worth it so never give up people. Climb those stairs and take those pictures!!!

Most of tourist places have decent maps, some in English. And a lot of places have English guides/pamphlets. So even though these places seem overwhelming a map is usually nearby. XD So feel free to explore.

More of the gardens. Only a select group of people used to be able to see these gardens and now for a small fee everyone can experience the beauty.

Sorry there aren't more pictures of the outside. But I hope you enjoyed the garden areas.

After Nijo Castle we decided to hike to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Turns out it is only opened a few days a year so no go for us. The outside was pretty impressive though. The "garden" around the palace was mostly trees and not as lovely as Nijo Castle.

The structure was HUGE though. Another one of those it takes an hour to give anyone a message type building.

After our brief stop at the Imperial Palace we decided to explore the area/shopping places one last time before we went back to the hotel and packed. We shall miss you old buildings.

The main shopping area didn't really have a lot of rest areas. This one had a few seats...and a scary looking piggy for everyone to enjoy.

So much food, so little time.

I shall miss the landscape of Kyoto. But now it is time for Tokyo!!!

I hope you enjoyed Day 7/Week One of my Japan trip. Next up is Week 2/Day 8 of my adventure. On to Tokyo folks!!!