Higashiyama Walk

We began the Higashiyama Walk from the base of the Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple), which is another UN designated World Heritage Site and trying to become one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. (http://www.new7wonders.com)

This was by far the most impressive stop of the trip, thus far. It was also the biggest tourist trap.

While taking in the view of Kyoto, we were literally cornered by a small group of students, doing an English assignment, which required them to ask us some questions about why we were visiting Japan. With the hundreds of other Japanese students visiting the temple, we were wishing for some sort of sticker to indicate we had already been interviewed. However, to our pleasure that was the only group that stopped us.

We continued our walk sampling some local sweets, pickles and green tea ice cream.

After a brief stop at the Heian Shrine, we caught a bus to Ginkakjui Temple, then made the long bus ride across the city to see the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavillion), which we had missed on the 19th. Both of these temples are also World Heritage Sites.

In the evening, we strolled another area of the Gion district and spotted several Geisha as they made their way to their respected Tea Houses. It was like being a paparazzi photographer, trying to get shots of the ladies as they ran through the streets.

With the beautiful sunny weather and the vast historical sites, we wished we had planned to have stayed in Kyoto another day.