Nara

Our time in the Kansai area took us to Nara today. Nara is famous for the numerous deer roaming everywhere and the Todaiji temple that houses the largest bronze Buddha in the world. Our visit extended to beyond this to included Kofukuji, Isuien Garden and Yoshikien Garden. Tomorrow off to Osaka for the first time.

Kofukuji

Todaiji

Isuien Garden

Yoshikien Garden

Kyoto - Northern Higashiyama

For our final day exploring Kyoto we focused on the Northern Higashiyama area taking in Konchi-in Nanzen-Ji, Eikan-do,Tetsugaku-no-michi (Path of Philosophy), Honen-in and Ginkaku-Ji. This area was an amazing site during our last visit overflowing with Sakura, however the maple leaves do give it a different but still exceptional feel (and the absence of huge crowds helps). Tomorrow off to Nara and the back half of our Japan Journey.

Konchi-In

Nanzen-Ji

Eikan-do

Tetsugaku-no-michi (Path of Philosophy)

Honen-in

Ginkaku-Ji

Kyoto - Nishiki Market and North Kyoto

Our extremely long day in Kyoto has come to an end; having covered a number of sights we had never seen before. Our day started with the traditional Nishiki market selling all kinds of food, progressed to Nijo Castle, moved further north to Daitokuji, across to Kinkakuji before a very long walk back to the subway home. All brilliant sights, only Kinkakuji had we seen before (we have a photo we took of it last visit to Kyoto on our wall at home so had to revisit) and would revisit them all if we make it back here some day.

Nishiki Market

Nijo Castle

Daitokuji

Kinkakuji 

Kyoto - Arashiyama

Arashiyama on the western outskirts of Kyoto was our main destination today. Although most people come for the Bamboo Forest, there are some other brilliant sights to see. Upon our late afternoon return to Central Kyoto we made a detour to Pontochō, one of Kyoto's most famous dining areas set along a narrow alley. Northern Kyoto tomorrow and one of our favourite spots on all of Japan.

Togetsukyo Bridge

Tenryuji Temple

Bamboo Forest

Okochi Sanso Villa Pontocho (先斗町)