Kyoto was the capital of Japan for many centuries, until Emporer Meji moved the capital to Tokyo in 1868. Despite being the cultural capital of Japan and home to dozens of important temples and the old Imperial Castle, Kyoto is very much a modern urban city. Here is the Kyoto tower, it seems that every major Japanese city built a tower in the 1960s.
The scene of the Kamo-gawa river definitely has an Asian feel.
The turtles are amongst the stepping stones that I used to cross the river.
The 2008 HBES conference was at Kyoto University.
Near the university, there is a Beatles themed bar which plays portions of Beatles movies and videos non-stop.
A Japanese Beetle.
This VW Microbus has been converted into a creperie.
Among the more questionable offerings is the taco crepe.
There are even fake VW Microbuses which are used by food vendors.
Ryukoku University, founded in 1639, is older than Kyoto University, which was built in the late 19th Century.
The gate at Kiyomizu-dera.
Temple at Kiyomizu-dera.
Hanging out with the locals. They also asked for a picture with me using their camera, I guess they knew that
I was a world famous scientist.
Inside one of the shrines.
Quite a curious character. I wonder if this helps explain the Japanese affinity for little Sambo characters.
The Gion district, home of the Geishas. I believe I saw a contemporary Geisha while walking the path across the river
at night. It looked like she was serving tea to a bunch of Japanese businessmen in the back room overlooking the river.
Maryanne on the Philosopher's walk. Coincidentally, we had each also strolled the Philosopher's walk in
Heidelberg.
Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieysu.
Castle gardens.
Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Temple is another reconstruction. A mad monk burned the earlier one down just a few decades ago.
The old 'toss a coin in the bowl and win enlightenment'game.
The Zen stone garden at Ryoan-ji, the most famous in Japan, was actually the only one I saw in the entire trip.
I think I preferred the moss gardens at Ryoan-ji.
Painted screens at Ryoan-ji.
The writing on this fountain tells us that we will not reach happiness through material things. The fountain
looks ironically like a big coin.
I found this interesting path hidden in the woods.
Buddhas in a row.
To-ji temple, the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan.