Kyoto Autumn 京都の秋

-
On Saturday we decided to take a day trip to Kyoto, a little over two hours from here by train.
-

-
After arriving and having a quick lunch of Chinese food we grabbed some caffiene before catching the city bus.
-


-
Our first destination was the Rinzai Zen temple Tofukuji, originally built in 1236. This photo of the approach to the temple gives an idea of how crowded the city was.
-



-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Our first glimpse of foliage.
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I think these are pilgrims; they were playing quiet music along the approach to the temple.
-





-
The beautiful fall color of Tofukuji.
-


-
More Tofukuji.
-


-
Joe and the main hall.
-

-
The images inside the main hall.
-

-
The ceiling of the main hall.
-


-
The simple lines of the temple roof.
-


-
Roof tiles, they state the name of the temple.
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Looking back across the ravine with the vibrant color.
-

-

One of the gardens at Tofukuji.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The oppositte view of the garden.

-

-

More foliage.

-

-

Getting ready to leave Tofukuji.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

We took the bus across the city, sitting in a traffic jam of cars from out of town. Our second destination of the day was Kiyomizudera and the area around the temple. Near the bus stop we saw this maiko soliciting customers for a restaurant. It may be touristy, but I couldn't help but get my photo with her.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-
We encountered more maiko as we walked around the area, doing some holiday shopping and enjoying the crisp fall weather.
-

-

More streets near Kiyomizudera.

-

-

A shop window display.

-


-

As the sun went down, the crowds increased. Kiyomizudera is lit up in the evening for a few hours during the three weeks of peak fall color. While it is already a popular spot year-round, it was crazy crowded on a clear Saturday evening for this special event. This photo shows the masses of people headed towards the temple.

-

-

The crowds, although large, were very civil, and we didn't have to wait for long to get into the temple.

-

-

Kiyomizudera is located in the eastern hills of Kyoto, and affords a lovely view of the city and the mountains to the west.

-


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Joe and the pagoda.

-

-

Illuminated color.

-

-

The main hall of Kiyomizudera with the pagoda.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The temple was founded in the 8th century and is best known for this clear spring water. Many people believe that if you drink the water you will have longevity and good health. The water pours from three spouts and after waiting in line visitors can drink from a cup with a long handle.

-

-

Joe drinks the water...

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

More foliage near the temple exit, the trees are reflected in perfectly still water.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Our last view of Kiyomizudera. After leaving the temple we headed back to Kyoto Station where we had a quick dinner of noodles before catching the trains home. There were moments during the day when the crowds were trying (I must have been bumped into hundreds of times), but overall seeing the fall color in Kyoto was amazing, and an experience that I hope to have again.

-

Expo Memorial Park 万博記念公園

-
On November 8 we went to the Expo Memorial Park in Osaka to see the exhibition Self and Other: Portraits from Asia and Europe at the National Museum of Ethnology. The park was created for the Expo '70 World's Fair and remains as a large public space. At the entrance gate is the huge Tower of the Sun by artist Taro Okamoto.
-

-
Although the day was cloudy and a little rainy we were able to see some lovely fall color around the park.
-


-
The exhibition juxtaposed images of European and Asian people and how the various cultures of the two continents represented themselves and others. It traced the cultural interactions through time and included a variety of media.
-




-
The rose garden with a view of the Tower of the Sun.
-




-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
No day at the park is complete without a snack, so we had some gelatto on our way back to the monorail.
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
In the evening we stopped by Yodobashi Camera in Umeda, Osaka so we could buy a small printer and wander the huge electronics store. Yodobashi is probably the largest electronics store I have set foot in, it is a huge bustling place with an overwhelming variety of merchandise. After making our purchase we had a tasty dinner of Indian food before heading back home.
-

Karaoke カラオケ

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
After the excitement of the U.S. election and hanging out with friends in Kobe on my birthday we went to karaoke on Friday in Miki with friends and co-workers. A big thanks to Hollie for arranging a cake for me, it says my name and happy birthday. The rest of the photos are us getting crazy. At Japanese karaoke you get a room with your friends and can use a phone to order food and drinks. This particular karaoke place had a huge selection of foreign songs, so we had fun singing a combination of English and Japanese music.
-

Tokyo November 東京十一月

-
The view from our hotel, including the Rainbow Bridge.
-



-
Looking towards Shinjuku from our hotel room.
-


-
A daytime view of the same photo.
-



-
And a daytime view of the Rainbow Bridge.
-



-
We spent Monday morning having a leisurely breakfast near our hotel and then headed out for Harajuku.
-





-
Shopping street in Harajuku.
-






-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lunch with a view of the crowds below. Rissotto.... mmm.....
-

-
Crepes!
-








-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Snacking on the street.
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
In the late afternoon we took the train back to Kobe.
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
After dinner near Shin-Kobe station we walked along this pedestrian street with signs labeled 'Birthday Avenue,' appropriate considering the week. ;)
-