Kyoto: Day 2

After a quick breakfast at a local Starbucks knock-off cafe, I used my all-day bus pass I purchased at the Hostel front desk to head out to Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion. I had never heard of it until a man on the flight over suggested it to me. It was truly a sight to see. A temple built in three different styles:

• Kukkyo-cho (3rd floor): Karayo - Zen temple style
  
• Cho-on-do (2nd floor): Buke-zukuri - style of samurai house
  
• Ho-sui-in (1st floor): Shinden-zukuri - palace style

I was joined by two ladies from Australia, who were very good at photography I might add, on a tour of the Kinkakuji grounds. After leaving Kinkakuji, I took a bus to Nijo Castle.

Nijo castle was the official Kyoto residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu, and was built from 1603 - 1626. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through the large castle with two palaces, I felt as if I was stepping back in time. The Ninomaru Palace interior was quite interesting, though I could not take pictures. The floors were called "nightingale floors" which squeaked like a bird with each step so that any intruder could be heard. There were several rooms fit for the shogun's business and entertaining visitors. Doors with red sashes marked the bodyguard's entrance to both the meeting room and the shogun's office.

After walking through Ninomaru Palace I saw the inner palace or Honmaru. Though visitors were not allowed inside, the gardens surrounding it were beautiful. After a quick peak from the guard tower, I hit the gift shop and left the Castle. After another couple of hours of walking around Kyoto, I found a few gift shops, ate dinner and retired for an evening of reading on the balcony of the hostel.

Photos Updated: Click Here