The next morning, I decided to record us in our kimonos as we prepared to go to our baths ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140898 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140899 and when we returned, it was time for breakfast and the realization that we would be moving on. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140900 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140901 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140902 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140903 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140904 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140905 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140906 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140907 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140908 We walked towards the Imperial Palace stopping to note a drink machine ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140909 and a yield sign ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140910 before I recorded this sign as a marker for where we had to turn on our return ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140911 with this arrow pointing the way ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140912 before we entered the palace grounds ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140913 and recorded the details ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140914 as we noted the long entryway through the garden ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140916 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140917 and the many smaller structures ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140918 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140919 and beautiful trees ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140920 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140921 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140922 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140923 interspersed with buildings ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140924 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140925 and monuments ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140926 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140927 and then more temple like buildings ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140928 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140929 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140930 and trees ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140931 and other residences ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140932 trees ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140933 residences ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140934 and Suzanne walking in the heat ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140935 so that we realized we needed water ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140936 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140937 before seeing the infected tree ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140938 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140939

As Americans, we were able to gain same day access to the Palace itself and so we waited for the gates to open ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140940 and when they did, we entered ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140941 and made our way through the buildings ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140942 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140943 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140944 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140945 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140946 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140947 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140948 and rooms with tatami ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140949 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140950 noting that the red lines between mats made the room for people of lower rank ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140951 as our guide led us ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140952 to buildings ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140953 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140954 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140955 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140956 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140957 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140958 as Suzanne was engaged with her words ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140959 and we passed a shrine ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140960 and then some freshly raked gravel ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140961 before the remarkable buildings ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140962 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140963 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140964 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140965 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140966 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140967 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140968 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140969 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140970 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140971 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140972 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140973 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140974 gave way to gardens ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140975 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140976 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140977 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140978 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140979 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140980 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140981 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140982 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140983 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140984 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140985 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140986 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140987 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140988 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140989 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140990 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140991 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140992 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140993 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140994 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140995 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140996 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140997 and after getting back to buildings ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140998 we saw more gardens ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140999 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150001 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150002 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150003 before making our way towards the exit ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150004 and observing workers keeping up the remarkable grounds ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150005 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150006 even as we departed ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150007 and began the walk down the long path ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150008 past this lovely tree ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150009 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150010 to the pond by one of the houses on the palace grounds ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150011 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150012 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150013 complete with fish ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150014 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150015 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150016 and their own bridge where Suzanne ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150017 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150018 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150019 and then I posed ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150020 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150021 before we took one last look at the house ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150022 and wondered if the turtle was real or made from stone as we'd seen in other gardens. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150023 We left the grounds by this gate ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150024 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150025 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150026 and made our way back to the ryokan passing this store which made me wonder what an optional shop is. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150027

This was the day that we moved and so we made our way to the Miyako Hotel at the train station and because we couldn't check in, we hung out in the train station and tried to find things where the information center was not helpful (though very friendly). ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150028 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150029 We stopped for lunch at a small restaurant in the train station where this was the menu ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150030 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150031 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150032 and this was the beer we had ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150033 as Suzanne's meal came ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150034 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150035 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150036 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150037 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150038 but it took 15 minutes for my pizza to arrive. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150039 We noted this clever display on the way ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150040 back to the hotel where we could settle in. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150041

Once settled, we decided to do some exploring. The concierge at the hotel gave us a lesson in Kyoto buses and we began our adventure at platform D1 waiting for the 100 bus to the Ginkaku Temple (the Silver Pavilion) ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150042 and once off the bus, we were at the temple ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150043 recording the rules ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150044 as we made our way in ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150045 having passed up this hill with all of its shops. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150046 This temple had raked sand around a single rock which was very spiritual ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150047 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150048 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150049 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150050 as was the cone of sand we saw there ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150051 as well as the garden ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150052 and the shrine where the bell could be rung. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150053 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150054 The conical sand was quite impressive ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150055 as Suzanne observed ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150056 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150057 and you can imagine their concern about interference ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150058 with both sand gardens as we got closer to the raked garden ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150059 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150060 and then made our way to the gardens ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150061 and into the forest above ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150062 looking back at the sand gardens ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150063 and down at the fish in the pond ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150064 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150065 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150066 and the waterfall in the distance ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150067 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150068 to which had been added a different kind of sculpture though we suspect the coins caused more harm than good. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150069 We marched on up the hill with Suzanne in the lead ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150070 and enjoyed the views of the temple grounds ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150071 and of the city below ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150072 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150073 sculpture ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150074 and special tree ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150075 about which this story is told ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150076 and moss ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150077 went along with this failed attempt to capture one of the local crows in flight ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150078 but I did catch him when he landed ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150079 and after this warped tree ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150080 caught another crow walking by ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150081 as we learned how the roof was made (and about the famous bamboo nails) ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150082 which probably did not come from this grove. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150083 After capturing a few shots of this flower in bloom ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150084 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150085 we read the reasons why this is a world heritage site ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150086 and found our way to the start of philosopher's walk ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150087 where we saw the occasional fish ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150088 and hydrangeas of various colors ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150089 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150090 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150091 before coming to one of the bridges across the canal ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150092 and getting a view downstream ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150093 noting that there were temples and shrines all along the way ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150094 not to mention the obligatory phone booth photo ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150095 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150096 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150097 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150098 before we came across a shrine that had to be explored because of its base ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150099 and interesting animal pieces ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150100 and so we passed through the entry ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150101 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150102 to the shrine itself ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150103 where animals stood guard ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150104 and there was a bell to ring in the religious process ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150105 before Suzanne led the way ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150106 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150107 to the decorated pavilion ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150108 and on our way out we recorded the tale of the shrine ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150109 before admiring a turtle in the canal along philosopher's walk and wondering if it was real (I still say it wasn't) ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150110 and then recording a license plate ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150111 before heading back into town and finding a bar where we could order this gin and tonic ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150112 and this martini ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150113 not to mention nuts ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150114 and cheese elegantly prepared ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150115 and to have this picture of us ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150116 taken by the friendly bar tender ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150117 before we found our way to the river for a pleasant night time walk ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150118 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150119 where we were joined by this bird ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150120 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150121 and then after the bus ride to the station, we came to the aqua fantasy which was fireworks made of water which responded to the music being played ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150122 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150123 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150124 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1150125