Kyoto! (part 2)

Some more pictures of Kyoto. Most of them were take by Big Jul who is currently in Japan.

Heavy rain, again.

Antho, walking straight to the temples and others shrines near Kyoto.





An amazing gravel heap with a perfect shape.

The Ginkakuji, the "Silver Pavillon". Built in 1482 by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, it was intented to compete with the "Gold Pavillon" which is, nowadays, more famous. The silver plate which gave his name, were never posed on the Ginkakuji.

Another gravel work, with an exceptionnal accuracy.

Both of them with the Ginkakuji. The quietude of the Japanese green nature...

A foam garden.

Kyoto! (part 1)

Landed at Kansai Airport in Osaka we directly took the train for Kyoto where we stay about a week. This was our third trip to Japan and the first that we've been in Kansai plain. Kyoto is, of course, smaller than Tokyo (about 1.500.000 inhabitants). One of the old capital of Japan, Kyoto is historically very rich. Less oppressive than Tokyo, it's very pleasant to have a walk along the Kamo-gawa river and reach the hills around to visit many temples and shrines.

Probably our first common memory... As we couldn't find the Uno-House (I recommend this place for a short stay. It's not expensive and that's probably why it's not really comfortable but enough to sleep http://www.hostels.com/en/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.11504), Chris and I decided to have a walk around while both Julien were waiting at metro station with our luggages. All I can say, is that we walked a very long time (and most of the time in the wrong way...), asked women, men, policemen, cook working in their kitchen, taximen and eventually it's a guard who made a quick map to explain where it was... Finally, after more than a hour we found it!

Welcome to our bedroom! As I wrote below, the comfort is very rudimentary. No windows, futons quite tight... Anyway it was enough for us. I probably had my shortest night of my life in this room... For our last night in Kyoto we went in a club (of course!) and had a late party. I came back (alone, because the others came back earlier) at about 7 o'clock in the morning (completely drunk...). Find the room (and probably awoke the half house...) then sleep... 30 minutes later the alarm clock rung and we had to get up to catch the coach at 8 o'clock in Kyoto station... I don't know how we did it, but we managed (Chris, Julien and me) to be at the coach station 3 minutes before the departure of the bus. Chris totally wet after struggling with his suitcase of about 85 kilos in the metro stairs (which are quite short without anything to carry), Julien happy to be on time and me still a bit under the influence of my whisky coke... We reached Tokyo in the early night.

The Kamo-gawa river.

Some beautiful hills around Kyoto under the fog... Looks like a painting.

The heaviest rain I have ever seen in Japan. We were quietly strolling in Kyoto when suddenly the rain made us absolutely soak...

Kamo-gawa river, a quiet place to have a walk or some rest.

Crossing the river on the stones. Some of them are carved in a shape of tortoise.

Kamo-gawa river.


Probalby a tiring day for those two young women who definitely deserve some good rest along the river.


We can see one of this tortoise in the top of the picture.

The Fuji San day...

Back again! As promised, here there are some more pictures of the mount Fuji. Thanks to Julien, I could get those photos just before he leaves (lucky him, leaving for Japan next Monday!!... the fashion shows are wainting for him!). I also wanted to say a big thanks to Hiro, Chizuru and Yoshie, we really had an unforgetable day!

The majestic Mount Fuji, standing prouldy in the heart of Japan. A symbol high of 3776 meters.


Hiro's van! A long way by night to get there. We were listen to The Beatles Album on the road and the thing which is amazing is that the music excatly stop when Hiro stoped the van with the feet of the Fuji San. On the pic, we can see Hiro, probably looking for some cigarettes.

Here we are! All waiting for the sun to come out of the clouds!

Julien (said Ronron...) and me. Don't worry Ronron doesn't really have this face.

Chris... who can't stop to make this joke.

Julien again... amazingly here!

We weren't alone on the good spot. When we arrived here, there were only one car... hope we didn't disturb them!

It will come... in few seconds!!

Still waiting.... Chris, Chizuru, Yoshie saying hello, me (calling for the sun to come... great joke) and Julien who can not be normal on a photo!

Chizuru with the hair in the wind...

Finally! The sun is lighting the top of the Mount Fuji, the show is begining!

The sun over a sea of clouds...

Yoshie is filled with wonder by the spectacle. It looks like she was gazing at an Angel. Behind, Hiro is probably worried because he couldn't find his cigaettes.

Gorgeous...

Now the whole moutain is under the sun light.

Hiro and Yoshie holding the sun.

Me, Chris and Julien... all very cold but delighted by what we saw.

It's time to get in the car to have a look around.

After being a bit worried by the weather, the clouds all gone and we could admire the Fuji San. The weather was exceptionnal.

Not excatly in winter yet, there wasn't so much snow on the top.

The whole Fuji is his famous typical shape... After a walk near the lake we went to an Onsen (previous post). Then we went back to Tokyo.