Nijo castle

Nijo castle

contains two palaces within its walls.  The first was the palace of the shoguns throughout their reign (then taken over by the Emperor after the Meiji restoration).  We visited on a hot, sunny day: a welcome change from two days of rain. 

No pictures were allowed inside, so words will have to do.  It was a business-like place, and the business was to impress visitors (daimyo lords and representatives of the emperor) with the power and status of the shogun.  The walls were adorned with paintings of powerful beasts (tigers, dragons, leopards, falcons) and mighty pine trees.  These were not the familiar watercolors:  the images leapt out from a background of gold leaf.  The private rooms of the shogun were decorated more serenely. We walked on "nightingale floors", which creaked as a warning of unwelcome intruders.

Here are pictures of the exterior, and grounds:

The second palace is the only remaining used exclusively by emperors.  It wasn't open:

Later that evening we rode the bullet train back to Tokyo. 

 
Today we're scheduled to fly back to the US.  It has been a wonderful trip, and a wonderful introduction to Japan.  We're grateful for the kindness of so many Japanese, particularly the Kan family.

Kimono fashion show

In the afternoon we visited the Nishijin textile center.  A small museum goes through the five hundred year history of weaving in the area.  Noralynn and I each bought yukatas (less formal than kimonos, and made of cotton).  Then we enjoyed a kimono fashion show!

temples of Kyoto

Kyoto has a wealth of temples.  It was raining most of the day, so we took a bus tour to visit three of the most famous (they're all UNESCO World Heritage Sites).

the Golden Temple (Kinkagu-ji) 

Perhaps the rain wasn't so bad.  In bright sunlight the amount of gold leaf is said to be blinding. 

the Silver Temple (Ginkagu-ji)

There is no silver leaf here, but the more rustic temple doesn't need it to be beautiful.  Artisan workers formed sand into wavepatterns, and a replica of Mt. Fuji.

Kiyomizu temple

is named for its spring, prized for its healing.  There are many beautiful temples on the site.

Izu peninsula

the Izu peninsula

is not on the usual tourist itinerary.  It has hot springs, but Hakone is more popular.
We enjoyed lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant.

In the city of Izu we visited a shrine

soaked our feet in a thermal spring, tried wasabi ice cream (the area is known for wasabi)

and walked through a bamboo grove.

Our real destination was a traditional Japanese inn.  A bit rustic rather than five-star, but the service, food, and serenity could not be beat.  No pictures from the thermal springs bath.