County Warm of Conceptions: Japan - Day 2

4.07.09

KYOTO!

Keith, Alex, and I woke up rather early, and took off for Kyoto! So we decided to walk to the train station instead of taking the terminal rail there. As we were walking, we came upon a subway entrance and decided to go down. As soon as we entered the subterranean structure we learned that Japan is actually two worlds. The skyscrapered world above and the tunnel city below. It was insane. I think we walked from one side of the city to the other... but underground. It was sort of ridiculous.

Anywho, as we walked the underground city of Kobe, we came upon the train station. And we accidently took the bullet train to Kyoto. That's okay though. Instead of an hour, it took us probably less than half an hour to get there. That thing goes fast.

Upon our arrival in Kyoto we found ourselves to be hungry. And since hunger is the driving force for each of the three of us, we quickly exited the terminal and found our way to a restaurant. There we were amazed to find that you ordered with a vending machine. You simply put money into the vending machine, which then illuminated the buttons that you could purchase with the current amount of money, and then you chose what you wanted. When you were done, it printed out a little ticket, which you then took to the counter and gave to one of the employees. Minutes later your food was brought to you and all was well. It was exciting! Vending machines are fun!

Following our enjoyment of Japanese "fast food", the three of us left in search of the ever elusive cherry blossoms, sakura. We were incredibly lucky to come to Japan when we did. The cherry blossoming season migrates across the country beginning in January and makes it to the central regions around the end of March, beginning of April. We hit it perfectly. The blossoms were in full bloom, incredibly beautiful.

Our journey led us all over, and we managed to run into several trees along the way. Unfortunately, we did not find a grove of cherry trees. At least not right away.

Remembering the suggestion of a certain tall individual from the great state of Nevada, our trio went in search for Nijo Castle, which dates back to the 1600s when Kyoto was still the capital of Japan.

Again our search was fruitless. At first. But then, after asking many times for directions from locals, we found a large, ancient looking structure. Stepping within the gates, we explored. Inside the first building we found a shrine of sorts, with gold covering nearly every inch. Continuing on, we walked into another building, which also seemed to be a shrine.

We then ventured into another section of the complex and found ourselves greeted by what looked like a high school field trip. What was probably hundreds of Japanese students began pouring out one of the buildings. It was cool to see of that age as everyone else we had seen on the streets were either adults or very young children.

We continued to explore the complex area, entering shrine after shrine, each more astounding then the last.

After awhile, we began questioning whether or not this was the Nijo Castle. And as soon as we began questioning, I ran into an information booth and POW! there it was. A brochure. "Welcome to Nishi Honganji Temple". Yep. Not Nijo Castle. But it mattered not. It was quite nice to walk around the beautiful complex.

As so the hunt began again. Asking around yet again, Alex, who had now perfected "Nijo wa doko desu ka", discovered it was simply down the road. Right. It turned out to be five kilometers or so. Granted it was a nice walk through the city.

Finally we made it! And what a spectacular view from outside. The huge walls grew up from the street level, almost making it a competitor with the other buildings in the vicinity.

There at the castle we explored the Ninomaru palace. It was extravagant, every wall covered in paintings of mythological creatures and landscapes. Even in their old age, the paintings were beautiful. After our long walking tour of the palace, we left the palace walls and came upon our other goal... the cherry tree grove.

It was absolutely beautiful. The trees were all in bloom, and the high concentration looked spectacular against the structural backdrop of the castle. You had to be there.

After relaxing in the grove, we moved onto the plum tree grove. Nearly as beautiful, it was a nice walk on our way to the inner palace and the gardens. Once we made it to the Inner palace we found no entrance and instead walked on to the gardens. They were a wonderful symphony of cherry blossoms, plum trees, other flora, and small traditional Japanese structures. Very picture perfect. I began hoping to return when there were any tourists so I could simply go in, find somewhere to sit, and simply relaxing in its tranquility.

Soon it neared time for the castle to close, and we scampered off into the streets of Kyoto. On our way back to the train station, we stopped on multiple occasions for food. First a light dinner and then ice cream many times. The first time we all got ice cream. Alex purchased a green tea ice cream cone. He soon learned he did not particularly enjoy green tea ice cream. So instead of simply disposing of the whole thing, he just had to eat the cone, leaving the ice cream untouched. Eventually he began looking for a trash can, which is when we realized Japan doesn't have many, if any, trash cans along the streets. Still searching, Alex's attempts to just eat the cone backfired when he took the fatal bite and the entire thing collapsed into his hand. Now his search became frantic as the ice cream melted on his hand. Running into an open area of sorts, he found what he thought to be a trash can and tossed it out. Yeah. It was a garage and he threw it into a bucket. Stupid Alex. Anywho, if they ever search for the culprit, the 7-11 down the street has video footage of a white, American male entering with a green hand asking for the bathroom. Alex is now one of Japan's most wanted.

Anywho, we eventually made it to the train station, bought tickets to Tokyo, and went on our way via the bullet train once again.

I will be continuing Day 2 in my next post, as an attempt to keep all of Tokyo together.

PICTURE TIME!