Sights from Kyoto and Nara

During our Japan holiday back in 2008 we spent a couple of days in Kyoto, the historical and cultural capital of Japan and home to Nintendo HQ!

Kyoto is one of the few Japanese cities to avoid the destruction of aerial raids during World War 2.  Compared to Tokyo the city has an older, almost sedate feel. 

We stayed for two nights at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese style inn.  We enjoyed our stay and glad we experienced a ryokan, but found it a bit pricey and the 10pm curfew was a little restrictive. 

Here are some pictures taken during our stay in Kyoto:

Nijo Castle

This temple features a “nightingale floor”, a special timber technique which makes it impossible to walk on without it making squeaking sounds.  As you walk on the floor boards they chirp like a bird, acting as an alarm system.  Pretty cool!  I felt like a stealth ninja trying to walk along the floors without making a sound.  Of course I failed miserably!

Kinkaku-ji – Temple of the Golden Pavilion

A beautiful Zen Buddhist temple set in a stunning Japanese strolling garden.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Todai-ji Temple - Nara

The largest wooden structure in the world.  The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu).

Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha Shrine - Nara

We took a trip to Nara Park, a public park located in the city of Nara.  The park has over 1000 sika deer freely roaming around the park which feels pretty surreal.  You can buy biscuits and feed the deer from your hand, the wife kept her cool but I was just a little nervous around them!

a-cho Arcade

Of course no trip to a city in Japan would be complete without checking out the arcades!  Here are some pictures taken at a-cho Arcade, which can be found in the main shopping mall, easily identified by the large teddy bear that points upstairs.  After a full day sightseeing and a bite to eat, it was cool looking round the shopping mall and playing some games here.