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Settling in - A lazy day in Kyoto

The first full day in Japan is almost done. We took a day to relax from the flight and get a little oriented.

First, I had to get a few morning shots from the balcony of the hotel room. 




The red gate is the gate to the Heian-Jingu Shrine — want to go there (see lower photo)

After eating the hotel’s complimentary breakfast it was off to the Kyoto train station to take a bus tour around town. Even when your sitting on the top deck of an open-air bus, it’s blazing hot here. I’m glad I had my hat to shield me from the sun. Tomorrow I will bring my umbrella and use it, too. 

There are definitely sights we want to spend more time visiting. 

Here are a few shots from the bus. I had an aisle seat so I didn’t have the best photo position.


One of the shrines. 

I know the real Boo Boo. He lives in Culpeper, Virginia. These are his parking spots. 

The Nijo-Jo Castle — worth a repeat visit.

Driving through the massive gate at the entrance to the Heian-jingu  Shrine.

For my buddy Chris, who delivers cement.

Darned Kyoto City Bus had to ruin my shot of this fire station.

The Kyoto Tower and hotel, across from the Kyoto Train Station.

Trains weren’t the main focus of the day, but we still had a little time on the rails. After having a late lunch at the Kyoto Station food court, we took the subway back to the hotel. Two things made this easy: Google maps and having an IC card. 



Google maps gave us the exact times to expect the trains (and they run on time in Japan), how many stops to ride on each line and where to make connections. The IC card is similar to stored value cards used in the U.S. In Japan, you can use them for trains, buses and at 7-11s. Get a Slurpee and your train ride. 

The Kyoto subway is a 19.4 mile system, built in 1981. It’s a little on the older side. They still have pay phones on the platform. 

Buddy, can you spare a dime? That’s what I used to pay for a phone call in the 1970s. No more, I’m sure. 

The Karasuma Line has chest-high gates that keep riders from falling into the tracks.  

They got strap hangers in Kyoto. 

The platforms on the Tozai Line have full-height protection.

Tomorrow, more adventures.

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  1. Ken KorenAugust 29, 2023 at 4:37 AM

    No graffiti or panhandlers to be seen. Looks super clean.

    ReplyDelete

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