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This photo slideshow is dedicated to an overview of our (#SJMCJapan) trip in Kyoto from June 15 to 19. Most of us agreed that the journey went by a little fast once we arrived there, but we all still managed to make the most of each day.
The innermost part of Kyoto reminded me of a smaller Tokyo. Fushimi-Inari is famous for its thousands of torii gates. The architecture at Kyoto Station is picturesque. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a great place for rustic views. Each stream of water at Otowa Waterfall is symbolic of good luck in either love, longevity, or careers. The lanterns shown here at Yasaka Shrine have names of donors on them and are illuminated at night. Regulations in the Gion district depict basic mannerisms, many of which are followed all over Japan. Geisha sightings are rare but if you want to see them at all, Gion is the place to go. Nijo Castle housed the shogun during their reign. The layouts of the gardens at Nijo Castle are elaborate. The outskirts of Kyoto are like something out of a National Geographic magazine. No translation needed for these signs directing people to Monkey Park Iwatayama. Monkey Park tickets cover the experience and this view. Apples and peanuts are available to purchase in order to feed the macaques from inside of a cage-like structure. The trees in Bamboo Forest are intimidating, but the vibe is halcyon. B-Side label is a popular sticker shop in Japan. The shopping baskets they give out are so cute. At the Samurai and Ninja museum I learned young samurais were the main targets during war. The mustaches were added to uniforms to make them look old. Stopping to take in the sights of the city really gave me a sense of where I was at. You had to be at the restaurant where we had our farewell dinner to even partially understand this one. Biying, our greatly admired guide throughout Japan, helps prep a course during our farewell dinner.