Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - Kyoto and a Traditional Japanese Hotel

 We ate our breakfast in our room, having purchased it last evening at 7 Eleven. As we ate we packed for our move to a traditional Japanese hotel, still in Kyoto as well as signing up online to leave our luggage at the hotel until our late afternoon move. After checking out we walked to the us terminal at the central train station to board a bus to visit the former imperial palace.

Surrounded by heavy stone walls the property of the former imperial palace is a park through which anyone may walk.  The trees, both coniferous and deciduous, are abundant. Nevertheless, it was still hot and humid, and we relished a visited to the air conditioned imperial guest house.  Both the guest house and former imperial palace had required visit and tour times which didn't fit our schedule.  It was a peaceful walk in the park, for steet sounds were distant.

Kenji and Leo headed for the Buddist temple, international headquarters of the branch of Buddism, Nishi, on which he was raised. Karin and I returned to the shady stream which we enjoyed the day before. Thanks to her understanding of the google diretions we enjoyed some time just listening to the sounds of the stream while enjoying a cold drink from a nearby vending machine and the shade as well as a light breeze.

We decided to look for the area where geisha lived and worked and learned after eating our lunch that we had visited the incorrect street. We recognized the correct street, for it was crowded with tourists.  we had read that geisha might be seen only in the late afternoon. Therefore we saw the area where they lived and worked only.

It was a long and extremely crowded bus ride to the Nishi temple to meet Kenji and Leo. Traffic was crowded and a street festival, perhaps Chinese, crowded the area, too. Finally we made it to the temple and found Kenji and Leo. Kenji walked me through a side worship building and the main building where we witnessed the end of a service. The priest chanted and rang a gong.  I was most impressed with the intricate wooden structure and high altar area very ornate with symbols and gold as well as the large lamps in the worship area. Kenji stated that 1,700 people can sit in the area, mainly on the floor, although there were chairs for guests in the back of the worship area. Kenji took many photos and enlightened me more about the Nishi branch of Buddism, of which this complex was "the Vatican" of the Nishi branch.

We returned to the hotel and claim our luggage and move to the traditional Japanese hotel, Ryokan Ginkaku. It is modern in the reception and lobby as well as the entrance to individual room, with separate toilet, shower, wash basin. A screen door separates these from the sleeping room. The floor is called tatami, and shoes must be removed before entering.  A low table with tea serving items and a beautiful screen on one side covering the window, and a tv on the wall are in the room.  When w2e returned from supper at the food court of the sky tree center by the central train station our futons were already laid on the floor. The cover contained a beautiful floral decor. 

Kain and I pur on our yukatas to wear to the public bath below the main floor. Showing before slipping naked into the very warm water was a new experience. Relaxing ans soothing and happy for many new experiences I returned to the room and laid down and fell right asleep.