Kyoto

Last night we arrived in Kyoto for our last two nights. At the Chion -in Temple we viewed the stunning gardens and temple buildings by lights - the maples and trees were well lit to make a magical display of colour and light.




Peter beside the enormous temple bell.

Today we visited two temples - again the gardens were the stars!


But the crowds! Nose to back as hundreds of people crowed the walk ways.

The highlight though was the climb up to the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. This was a very long climb up through many Shinto gates to the top of the hill, 233 m above the township.  Many, many people trudged up this hill but not all made it - some.wearing traditional wooden shoes and socks, others in high heels!




At the top! What an achievement!

An afternoon in the shops of Kyoto finished our day - something for everyone from Amani to $2 shops - almost out of money we returned to the hotel for our last. Meal together. What an amazing trip it has bee - the food, the sights, the beds and tiny inns - it is hard to pin point the highlights but the glorious Autumn colour has to be high on the list.  So Sayonara Japan!

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