I'll start of this post by saying that I've once again forgotten by now the name of this temple, but I would, upon returning to Kyoto be able to find it on a map. And yes I will return.
I believe it is tradition to wash your hands before entering. I've seen some wash their faces and even drink from the water as well.
Damn those cones
Hello!
If only that tree on the right wasn't there :P Loved the temple seeing outfit though.
Japan and umbrellas. You can't go wrong.
I like how she's holding the umbrella.
Stylin.
The nightlife in Kyoto is rather unique in that it largely appears that there isn't one. If Tokyo is the nightclub with music blaring out onto the streets, Kyoto is the speakeasy. One minute a silent alleyway, but a couple hidden turns and a staircase and you can already hear the clinking of glasses as they meet with beer inside.
Fast lens = bright night images.
I probably should have cropped in a little more.
The alleyway
The place to be.
The reward: chicken gizzards and beer. Life is good.
Good night.
Some BW's on the way to the temple. Once again, I've forgotten the name of it, but I could have easily spent a day hiking around through the the thousands of tori.
Once again, a nostalgic photo.
I finally got around to putting my computer together and hooking up my network. I've been away from the blog for quite some time now due to my recent move. Ironically, what motivated me to finally get back to it was because - like many people these days - my thoughts are on Japan. It is such a wondrous and beautiful place for me, and it upsets me greatly to see what it's going through right now. If there is any country that can rally through disaster and persevere, it is Japan. I imagine it will do it with speed, grace and hopefully with the help of many other countries.
Here's pt 2 of my temple day in Kyoto. There was a temple that I wasn't able to see the last time I was in Kyoto so I made the effort this time to make the trip down. First stop some food, then Kyoto station.
I am a stalker
Outside the station. Loved the blue against the intense red bus.
Inside the station. If you squint it looks like a Picasso collage.
Love stairs. Always so dramatic. Elevators are boring.
Had to come back here as an homage
Kyoto, to me is where you go to see temples and get a quick taste of the more traditional side of Japan. I can't remember the name of this temple, but the journey to get there and actually find it was just as entertaining as the place itself.
Where you wash your hands and the statues. Each one represents something. I forget what.
The ladle
That fountain overlooks this cemetary
There is a significance to all the statues, I forget what though.
There's a name for these fancy types of arrangements, and I can't remember what it's called. I wanted to see a lot more of them, but this is the only one I got to see during the trip. Next time I'll be sure to see more. It's strange but the composition of these things are really quite extraordinary if you pay close attention.
Sun is out, so it's black and white :)
Much better light in the shade. This bamboo trail led to the water fountain in the first image.
Looking back before leaving. Light was pretty harsh, but I still like this one for some reason.
One of the hardest things to do in Japan is find a place to eat. Not because there aren't plenty of choices, but rather, a lot of the establishments sell the same thing and it's hard to tell which one is the best. 
Soba tower
Seasonal assortment
Cool fountain
Personal eating stations for McDonalds
Good night!
I think for me the best thing about going back to Kyoto Tower was that it felt familiar. The entrance was different and they had done a lot of renovations to the hotel below in the several years that I had been away. But of course, the view was largely the same.
Those telescopes to me are always a waste of money. Here was my first pic of them:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/akim_hobo/123478501/in/set-72157604303381201/
It is a rare moment in Japan when you can have a clear view of just one person. I stood here for quite a while wishing that everybody would go away and that the classy gentleman wouldn't.
One of the many views
Looks like a video game
Love how clean this looks. I don't even think I tilted and it still looks miniature due to the vibrant colours and how clean Kyoto is in general.
I remember we were thinking of finding out where this rooftop party/dinner was and trying to eat there. Should have.
If I were to try and describe Japan in a simple photo. This would do nicely.
The view from the outside.
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