day 15: nightlife

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.

Day 15 pt 4: couples and trains

Dang flower.











Love this green

Day 15: pt3

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.

Day 15: pt 2

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

Day 15: Temples

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.

Day 14: Dinner and a stroll

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!

Day 14: Kyoto Tower

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.

Day 14: On to the next one

Thinking back, I liked how small Hiroshima felt, and yet I know that we barely scratched the surface of that city. The dome, museum, Tokyu hands, okonomiyaki, and of course the ridiculously good tsukemen. I must go back.



Bye bye bikes




Hello passengers




Hello station




I have no idea where I took this, but I like it.




Hello Kyoto!

Day 14: A walk in the park

Pretty sunny so not many good captures here. The park was very nice though.


The central pond



Man vs Nature. I imagine the garden's designers purposely creating views like this.



I liked this bridge. If you look closely there are people on top :)

Day 14: A walk to the park

Another rule of traveling: as important as it is to spend at least one night out, one should try to wake up ridiculously early for one day as well. I started this practice due to the requirements of light when taking pictures. I usually get my best photos in early mornings when I travel because not only is the light better, but it's easier to capture people alone in their environments.

In Hiroshima I slept in. Oh well.



Rain shield, sun shield




An example of how awesome the light makes everything look, even something ordinary like a trolley




Sun's out. When old ladies take cover, your light is too harsh to take pictures anymore. That should be another rule of photography