It was in Kyoto that I first experienced the joy of staying in a ryokan, a Japanese inn.  The pleasures of a ryokan are best left to the experience, but I thought it important enough to talk about it in detail later.  Our particular ryokan overlooked the river, where we watched the rain pour down from our window for hours after a long day of sightseeing around the city.   After that, a soak in the cedar bath and then lying between the mofu and the futon for the most comfortable sleep ever.

Click on the thumbnails above for larger images.

When you walk through Kyoto, you are constantly reminded of the thousands who went before you, servants and noblemen, warriors and scholars.  In Nijo-jo (Nijo Castle), the floors are worn smooth by the thousands of tabi sock encased feet that have walked it's halls.  To think of the intrigue that went on here hundreds of years ago is amazing!

Stroll the gentle winding road leading up to Kiyomizudera and browse the cute little shops on the way up.  There are all kinds of things to buy, from common trinkets to handmade works of art (fans, tea sets, and much more). 

In the Gion area, you might catch a glimpse of maiko girls (girls in training to become geisha) hurrying through the streets.  Geisha is still an art form in Kyoto, and the anachronism of seeing a geisha in a modern setting just adds to the charm of Kyoto.

Kyoto is probably best for the casual tourist in the fall, when the bright colors give the temples and shrines an even greater beauty.  Spring is the best time, of course, but all Japanese know that, so you may find yourself waiting in a lot of queues and surrounded by huge crowds.  July is probably the worst time of all (when we were there) because of the Summer rainy season, but you might get lucky and have some beautiful weather besides.