Sayonara Kyoto

Today I went to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavillion). It was originally built as a villa but was converted into a temple that is now covered with gold foil. There is a nice path through the woods and other traditional Japanese housing but I could not be bothered after all the sightseeing yesterday. I took a bus to another temple but walked the Tetsugaku-No-Michi(Path of Philosophy)instead. Being the scholar that I am, it sounded like I would experience some sort of heightened enlightenment. My mind wasn't that stimulated but the break away from all the tourists was refreshing. The path was one of my favorite parts of Kyoto. A little secret tucked away from roaming paparazzi. After heading back to my hostel for a bit I went back over to Gion for more paparazzi action. The streets were packed with people trying to sneak a peek at geisha. I saw a couple of geisha shuffle out of a taxi and down the street. I couldn't bring myself to take pictures of them. After that I went and sat along the river. I looked across and saw four geisha serving one man. He must have been rich because the entertainment of a geisha is supposed to be very expensive. I walked home and now I am at my hostel about to pack up my things. I leave for Tokyo first thing in the morning. Sayonara Kyoto! Domo Arigato!

For Kyoto, Nara and Osaka pictures, click here.