Day 8 - Palaces & Castles

 . . . .  Bye Bye Kyoto!!


Well, after a couple of really busy (and early) days . . . .  we were going to take today nice and easy.  We had a couple of last things to do and see, then an early evening outing and back to the House to pack for our move to Tokyo.


So - on the agenda today was:-

• The Imperial Palace and Gardens
• Nijo Castle
• Gion

Initially we weren't going to go to the Palace, as you have to book a tour.  It's free, but you have to pick a specific day and a time . .  and I just didn't think we wanted to be tied to doing something on a particular day - just in case!  Anyway - we had already booked out some time for the Miyako Odori for me and that was enough 'planned' things!


However, just before we left, I found out that the Imperial Palace has 'Open Days' twice a year where anyone can go at any time and the next time they were doing this was between the 4th and 8th April . . .  spot on!  So we thought we would combine a trip to the Palace with a wander round the Gardens and a visit to Nijo Castle.


Despite the fact that I thought this would be an 'easy' day . . . there is still a LOT of walking involved (thank the Lord for my fantastic shoes!!!), though Scott did relent this morning and let us get the bus to the Palace - he loves me soooo much!


As we arrived . . . we noticed there were a 'few' other people there too . . .  it seems we weren't the only ones to know about the 'open day' - drat!!!!  However, on the plus side, there is a set route to follow round the Palace and it's quite open, so it wasn't too much of a crush . . .  and I had noticed that my 5ft 7in height is an advantage when trying to take photos 'cos I can see over people heads!!!!  It is a shock for the Japanese though, when they turn suddenly and come head on to my boobs!!!!  I'm sure I've lost a few people that way over the past week . . . .  .


Just a quick bit of history on the palace - this was the official residence of the Imperial Family when  Kyoto was Japan's capital city.  However, in 1869, Emperor Meiji moved the capital to Tokyo and since then, the family have lived in Tokyo.


This was the path leading up to the entrance of the Palace

 We are not allowed to go inside any of the buildings - so we can only see them from the outside and it was too dark to take some photos . . .  but they did but some plaques outside showing what the murals were on the walls. 

In the distance is the Shishinden . . .  this is the most important building as it's the one that was used for important ceremonies such as the enthronement of the Emperors Taisho and Showa.

 These three arrangements weren't anything significant . . . I just thought they were lovely!

 This is the Nikkamon Gate!

 

 The two pictures show the finery for the horses . . .

The last three pictures showed how the Princess travelled.  She travelled in a palanquin with her 'first ladies' in front and behind.

 The small Palace garden . . . .

 So - as we had followed the official route (and we were NOT allowed to stray from the path at anytime!!) we were now at the end of the Palace, so now it was out into the Gardens.  We had a stroll in the gardens, but they are sooo huge that we didn't get to see it all.


Next stop . . .  Nijo Castle!  Nijo Castle is just a short walk from the palace so we were there in no time at all.


Nijo Castle was built for the first shogun of the Edo Period - Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603.  it was donated to the city in 1939 and became a World Heritage Site in 1994.


Although we are allowed into the Castle, we weren't allowed to take photo's.  Plus, when in, we had to take our shoes off - glad we didn't have tatties in our socks!

There are a lot of rooms in the castle and each one is beautifully decorated.  As we walked round the castle, we noticed that the floor squeaks . . .  this is called a Nightingale floor.  The floor was designed this way as an early warning system to alert of intruders!!!  Very clever!

 The Castle walls . . . 

 And the Moat . . . 

We then popped back to the house for an hour via another undercover market.  This one was obviously for the Locals and consisted of butchers, fishmongers and dry cleaners (no octopus on sticks here!) - but as the weather was shocking (it had started to rain AGAIN) it was nice to walk around undercover.

After an hour - we made our way to Gion to have a last try at Geisha spotting.  We had been told to be there for about 5:45 as this is when they all start to go to work.

It was incredibly busy - not only with tourists but with people leaving work and the young 'uns going out to party after work!!!

 A shaky piccie of Gion

 This is a poster of the Miyako Odori

After 10 ~ 15 minutes of wandering around, we finally spotted a geisha going to work.  She walked like it was the most natural thing in the world and seemed to be oblivious to all the tourists that were now crowding her.  She was coming towards me and I was poised with my camera, but then she did a sharp turn and all I managed to get was the side of her - so although the picture is crap - I've have seen a Geisha!!!!  (Not overally sure about the woman behind her - she seemed to following her - think she might have been her bodyguard!)

 I did see another Geisha later on, but I didn't even attempt to take a picture!  Plus it seemed wrong to chase her down for a photo . . . .  I let the other tourists do that!


As we were so close, we decided to go into Maruyama Park to see if the Cherry Blossom tree had done it's biz . . . . 

 I know it's not a very good piccie . . .  but to answer the question - no it hasn't bloomed yet!  Next week apparently!!!!


I don't know if it's because it's Friday, but the park was heaving and full of groups of people sitting on the tarps having parties.  They bring tatami mats to sit onto of the tarp and crack open the beers.  There was a really strange mix . . .  from groups of young 'uns to groups of men in suits.  They all seemed to be playing drinking games and have a right old laugh.


All the stalls were open and there was delicious smelling food everywhere making us really hungry . . .  chicken in a cup . . . beef on a stick . . . fish on a stick . . .  crepes . .  do'nuts . . . squid  . . . .  octopus . . .  banana on a stick . . .  strawberries covered in toffee (like toffee apples)!!!  There's nothing you can't get on a stick in Maruyama Park!


Anyway - we had to get back as we have to pack for our move to Tokyo.  We have to out of the house by 10 and make our way up to the Station on a bus with our bags!  This'll be fun!!!!  However, we are mega excited about going back to Tokyo.  This week has really all been about temples and shrines and traditional Japan . . .  next week will be all about modern Japan with the crowds, neons, shops, subways and parks (with a couple of shrines thrown in for good measure!)


Finally - today's blog was brought to you by a mix of Meiji Strawberry Chocolate and Black (dark) chocolate.  There are 28 blocks of chocolate in each box!!

 And they are delish!!

As I seem to be sponsored by Meiji chocolate at the moment . . .  I forgot to mention that on the way to Nara, we passed the Meiji Chocolate factory and outside the factory is a HUGE bar of chocolate.  I didn't manage to get a picture as I was on the other side of the train . .  . but I've nicked one off the t'internet!  It's the world's largest plastic billboard in the form of a chocolate bar and was unveiled on Feb 14th 2011.  Well impressive!

So . . .  until tomorrow - in Tokyo!!!!  Love n hugs xxx