The sun came out and the view from our hotel was spectacular at sunrise. Yesterday was a travel day from Toba to Kyoto, Japan. We sadly said goodbye to our beautiful hotel and view.
We stopped on the way in Nara to visit the Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple includes a 52 foot high bronze Buddha. Construction started in 728 and the statue was completed in 751. The statue was created with 8 castings and weighs about 500 tons. It is housed in the world's largest wooden building.
We stopped on the way in Nara to visit the Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple includes a 52 foot high bronze Buddha. Construction started in 728 and the statue was completed in 751. The statue was created with 8 castings and weighs about 500 tons. It is housed in the world's largest wooden building.
 Todaiji Temple |  The 52-foot Buddha at Todaiji temple |
During dinner we enjoyed a traditional maiko (geisha in training) dance demonstration.
 A lovely bento box dinner. |  Dinner with a maiko - charming |
Kyoto is home to over 70 UNESCO World Heritage sights. We won't seem them all, but did enjoy a great day of sightseeing in the Arashiyama district, an area in Western Kyoto famous for its scenic beauty and historic artifacts. Our discoveries today included Tenryuji Temple, an important Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple that dates back to 1339, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, OkochiSanso—a five-acre mountain villa previously owned by a famous Japanese actor, and Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion.
Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion
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No matter where we looked the views were spectacular.
Modeling my uchikake Kyoto is a traditional city, many people wear the traditional dress. I had my hopes set on finding a uchikake, traditional wedding kimono, to display on my dining room wall. Our guide Helen told me about a shop where I might find one. She was right - they had several. Kathy, Pat and I picked our favorite. We found it surprisingly affordable. Expect to see it hanging on the wall next time you come to our house.
Meanwhile, our friends on the 3/27 departure date learned to wrap bottles and books using colorful square cloth. The instructions below create a carrier for two wine bottles, no clinking.
Meanwhile, our friends on the 3/27 departure date learned to wrap bottles and books using colorful square cloth. The instructions below create a carrier for two wine bottles, no clinking.
 3/27 departure group learning traditional Japanese fabric wrapping |  Instructions for wrapping two wine bottles. The knot at the top is a simple square knot. |
