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The travel diaries: Japanese Impressions part 5

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Ready to keep falling in love with Kyoto? On our second full day in the city we didn't have time for shenanigans. Another landmark awaited us... Endless rows of vermillion gates, aka torii , inumerous fox statues, endless sea of people. Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Kyoto's main attractions.  Did I say "endless sea of people"? Right, again: it pays up to be patient. Like any other place I have been to, let the people snap their photos and take their leave and you shall be rewarded with the opportunity to take your own people-free pictures! Also, it pays up to arrive early! (just saying...) We returned to the city and went to see Kyoto's castle, but not before I tried my best to gather blessings from the Inari Gods. Thought this was the end of our day? Don't you think something's missing? Yup... Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavillion. My antecipation to see this monument was quite big. As usual, I did some research

The travel diaries: Japanese Impressions part 4

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I said this was my favourite city in Japan. It has everything I wanted to see in Japan and my only regret is that we didn't spend more time there. Here is Kyoto, as seen by my lens.  We spent our first morning walking around the Imperial Palace Gardens. It wasn't crowded, it wasn't too hot when we arrive and the trees did provide a nice shade once it did get hot.  A small shrine and a tea drinking pavillion. You could barely hear anything other than the noises from the garden. Like and enchanted place that blocks all exterior sounds and transports you to an atmosphere of serenity and peace.  Find someone who looks at you like this man looks at his cat! Care to guess where we went afterwards? Ok, not exactly a tourist destination, but we had to go through Kyoto Station to get to next place. Even if you are not into modern architecture, this huge station still finds a way to amaze you.  Off we went and boarded a train to....