Sakura trees were collapsing! Dying... as the weather turned warmer day by day. I remember seeing it for the first time in Washington in 2005, but I wasn't fascinated as much as mum did...

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu Temple is a Unesco World Heritage listed site in the Eastern Kyoto region of Higashiyama. The temple dates back to798, but the present buildings were constructed in 1633. The temple takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means pure water. It is notable for its vast veranda, supported by hundreds of pillars, that juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city

View of Kyoto City from the top of the temple (spot Kyoto Tower on the left)

Here we were at Ginkakuji Temple (Golden Temple), paid SGD8.00 for entrance each to see a temple that was under construction (see below)...

Back to Kyoto Station for lunch before heading to Osaka

Kyoto Station is one of the biggest train station in the world! With Isetan in it as well, and an elongated escalator leading to a roof-top garden with a view of Kyoto City

Garden observatory deck at the top of Kyoto Station

Want to have a slice? It costs about SGD10.00 per slice...

Bullet train (shinkansen) from Kyoto to Osaka (about 15 mins) for about SGD20.00; the speed made my journey an exhilarating one!

Interior view of the bullet train

That was the old woman whom I spoke to for about 15 mins in my broken Japanese

Our hotel, Toyoko Inn, in Osaka's Nanba - a shopping district (about SGD140.00 per nite)

Bigger bathroom than Tokyo

Dotonburi - food district

Labels: Japan 12-21 April 2008