KYOTO

After a leisurely morning we excitedly got onto the speedy bullet train and sped our way towards Kyoto.  As the coast of Japan passed us by, we talked, relaxed and enjoyed the smooth running of a very fast train.  It only took 2 hours 10 minutes to get from Tokyo to Kyoto, that is a distance of about 400 km.  The train goes 320 km an hour.  We think that's very fast.

Celebrating our success at getting everyone and bags off train.                                                 Kyoto station.

           Kyoto station is very interesting, but we didn’t stay long as we were eager to get to Toei Ninja Park.  After a short minibus ride, we got to Toei Ninja Park and were very happy because Zepher was there with his brother.  Zepher was at GSNS for a month during his Japanese school holidays last term. 

Toei Ninja Park is like being back in time of when Ninja’s ruled the world! (Well Japan anyway).  So there were old housing and lots of kids walking around in ninja outfits.

    







 Ninja warriors in training. 

Amelia trying out the tea ceremony

We conquered the training Dojo by being nimble Ninja’s completing obstacles on our way.  Ms Spencer and her camera tried to keep up with the GSNS nimble Ninja’s, but they were too swift and all she got were blurred photos, except this one were they got slowed down.

 

So the adults could have some quiet time we locked the children away for a bit.  They didn’t mind.

We watched a pretend princess walk down the alleyway which was interesting especially when you see her shoes! 

After ice creams, ninja fights and photos at the trickery museum (for some of us), we left as fully initiated Ninja’s. 

 

Our next stop was at Kinkaku-ji temple also known as the golden temple.  We were very lucky as when we arrived the sun was just going down and so the golden temple seemed to be glowing extra bright – just for us.

The temple also has a spectacular garden, which we strolled around (with many other people).

We are staying at a Japanese style hotel tonight so are sleeping in two rooms (boys and girls) marae style.  We dragged out the mattresses and sleeping covers and lay them down on the floor.  We accidentally got the rooms muddled so poor Miss Hill is squished into a room with four boys in the smaller room while lucky Ms Spencer, Rose, Amelia and Olivia spread out in the larger room.  No one is complaining though,  just enjoying each others company.  Instead of carpet there is tatami which is like a woven mat.  

An evening stroll around the neighbourhood is now in order while we find somewhere interesting to eat.   

PHOTO