Momiji Leaves and a Miako

Yumi, John and Megumi cheezin after they caught me take a candid photo of them talking on the crowed bus.
We took a fully loaded bus out to Kinkakuji Temple or The Golden Temple in Kyoto. Its really amazing and I'd like to go again on a day that is not the busiest day of the year. So that I can take my time and wander about more.
Yumi had a wonderful day planned out  for us! She is simply amazing!
If you want to check out some more info about the temple, heres a link
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html

Leaves indite the temple gate. It really is like a Bob Ross painting in Japan! Happy trees, happy trees EVERYWHERE! 

Yumi and the Golden Temple

This is part of the garden that surrounds the temple. Its beautiful in the fall. Momiji is what they call the changing of the leaves. 

This picture does not do justice to the red that that tree possessed. 

I got a fotune (one of my favorite things to do) It was "Very good" and Really fit with my time in life. Weird how we let those things make connections with our lives. I can see why people invest so much in them. 

Roxanna got one too! Hers was better than mine NICE! She should have a "happy life" and I think it said something about babies. No Japan babies Roxanna...no 

A small example of just how busy it was. People were so happy to see the colors and families walked along taking photos of babies and trying to get leaves in the shot. Pretty interesting to watch if you ask me. 

Girls at the Temple. This is a different temple. in Kyoto. This is the temple that the famous scene from Memoirs of a Geisha was filmed at. I think you'll remember when you see the Tori Gates.  

Before you enter the temple grounds you must "cleanse". You use the ladle to rinse your hands and then a little water goes in your mouth as well. Sounds gross but I think they filter it.....I think 

Lets hope so 

The girls kept taking photos of the backs of each other walking around the temple. So I took one of my own. 

There are several places within the temple grounds where you can pray and give thanks to the gods. Those wooden blocks are for writing wishes on for the next year. 

This is what you do with your fortune if it doesn't quiet tickle your fancy or you happen to get a bad one. 

Know it yet......

Disco! The Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto! It was crowed and I didnt get a clear shot of all the Torii gates. Yumi told us that those gates are purchased and donated to the shrine and they cost about 1,000 or more. I could be very wrong though... Sorry Yumi.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Japan/Kyoto_fu/Kyoto-973793/Things_To_Do-Kyoto-Fushimi_Inari_Shrine-BR-1.html

Me and the famous gates! See all the people, this was a slow moment ! 

I wish I could read the writing on the gates, maybe one day 

This man was selling beautiful handmade pottery on the side of the road. Or at least that's what he claims. True or not. They were amazing pieces to be sitting on the side of a road. 

Felix being photogenic 

There was one little fish inside this pond, all alone. He was beautifully colored, though I couldn't get a great photo. 

Ladies and gentlemen!!!!!! I present to you, Japan's oldest toilet. I cant remember the site. Ill have to look it up soon. I think I remember Yumi saying ti was around 600 years old and people had to bring buckets with them to wash their feet before and after use. 

Roxanna, checking out the toilet....wait YOURE TEXTING PICTURES OF A TOILET. Why didnt I think of that 

Part of our large group wandering around Kyoto. I think in all we had 23 people. 

Finally ! Tea with a real Miako!
A Miako is not a Geisha. A Maiko is a Geisha in training essentially. And no, they are not prostitutes. That is a very old and outdated idea.  It usually cost a large amount to see a Maiko dance and have her serve you tea. We got a great deal because of wonderful Yumi and we also got to talk with her and ask her questions about her life as a Miako. 

She was so elegant. They have very intense training and they do not spend time out like a typical person their age. This particular girl chose to leave school at 14 and become a Maiko. She was trained from then. 

She had a sweet manner about her.

I felt like a GIANT standing next to this tiny girl. I say girl because shes only 17. 

Usually very poses and beautiful, I got this cute Miako girl to make a funny face for the camera. She was so embarrassed afterward, but again shes still just a girl so she enjoyed it. 

The hair of a Maiko is VERY intricate and takes about 30 minutes or more to prepare. Typically a Geisha uses a wig or hair piece for their styles, but a Maiko uses only their actual hair for every design. They must leave it in this manner for 10 days. They have to sleep with their head on a special bar that balances their neck up so they do not mess up their hair. 

The dance was wonderful and I loved the traditional style music and poses. 

Finally, as we left so did our Maiko friend. Typically Miako do not talk to people on the street, only customers. But we walked with her ( a giant crowd) down the road until we separated ways and she went home for the evening. It really was a nice way to end the trip to Kyoto to see the leaves.

Then I got lost on the subway...but that's life