With an early start to our last day in Kyoto, we headed over to the Nanzenji complex of temples and gardens that circle a massive sanmon (three-doored gate, san = three and mon = gate). First the beautiful gardens, both wet and dry, at Konchi-in.
Then the gardens that thread through the abbot's quarters or hojo, where we encountered (again) a horde of Japanese school kids; many are shy, but many others eager to practice a little English with us, to ask us where we are from--and to have their picture taken with us.
Finally we ended with the garden at Nanzenji-in. All these temples have enormous history, with emperors, shoguns, priests, poets and architects playing a part.
After checking out of our hotel, to Kyoto Station by taxi and then a train ride to Osaka. There was no direct route to the hotel, so we had to change from the intercity line to a local circle line (which took a few minutes to figure out maps, tickets, and so on) and a short walk to the Imperial Hotel.
Imperial is right, and our hosts reserved for us a room on the Imperial Floor--I'm not making this up--which only special key cards get access to. More luxury than we can stand. A wonderful view of Osaka--which is known more for industry and shipping rather than culture--from our window.
In the evening we met with our friend Aya and Kazushi (who are the marital couple) and another couple from America.
