Kyoto

We left Kanazawa and Japan's west coast on a morning train to Kyoto.  The heat and humidity cranked up a bit and we had to adjust to the discomfort.  We were able to drop our bags off at the house that we are renting.  After a ramen lunch we were off to the Golden Pavilion the sweltering heat.  The grounds were crowded but the scenery did not disappoint.  We still had time to go to the large temple on the hillside over looking the city.  Orange pagodas and a huge ancient temple with a massive thatched roof nestled against the wooded hillside make this my favorite Japanese temple so far.  We were happy to get acquainted with our rented house: authentic furnishings and woodwork, tatami rooms and plenty of space for the eleven of us. It will be nice to stay in the same place for four nights. A visit to the neighborhood bathhouse where the women were schooled in boathouse manners prepared us for a good night's sleep