Leaves

A few weekends ago Angie and I made a trip up to Kyoto, to see its most beautiful (and busiest) season. We were looking for leaves. As Angie put it, "If you'd told me five years ago that I'd be running around just trying to take pictures of leaves all day, I would have thought you were crazy..." Indeed.


We were not alone in our search...
Half of Japan was also out taking pictures of and in front of the leaves. The more famous sights in Kyoto that we visited (Ginkakuji, Kinkakuji, and Tofukuji--the last I'd never heard of, but is famed for its autumn leaves) were absolutely packed with people.



Kyoto:

Fushimi inari

Tofukuji

The Mouse Shrine

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion):

VIP moss

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion):







Kyoto Station

Nara:

Kofukuji:




Isuien Gardens:
These beautiful gardens, which are a little bit off the main tourist track, were almost completely deserted during my visit. :)


Are we in the right season? Found cherry blossoms!






Todaiji:
Largest wooden building in the world.

The giant Buddha it houses.


The tunnel to enlightenment:This hole is supposed to be the same size as one of the Buddha's nostrils, and if you can manage to crawl through it, you are guaranteed enlightenment.








Don't fall in, the piranhas will get you!



Nara Koen