Kyoto

After a good breakfast at 7:00 we were out the door and on the bus for a long fun day of seeing the sights of Kyoto.  Our first stop was Ryoanji Temple.  We were the first visitors of the day so it was very tranquil as we sat viewing at the rock garden.  After a pleasant walk around the small lake we were back on the bus for a short ride to Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavillion).  After a group photo we walked through the temple grounds, taking an extended break for tea.  Then the shopping for souvenirs began!  Shopping and more shopping followed by a buffet lunch.  Then it was back on the bus to visit Doshisha University then the Imperial Palace.  Then more shopping in Teramachi followed by a visit to Nijo Castle.  We bussed it back to the youth hostel for dinner.  All-in-all we must have walked about 5 miles (though some of the students thought it was close to 105 miles!).  They all hung in there, though.  It was a great day with cool-ish weather.  Tomorrow is Kiyomizu temple, then Nanao!