Kyoto (day 2)

Sup dudes. Anyways, our mission objectives for the day was to visit five different places. In order: Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijō Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, and Kyoto Tower. We departed the hostel at 9:00AM and returned at 6:00PM. Pretty big day? I suppose. Worth it? Definitely.

Here are some photos of the Imperial Palace.

The current Emporer and his family do not live here, because the Imperial Palace moved to Tokyo in 1869 during the Meiji Restoration, which was when the Emperor was given his power back over the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate, ending the Edo Period. 

Secondly, we visited Nijō Castle. Here are some pics I took:

This castle, unlike the Imperial Palace, was for the the ruling Shogunate. Edo (Tokyo) was the capitol city for the Tokugawa Shogunate, but Kyoto was still where the Imperial Household was. So, I am assuming, this castle was used as to house Shoguns and what not so as to keep in touch with the Imperial household and feudal lords. This castle was also the place where the declaration for returning power to the Imperial Court was held, which occurred in 1867. After that, the Imperial court moved to Edo (by this time, the largest city on the planet) to resume it's reign. 

Next, we went to Kinkaku-ji.

And then, to Ginkaku-ji!

Finally, we visited the Kyoto Tower.

 Kyoto Station (really big; couldn't get the whole station in one shot)

 Shinkansen.

 Buddha and a Pagoda. 

Today was a pretty great day. Now, I will go out once again to have some dinner and possibly take in some of the night life. Tomorrow, Justin and I will make our final stop at Hiroshima. Till then, stay tuned.