My son is studying in Kyoto, and I recently spent a week visiting. I spent most of the days walking the city, till my feet were sore.
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2 Kyoto Station with Kyoto Tower in the background


3 The train station in Osaka


4 This is in the gardens of Osaka Castle. These photo-things were really popular for snaps.


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6 There are a LOT of hunched over old folks in Japan. Some were bent at nearly 90°.


7 This is in Teramachi, an INCREDIBLE and large pedestrian shopping center in Kyoto.


8 Teramachi is just off of Shijo Dori, the main shopping street. Shijo has the mainstream more western-style shopping, and Teramachi has little stalls and much more local color.


9 Shijo Dori


10 Coming down the steps from one of the temples. Kyoto was swarming with school kids the week I was there. I believe it was the week that every 6th grader (or equivalent) went on a field trip to learn about japanese history.


11 A beautiful park adjoining one of the temples. Duck pond stocked with large carp. Awesome.


12 Back on Shijo Dori


13 This is the edge of the Gion District, which is known for its more traditional vibe.


14 The Kamo River from Shoji Dori. This marks the border between the shopping district and Gion.


15 Gion District


16 Gion District


17 These were in the Gion District. I paid 100¥ for the right to photograph them. There was a sign that asked that I put the payment in "the frog." (which you can barely see at the bottom of the third photo)


18 Like I said, lots of kids. Several interviewed me, obviously for school credit for speaking english with a foreigner.


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21 I really enjoyed the english language T-shirts.


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24 And the signs...


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26 Philosopher's Walk. A beautiful walk from temple to temple.


27 A pre-school bus. Can you tell?


28 We went to Monkey Park, which is a LONG hike uphill. I pretty much felt the same as this monkey once I got up there.


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30 A street performer in Osaka Castle Park


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32 I bought some green tea for my daughter in Teramachi


33 And a fan for my wife (also in Teramchi)


34 Making cookies in Teramachi


35 Yum.


36 I had fun watching this photo session for a bit.


37 Japan. Thank you. Exactly.


The gallery is here.

These pictures bring back great memories. I've visited Japan a few times and really love it. Kyoto is spectacular, particularly during the cherry blossom festival.

I love #10. I thought for a minute that they were just standing there waiting... then you notice the picture V-sign, so I thought they knew you were back there, then you notice the little elbow of the person actually taking their picture. Nice.

#6. You really have to be careful of the obaasan. Some of them can be quite testy! I was always amazed to see them hiking up these really tall temples with stairs and ladders.

#31. I do *not* remember Smoking Areas when I was there... I wonder how recent those are.

Your Engrish pictures are great. I assume you know about that web site? Hilarious.

And of course, monkeys. I love Japan!

Originally Posted by ChrisJ These pictures bring back great memories. I've visited Japan a few times and really love it. Kyoto is spectacular, particularly during the cherry blossom festival. I love #10. I thought for a minute that they were just standing there waiting... then you notice the picture V-sign, so I thought they knew you were back there, then you notice the little elbow of the person actually taking their picture. Nice. #6. You really have to be careful of the obaasan. Some of them can be quite testy! I was always amazed to see them hiking up these really tall temples with stairs and ladders. #31. I do *not* remember Smoking Areas when I was there... I wonder how recent those are. Your Engrish pictures are great. I assume you know about that web site? Hilarious. And of course, monkeys. I love Japan!

Thanks for the comments! I really, really loved my visit. My only regret is that my wife wasn't able to join me and share it with me. Next time!

As for the obaasan (new word to me), there were so many, and I didn't really want to take a picture of the deformed lady, but I did want a record of it for myself, as part of the experience of being there. Yet, I felt a bit voyeuristic about it.

What a great opportunity!

Some friends of mine are living in Okinawa for the next few years. It's interesting to note the differences between their city pictures and yours.

Pretty cool!

Wow, great pics and a wonderful narrative. My daughter lived in the Tokyo suburbs for 3 years and we visited her 2 times. Kyoto was one of the most fascinating places!

Originally Posted by FlyNavy Wow, great pics and a wonderful narrative. My daughter lived in the Tokyo suburbs for 3 years and we visited her 2 times. Kyoto was one of the most fascinating places!

Thanks so much for the comments! I LOVED Kyoto!

SO AWESOME David! Thank you so much for sharing these moments with us. Great set. Japan is on my short list of places to visit. Unfortunately, it's on my wife's long list.

All are great but #10, 14 and 15 are my absolute favorites.

I also enjoyed the shots with you serving as "tourist attraction". I got a lot of the same when I visited the Philippines last year. I stood out like a sore thumb. Oh... and I see you eventually got the requisite peace sign down for your poses. An Asian must for all pics.

Originally Posted by anonymouscuban SO AWESOME David! Thank you so much for sharing these moments with us. Great set. Japan is on my short list of places to visit. Unfortunately, it's on my wife's long list. All are great but #10, 14 and 15 are my absolute favorites. I also enjoyed the shots with you serving as "tourist attraction". I got a lot of the same when I visited the Philippines last year. I stood out like a sore thumb. Oh... and I see you eventually got the requisite peace sign down for your poses. An Asian must for all pics.

Thanks! It was such a blast. Hopefully you can move it up on your wife's list.

great photographs, that seems like interesting place! thanks for sharing

Originally Posted by Awais Yaqub great photographs, that seems like interesting place! thanks for sharing

Thanks, Awais! It was really fascinating.

Thanks for sharing! After doing some post grad studies on Japan my wife and I finally visited in 2001. She lived there as a student. Now more than 10years later we desperately want to return. You just reminded me how badly I want to go back

Excellent series from a beautiful part of the world! I was there last November for 11 days and am returning again this November for 16 days!

Originally Posted by jasonstone Thanks for sharing! After doing some post grad studies on Japan my wife and I finally visited in 2001. She lived there as a student. Now more than 10years later we desperately want to return. You just reminded me how badly I want to go back

Originally Posted by Blufox Excellent series from a beautiful part of the world! I was there last November for 11 days and am returning again this November for 16 days!

Thank you both!

What a beautiful series of photographs! You give me more inspiration to try to get my butt across the pacific and see eastern asia!

Originally Posted by DRT-Maverick What a beautiful series of photographs! You give me more inspiration to try to get my butt across the pacific and see eastern asia!

Why thank you! You should. I had such a great time. Now I'm home, though, I don't venture out the door.

13 reminds me of Bresson's 1954 Boy with Bottles.

33 is so precious and a fave!

Originally Posted by Alexandra88 13 reminds me of Bresson's 1954 Boy with Bottles. 33 is so precious and a fave!

Thanks for the comments, Alexandra.

The Japanese are typically a happy bunch of people. They work hard, are extremely family-oriented, and are outgoing and gregarious to strangers: especially us gaijins! I was lucky enough to live there for two years in the 70's. Unfortunately, unlike you, I have not been back. Your photos make me want to go NOW!

Thanks for the inspiration.

Originally Posted by D3Xwannabe The Japanese are typically a happy bunch of people. They work hard, are extremely family-oriented, and are outgoing and gregarious to strangers: especially us gaijins! I was lucky enough to live there for two years in the 70's. Unfortunately, unlike you, I have not been back. Your photos make me want to go NOW! Thanks for the inspiration.

Thanks, Carl! I hope you manage to get back. It'd be interesting to hear about the different experiences now as opposed to the 70's.