Gion Matsuri

7/28/2013 - Kyoto, Japan

Today, Kyoto became one of my favorite cities. We walked along the east end: from Ginkakuji Temple all the way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. We walked the "Path of Philosophy," through Murayama Park, and through Gion. We stopped at temples, parks, shrines, and restaurants. In such a developed country, we were surprised to see the traditional clothing worn by many Japanese (including, in Gion, two geishas). We even had a little excitement: I dropped my iPhone into a canal and had to jump in to rescue it. 

By noon, we had already decided it was one of the best days we would have in Japan. By 6:00, I'd decided Kyoto was a favorite. To top it off, we saw a ceremony that was part of Japan's biggest annual festivals, Gion Matsuri. We were briefly awed, but so hungry that we collapsed into an unagi (eel) restaurant in Gion. Our timing was perfect: as we exited the restaurant, we watched a parade leave Gion and stop on the Shijo-dori bridge.

Pictured: A ceremony at Yasaka-jinja Shrine in Kyoto's Gion area.