2010_08 Japan Part 3 Kyoto and Beyond HD

Although ravaged by wars, fires, and earthquakes during its eleven centuries as the imperial capital, Kyoto was spared from the firebombing of World War II. With its 2000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and architecture intact, it is one of the best preserved cities in Japan. I was amazed at this city and in our few days there we had a wonderful cross section of the culture.
Our first day in Kyoto we took a bus tour which brought us to the various famous temples and shrines. The most impressive by far was Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. The gardens, ponds, and the like were breathtaking to see. This was but one of the many sites in Kyoto.
In walking the streets of Kyoto you can't help but notice the bicycles. They are everywhere.
Japan's television and film industry has its center in Kyoto. Many jidaigeki, action films featuring samurai, were shot at Toei Uzumasa Eigamura (a place we visited). A film set and theme park in one, Eigamura features replicas of traditional Japanese buildings which are used for jidaigeki. Among the sets are a replica of the old Nihonbashi (the bridge at the entry to Edo), a traditional courthouse, a Meiji Period police box and part of the former Yoshiwara red-light district. Actual film shooting takes place occasionally, and visitors are welcome to observe the action and although there was no filming when we visited we were able to see a live action show performed by current TV stars. After the show they posed with us outside the venue.
Nara was our next touring opportunity. Nara is one of the world's special places. The capital of Japan even before Kyoto (from 710-794), Nara has some of Japan's most important cultural treasures, most of which are protected from the encroachment of modernity by peaceful parkland (unlike Kyoto). We took a taxi from Kyoto and we were dropped in the heart of the main park area near Todaiji Temple home of the Great Buddha of Nara. We were greeted almost immediately by the protected and sacred deer. Todaiji is famous for housing Japan's largest Buddha statue.
Osaka was our next port of call and although a stopping point for a visit to the Osaka Universal Studios we had opportunity to check out the incredible night life here. niversal Studios of Osaka was a full day of fun. It was a riot seeing similar presentations from California but done in Japanese. Although there were lots of people the Japanese are very orderly when it comes to queues and the like.

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