Japan, Day 5: Kyoto

Our second day in Kyoto, we decided to see Nishiki Market, a huge [long] marketplace with vendors crammed together selling their wares.  We tried a few delicious treats while scanning the food stands, and took a few pictures along the way.  *Please click on the pictures to better view them!*

Sashimi on a stick!

Next we headed to Nijo Castle, another World Heritage Site.  This was one of my favorite sites on the trip just because the floors were designed to make a nightingale sound (squeak) to keep the occupants safe(r) from sneak attacks!

There was so much detailed and beautiful woodwork. 

After our visit to Nijo Castle, we headed to the west side of the prefecture to check out the bamboo grove.  We stopped for a bite to eat after the short train ride...

We had a few hours until the bamboo grove and the surrounding area was to be lit up with lamps, so we stopped in to see another World Heritage Site, Tenryu-ji Temple.  The grounds were magnificent, and would definitely be a place to see in the spring and fall.  Luckily, there were still some interesting fall colors when we visited.

Finally, we made it to the bamboo grove, which I had been eagerly anticipating for a few months.  We had to kill some time before the lanterns turned on, but I'm glad we got there early.  The line to see the bamboo grove lit up was a couple of miles long--luckily, we only got slowed down leaving.

BTW, the night time pictures are from my husband, thanks to his handy-dandy tripod:)  You can see the rest of his pics HERE.