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View of the train station in Japan. This is located in the city of Narita, neighboring Tokyo. Everything is very clean and trains run precisely on schedule!

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This train is called the Narita Express and goes from Narita International Airport to Tokyo, where you catch the bullet train.

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This is us after the very long (multiple) plane rides from Ohio!

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We were very sleepy and dizzy from all the planes, but excited to be in Japan!

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This is the view of the countryside from the train.

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There were many fields along the way. I'm not sure what kind of crop was growing...

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A local riding his bicycle down a field.

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This is the Bullet Train (Shinkansen). The word shinkansen simply means "new main line" and refers to the fact that the train line was built completely from scratch. All trains start and finish at Tokyo's main station, the shinkansen hub a

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The bedroom had a balcony with a view of the mountains. The balcony also had a washing machine to do laundry.

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We had a double bed and the apartment was pretty big for a 2 week stay.

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This is the view from our apartment balcony.

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We had a desk with high speed internet access and a TV on a swivel base that we could watch from the bedroom if we wanted.

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The kitchen was small but efficient. It had a 2 burner gas stove top.

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The toilet was in a separate room and had a sink over the tank to make efficient use of the water.

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The sink and shower were also in a separate room.

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This is the view when you entered the apartment. It was the kitchen with the bathroom on the right. Followed by the living room, then the bedroom at the far end.

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The refrigerator with a Microwave on top and a Rice Cooker on top of that.

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The dining room table with seating for 2. The table had a flap so it could expand to a bigger size.

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The bedroom had Shoji Doors that closed for privacy.

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This is Mrs. Saito (Yuko's Mom). Yuko and her mom came to visit us as often as they could and showed us around the city.

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This is Yuko with her mom.

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Me and Yuko. My apartment was located a few blocks away from the Heian-Jingu Shrine. On our first outing, we went to visit the Shrine.

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This is the Heian-Jingu Shrine, one of Kyoto's most popular sites. The shrine was built in 1895.

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Me and Yuko in front of the Shrine.

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Outside of every shrine there was a purifying station.

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Yuko explained to me that you need to clean your body and mind at the Water Place before visiting the main shrine. You t ake a water scoop in right hand. Scoop water and wash the left hand.
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This is me cleaning my Body and Mind...

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We got our fortunes.

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Yuko getting ready to tie up her fortune.

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When you tie up your fortune, it will come true. This is Yuko's fortune.

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This is my fortune.

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Me in front of the shrine.

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Shin'en Garden at the Heian-Jingu Shrine.

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There was an old trolley located towards the front of the garden.

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Past a cluster of trees was the Naka Shin'en (Middle Garden). There was a crane in the pond.

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The pond is surrounded by an exquisite expanse of rabbit-ear irises.

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After walking through the heat, we had some green tea shaved ice with red bean ice cream and mochi rice balls.

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Shobi-kan (Kihin-kan) - Cypress bark shingled wooden structure formerly located on grounds of Kyoto Imperial Palace. Built in 1912.

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Taihei-kaku (Hashidono) - Also made from Cypress bark-shingled, wooden structure formerly located on grounds of Kyoto Imperial Palace. Built in 1912

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Lunch at a local Noodle Shop. This was Yuri's dish.

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This was Yuko's dish.

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This was my dish. You're supposed to take the egg and mix it and then dump it into the soup to cook.

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Visit to Nanzen-Ji temple.

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The present buildings date from the 17th century. It operates now as the headquarters of the Rinzai schools.

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At the entrance to the temple stands the San-mon gate (1628).

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You're supposed to sit down and take in the tranquility.

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There was incense that is supposed to heal your injured body areas. You need to take the smoke and kind of wave it over the parts you want to heal.

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The inside is closed to the public, but you can stare inside.

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Inside is very ornate.

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Its ceiling is adorned with Tosa and Kano school murals of birds and angels.

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There was a 2nd storey that you could climb, but it cost an extra 300 Yen and I couldn't do stairs with my bad knee.

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A red-brick aqueduct in front of Nanzen-in. If you follow the road that runs parallel to the aqueduct up into the hills there is a small shrine.

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Eating at Kappa Zushi! The Sushi went on a conveyor belt.

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Yuri admiring all the sushi...

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If there wasn't a particular sushi, you could order it and it would be delivered on a tiny bullet train.

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Entrance gate of Nijo Castle.

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The Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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The castle was originally build in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of the 1st Tokigawa Shogun, Ieyasu.

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The castle was completed in 1626 by the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu.

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The ornate work was amazing to look at.

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Ninomaru Palace is characterized by the elegant, yet simple shoin-zukuri architectural style, preferred by the warrior class. It has 33 rooms and over 800 tatami mats.

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Old copper bell.

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Pictures were not allowed inside. The superb wall paintings were done by prominent members of the Kano School.

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Ninomaru Garden is a large-scale garden called shoin-zukuri style.

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In the center of the pond stands one large island (representing the Island of Eternal Happiness) flanked by two smaller islands (representing Crane island and Turtle Island).

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A crane standing on top of the wall of the of the castle tower.

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The inner moat.

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Seishomon Gate - One of the entrance gates to Kyoto Imperial Palace.

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The Imperial Family's crest was the 17 petal chrysanthemum.

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Shodaibunoma - Picture of the Tiger Room.

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The Crane Room - This building was used as a waiting area for courtiers paying official visits to the Palace. There are 3 rooms named after the objects painted on the 'fusuma' sliding door: the Tiger Room, Crane room and Cherry Room.

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The Imperial Family Crest was evident on top of all the structures.

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Gishumon Gate

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Gishumon Gate - In the old days, this gate was used by government ministers, siblings of the emperor, court nobles, and princes and princesses.

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Shishinden - was rebuilt in 1855 and is the most important building on the Palace grounds. It was used for important ceremonies of state such as enthronement ceremonies.

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Kyoto Imperial Palace Jomeimon Gate. In the background you can see the Cherry Tree on the right side of the Shishinden.

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The Imperial family decided to use Orange as the color, instead of the typical Chinese color of red.

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Kenshunmon Gate

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The Shunkoden was built to place the sacred mirror used during the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Taisho in 1915.

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The Seiryoden was used as the Emperor??s residence before the Otsunegoten was built. It is built in the traditional shinden style like the Shishinden, but the floor is built much lower and the building has many more internal

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The east garden of Seiryoden is laid with white sand. Two types of bamboo, kuretake and kawatake, are grown there.

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Kogosho - This structure was used on occasions when the Emperor received the Shogun or Daimyos. This building was destroyed by fire in 1954 and rebuilt in 1958.

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Ogakumonjo - was used by the Emperor for studying and reading poetry.

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It was built in an architectural design similar to the shoin style, with a floor and alcove shelves.

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The white paint at the tips are made from ground up sea shells and is used to prevent termite damage.

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Bridge near the Oikeniwa Garden.

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Oikeniwa Garden - is a strolling garden with an artificial shoreline toward the front and stepping stones across to a boat mooring place.

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There is an arc-shaped Keyakibashi Bridge that stretches across the pond.

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It is possible to enjoy this beautiful scenery from many different angles along the shore.

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Ginkakuji Temple - The World Cultural Heritage Site.

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Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Temple) sits on top of a hill. It was built by the grandson of the guy that built the Golden Pavilion, but he died before he could plate the temple in silver.

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Sand garden at the entrance of Ginkakuji Temple. The ripples in the sand represent the ocean waves.

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Ginkaku from another side.

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The white sand Mt. Fuji shaped Kogetsudai is enchanting.

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Kannon-den is 2 storied. The 1st floor, Shinku-den is built in Shoin style, traditional Japanese residential architecture style.

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The second floor, Cho-onkaku, is Chinese temple stype having Katoumado in the panel wall and a Chinese sliding door.

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The contrast of Ginsyadan representing waves and Mt. Fuji with Kannon-den in the background.

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Togu-do is the oldest Shoin style building existing with a one story Irimoya style and a roof thatched with Japanese cypress.

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Up on the hill overlooking Togu-do. It was very peaceful and serene.

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The hall has a panel floored area in the south part, two Buddhist alter rooms on one side and two rooms in the north side.

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The tatami mat room in the northeast sid is called Dojinsai, and was the stage originating Higashiyama culture.

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View from the hill top with Kannon-den poking through the trees

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Up on the hill there was a mini garden with water.

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There was also a shrine.

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Painting by Yosa Buson (1716~1783) born in Osaka.

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The paintings in the main hall are by Ike no Taiga (1723~1776), born in Kyoto JAPAN.

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Hedge at Ginkakuji is about 50 meters long made of stones, bamboos and camelias lining both sides of the aproach form the main entrance to the courtyard.

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The entrance gate as seen from the opposite side.

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Trip to Osaka. Yuko's family took us to this building for lunch.

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On the bottom they had an exact replica of Michael Jackson's Neverland entrance.

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We had lunch all the way at the top of the building. This is Yuko's dad.

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The Sky Lounge STARDUST. The food was YUMMY!

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This is the view from our table while we ate.

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Yuko with her family invited us to lunch.

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After lunch we went to the top of building to the observation deck which is 167 meters above ground.

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On the way to Osaka Castle.

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View from the top of Osaka Castle.

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Osaka was way bigger than Kyoto.

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You could see the gold fish on the castle roof.

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That's real gold!

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The Golden Pavilion - (Kinkaku Temple)

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The Golden Pavilion is another World Cultural Heritage site.

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The temple is triple plated in gold.

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Kinkaku was formally called Shariden. The elegant, harmonious building consists of 3 types of architecture.

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The 1st floor is Shinden-zukuri (palace style). The 2nd floor is Buke-zukuri (Samurai house style). The 3rd floor is Karayo style (Zen Temple style).

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The roof has a Chinese phoenix with thatched shingles.

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The name of the pond is Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond). The pond contains many large and small islands.

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Ginga-sen - The Galaxy Spring.

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Small Fudodo Shrine where the stone Fudo-myooo (Acala) is enshrined as a guardian.

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The Sekka-tei Tea House.

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Toji-Temple

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Five-storied Pagoda that is a national treasure from the Edo period.

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It is the highest pagoda in Japan, measuring 187 feet.

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It was built by Kobo-daishi in 826 and burned down four times after being struck by lightning.

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The present pagoda was built by the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu, in 1644.

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Inside are placed the images of 4 Buddhas and their followers, the eight great Bosatsu.

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There were 2 Geisha's at the Kiyomizu Temple.

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This was the other Geisha at the temple.

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They were both very shy and kept looking down. It was really hard to take a picture of them looking straight ahead.

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They would not look at anyone.

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I had to stand there a while to get this particular shot.

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I wonder what they thought of the many tourist taking their pictures.

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At the top of Kiyomizu Temple.

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The pagoda at Kiyomizu. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

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The original Kiyomizu Temple dates from the eighth century C.E.

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The main hall is built out onto pillars. The effect is that of a deck reaching out from the foot of the mountain.

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View of Kyoto from the deck at Kiyomizu Temple. You can see Kyoto Tower off in the distance.

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The most well-known aspect of Kiyomzu dera is the huge veranda of the main hall. It juts out on wooden pillars and is an impressive site.

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Arashiyama bamboo forest.

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It was raining when we went to the forest.

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Bamboo groves are found behind Tenryuji Temple and along the trail to the Okochi Sanso.

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The bamboo is still used to manufacture various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes, mats and pieces of art at workshops in the Arashiyama area.

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Rows upon rows of long, ringed, smooth stems??provide a feeling of composure and tranquility.

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The sound of wind blowing through bamboo, of stems knocking against one another and leaves rustling, is revered in Japan.

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These bamboo were huge!

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This is the bamboo forest where the tree top fight scene of the movie 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon' was filmed.

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The last day, on the way back home to Ohio. Taking the bullet train back to Tokyo.

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The train is very aerodynamic and almost looks like a plane from the outside.

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Mountain Climbing the 1st day

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About a third of the way up the mountain.

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My Father-In-Law does this hike very often and is an expert hiker.
He had to take my hand the way down to guide me and prevent me from slipping on loose rocks along the way.

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View of Phoenix in the background.

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Grandpa Vladislav and Claire.
On the way up Grandpa took Claire's hand and guided her.
I was either at the back of the pack or in the middle.

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More mountains far away.
Those mountains are even taller than the one we hiked.
My father-in-law also hikes those mountains.

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Almost there! Better view of Phoenix.

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Yuri and Peter.
Yuri carried Peter in his arms the WHOLE way (both ways).
We should have taken a hiking baby carrier with us.

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Vladislav, Yuri, Claire + Peter.

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Bunny ears

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About 10 minutes from the top of the mountain and Yuri making a silly face.

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Enjoying the scenery.

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There was a thin ledge towards the top of the mountain where you could stop, catch your breath and take pictures.

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Gorgeous Views. It's very different to see it in person.

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Road Trip from Phoenix to Tucson to visit Yuri's Grandma. It's about a 2hour car ride.

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Random view of a desert plant along the highway.

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Peter fell asleep right away and slept the whole car ride from Phoenix to Tucson.

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Yuri enjoying the pleasant car ride.

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I was also enjoying the desert trip.

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Claire from the back seat, keeping an eye on her brother and playing games on my cell phone.

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Me

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Yuri

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Claire from the back seat.

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Monoliths along the way...

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More desert plants.

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View of Arizona Desert from the highway.

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Various Cacti that grow naturally in the desert.

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Trip to Old Tucson Studios.
Very popular film site for various western films.
Movies have been filmed here with John Wayne, Paul Newman, Tombstone with Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell, Wyatt Earp, O.K. Corral and don't forget Little House on the Prarie.

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An old carriage on the set.

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Claire sitting in the carriage.

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Saguaro Cacti

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The Cacti grow huge!

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A visit at the Old Tucson Story Museum.

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We learned about the amazing history of Old Tucson Studios. Blast off!

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We saw original costumes worn by several tv stars including Little House on the Prairie and Bonanza.

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An old Saddle with some Little House on the Prarie costumes in the background.

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Example of a typical classroom at the turn of the century.

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People visiting the studios could go on horse rides for an extra fee.

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They even offered Trail Rides around their 40 acre property on horseback.

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Very beautiful and tamed horses.

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We took a train ride around the studio that was a lot of fun on the C.P. Huntington Train.

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All Aboard!

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Peter would have really enjoyed this train ride.

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It was a fun excursion through Old Tucson Studios and the beautiful Arizona Sonora Desert.

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Picture of a church.

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Mountains

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Studio Sign of an Old western movie: The Hanging Tree

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View of a church and mountain

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Parked Train

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Panning for Gold! It only cost $2 to rent the equipment. We didn't strike it rich, but ended up getting a lot of fools gold that Claire got to keep in a nice souvenir container.

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Burlesque Hotel in the Studios

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Can-Can musical show at the hotel.

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Reenactment of Billy the Kids final days.

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Sushi lunch with Cousin Elena (Lena) and her husband Richard.

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Claire LOVES Sushi !

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We love Sushi too!

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Ahhh my tummy is full...

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After Sushi, we went to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

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Pond Fish

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Cactus flower in bloom

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Picture of a Bubula (turtle). I couldn't resist taking a pic.

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Yuri hiding from the strong desert sun.

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Yuri and cousin Lena spending quality time together.

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Lena taking a picture of me taking a picture of them.

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Uncle Richard had a great time with Claire and showed her around the museum.

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Claire sitting on a turtle.

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Claire as a Turtle.

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Too bad I didn't take a panorama of this. The museum had an entire wall display of the evolution of animals from a single cell along a time line. Here, Claire is staring at the display.

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Another desert bird. I wish I knew the exact name of this bird.

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Another beautiful view of the Arizona desert.

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At Aunt Irina's house.

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Her backyard. Lena and Richard's son, George chasing their cat.

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Yuri's cousin Yan with Irina and Olga in the background.

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Irina and Olga

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Yuri's Grandma is very shy at taking pictures.

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Another picture of Yuri's Grandma.

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Multiple attempts at getting a family picture.

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Multiple attempts at getting a family picture.

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Multiple attempts at getting a family picture.

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