Kyoto

Taken from the train from Tokyo.

Taken from the train, Tokyo to Kyoto.

Non-stop fun, window shopping and people watching, if you're lucky enough to stay in the hotel above the station. www.japan-guide.com/e/e3922.html

This place is like a cavernous, multi-level space station. It's not my favorite architecture, but it's certainly...impressive. Chock-full of massive and disparate elements, weird traffic flow, endless stairs and tight, single-file escalators. I was told that it was designed by the same firm that designed Disneyland France - or something like that - and that it was highly controversial in conservative Kyoto when finished. (People hated it then and still do, in other words.) Kyoto is a traditional city and this station is more Tokyo style. www.japan-guide.com/e/e3922.html

Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station. My impression of the design of this massive complex was, "Good grief." www.japan-guide.com/e/e3922.html

Uppermost level of Kyoto Station.

This is one facade of the Kyoto Train Station, which is across from Tokyo Tower. AA262 Reflections.

Or, something like that...

AA237 Had to stop!

I fell in love with the gorgeous red-orange used in many shrines and temples. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushimi_Inari-taisha AA338 - Red!

The Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and sake and one of the most popular Shinto shrines in Japan. (Shrines are Shinto, temples are Buddhist.) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushimi_Inari-taisha

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Gate detail. Fushimi Inari-taisha. Kyoto, Japan.