Kyoto, Japan

 January 29, 2001  Posted in Uncategorized

Towards the end of January I had the chance to visit Japan with my brother Philip. It was a holiday simply to get away from all the worries in the past few months, as well as a chance to see each other after two years apart.

The passing of our mother made me want to weave a better web amongst us brothers, Philip, Kevin, and I, simply because the original bond, my mother, isn’t here anymore.

I am sure mom would want us to stick together, through good and bad times as well.

During this trip, Philip and I travelled through Kyoto, Osaka, Shusenji (in Izu), and Tokyo. These are the pictures that describe our fun times during this two-week trip.

Kiyomizu-dera
All jokes aside (no one complained about the temple at any point – it’s all just my own rant) – the structure itself was a work of beauty – Hiro tells me that they did not use ONE nail for this entire temple built on a mountain – wow – now that is what you call architectural wonder.
This temple is also famous for relationships. Here we have the matchmaking god with his bunny (don’t ask me why he chose a bunny over any other animal…)
Another view of this amazing structure built entirely on the LEGO concept
First picture of me and Philip in two years
Everyone playing the Japanese tourist game (taking pictures)
as Hiro stares at someone’s behind.
This is where the name Clear-Water came from. People stop here from hundreds of miles away just to drink this water to “purify” themselves…

JUST TAKE A SHOWER… that’s what I’d say.
Walking away from the temple, we discovered this store making awesome-tasting pastries… all made by this special dessert-making machine.

Can I find this on ebay…?
Hironori Kanasaki, looking for true love. Until then, he has Aglippa, his dog, to keep him company. Interested in meeting Aglippa? Feel free to email him
For some reason the interior of this store intrigued me – I always liked wooden interior with high ceilings…

Perfect example for how narrow the streets are in Japan – this is actually a TWO LANE street.

Finally stopped for lunch – walked into a small store around the temple and trying to figure out the menu…

This restaurant serves Okonomi-yaki, or Japanese-style pancakes, cooked and warmed on our hot-plate table.
Ingredients include flour, noodles, egg, vegetables, and various seafood. While we were eating, another friend who I met in Minnesota joined us…
Chieko Masuda, who works at Northwest Airlines and occasionally swings by Minneapolis – Nice to see you again Chieko!
Chilly Kyoto… I guess Philip forgot those days when he visited me in Minneapolis two years ago, hehe.
Another temple with a huge statue of Kanon-Sama, the Goddess of Compassion.
Hiro, Chieko and Philip
Toured another temple before heading back to the hotel – this one is called Yasaka Shrine 八坂神社, worshipping the gods of performance arts…
Notice something strange about this picture? The evidence of the evil infiltration of Western Civilization…