We had a 14 hour layover on the flight home at Osaka, Japan. Rather than sit in the airport, we decide to explore Kyoto for the day. The train station is right at the airport, and we took the express train into the city center. Once we found a place to get money on a Saturday morning, and a very helpful bus map in English from the tourist information, we started our adventure. We walked "The Philosopher's Walk" following a cherry tree lined canal close to several temples and shrines. It was a daily walk of  philosophy professor in early 20th century. At the north end is Ginkaku-ji, named the Silver Pavilion, but it never received it's silver coating. It was built by the grandson of the man who built the Golden Pavilion (see below.)

    As we walked the upper road, we passed
a Buddhist cemetery with beautiful carvings.

Here I entering Otoyo-jinja, a Shinto shrine
among all the Buddhist temples on the walk.
Neil lead us through a neighborhood and alley and
there we were at the bridge to Nyakuoji Shrine.

A shopping stop by the canal for hand painted jewelry and flower pictures.

One of the most beautiful temples in Kyoto and probably the most photographed is Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. It was originally built in the 1300's but has been rebuilt a few times due to fires. The second and third stories are covered in gold leaf and topped by a bronze phoenix. The gardens are wonderful with streams and a small waterfall.