Castles, Shrines and Gion..Oh My! Today we started early and went to Nijo Castle. Nijo Castle was built in 1603, completed in 1623. It is one of the finest examples of the early Edo period. It was where the Shogun lived. The castle was surrounded a moat,which is pretty typical of most castles I know, but this one with an Asian flare. The grounds in the castle were well manicured and very beautiful. From there we hopped a bus to the Kinkaku/Rokuon-ji Temple or better known as the Golden Pavilion. The Temple was gold and shimmered in the summer heat. The pond around the temple was stocked with huge koi and the water was capped with Lilly pads. We braved the heat and strolled the grounds enjoying the sites and smaller shrines on the way.One of the highlights was the large Zen garden situated in the park. I could have used a large rake! Then it was back on the bus and to the Old Imperial Palace called Ninna-Ji.Founded in 888 and was the residence of the ex-emperor. Now it is noted for being Omouro School for Shingon sect of Buddhism. Beautiful tea houses and Pagodas are on site and we enjoyed wondering through them , even though it had started to rain. Luckily Mark remembered to pack the plastic ponchos. I was styling in my Only for Men hair coloring poncho, Mark wore the U of D poncho. Where was that fair! We then had a quick stop for lunch at the Kyoto train station and off to Kiyoizu Temple where we had the chance for 100 ten to be reborn and enlightened. We traveled through complete darkness, lead only by a rope to we finally got to the a large stone ball. " One wish, One wish only" the man told us before we entered. So I laid my hand on the ball and made a wish. From there we exited, just like from our Buddha mother's womb. One more Shrine Rik told us as we pushed ourselves, tired hot and wet, he assured us this was the best shrine. He was right. The Jishu Shrine or the cupid of Japan is were the G-d of love and matchmaking resides. A rabbit is his messenger. This shrine was very crowded and full of young people. Young people buy charms there to pray for their own future happiness and parents want them to pray for their children. A win -win for all. Now by this time we were pretty Shrined out and enjoyed window shopping in the stores on the way down to Gion. We stopped for a local treat of some type of green powder on jelly cubes that Rik and Mai enjoyed. Can't say I would eat it again! We ended the day in Gion, going in and out of shops and eating a light dinner of barbecue beef. Back to the hotel for a well deserved sleep and ready tomorrow for Nara and more shrines, Oh My!!