So much Kansai, so little time.

I don’t want to spend all my time writing photoblog posts, so I’m combining several days worth of bits and pieces into a set meal here.  In order, we have:

• Toji Temple Market (largest in Japan, 21st of every month).
• Fushimi Inari (I’ve taken so many photos here, I just don’t know how I can possibly get anything really new).
• Keage Incline (abandoned section of the Keihan Line in Higashiyama).
• Kanga-an (Emperor Go-Mizuno’s villa, converted a temple which now houses a vegetarian restaurant and bar).
• Hirano Jinja (just north of Kitano Tenmangu, sporting some early Sakura).
• Kinkajuji, arguably the most famous tourist spot in Kyoto.  I’d been once and found myself depressed by the massive and obnoxious crowds, but I was in the area and the sun was shining.  And I admit, it is gorgeous – but the crowds are still just as bad.
• Honen-in – My precious postage stamp of a temple in northern Higashiyama.  Meter-for-meter maybe the most beautiful temple in the world.
• Minoo – Japan’s first National Park, in the mountains north of Osaka.  Home to Minoo Falls, a 33-meter waterfall (and monkey fugitives, apparently).
• Kobe – As seen from the City Hall (free) observation deck.  A city lacking in real knockout attractions, but generally very attractive and liveable.  Perfectly sandwiched between the mountains and the sea.