Meiji Jingu, Tokyo, Japan

Amidst the hustle and bustle of busy Tokyo you will find this beautiful tranquil temple in the Yoyogi park. A nice place to stroll by, lots of trees, and gorgeous Tori gates. The colorful sake barrels from the past are treat to the eyes.
We were lucky to be visiting the temple during Spring festival and watched a traditional Japanese performance by a beautiful geisha.

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Kappabashi, Tokyo

Kappabashi is a cook's delight and not much of a touristy place at all. The whole street is lined with shops selling items related to cooking & food. This is where the restaurants shop. I shopped to my heart's content. My finds includes a few kettles, Bento boxes for the kids, chop sticks, tea mugs and salt and pepper shaker.

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Sansoji, Tokyo, Japan

Sansoji also called as Asakusa Kannon is one of Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Apart from a very quiet sanctum sanatorium, you are bound to find red lanterns, pit in the middle of the temple for incenses, huge statues of Buddha and lots of people. 
The streets leading to the temple has all kinds of shops including local sweets, kimonos, fans and the usual suspects.

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Higashiyama District, Kyoto

Higashiyama district is one of the best places to experience historic Kyoto. The place is so well preserved you will see many Chinese visitors, usually young girls, dressed up in Kimonos. You can find small cafes, restaurants, shops that sells anything from fans, kimonos, pottery, many varieties of tea, scarves, knives, art works ...
..including green tea ice cream.

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Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan

Shogun's palace or Nijo castle is any history buff's dream destination to go to. This was an imperial palace and when the royal family moved to Tokyo, they donated this for public viewing. The entire castle is surrounded by moat, wall and a beautiful gate (pic above)
The castle has absolutely no furniture inside as Shogun's enemies could hide behind it. There are some small desks for the clerks to work on. The floors are squeaky so Shogun's enemies cannot sneak into the castle. If you look into the structure below the castle, even today you can see the nails that helped create squeaky wooden floors. The ones visiting the castle has to wear a certain type of garment.

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Golden Temple, Kyoto, Japan

The golden temple is a Zen temple and the entire second and third floor is covered with gold leaf. It has been burnt down multiple times in the past and has been reconstructed. The garden around the temple is as beautiful as the temple itself. This used to be Shogun's retirement house. 
We did a day trip to Kyoto and realize now that we should have stayed there the entire time we were in Japan. Most of the traditional architecture and structures are preserved in this part of the town.

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Kiyomizudera or Pure Water Temple, Kyoto, Japan

The Kiyomizudera temple is an architectural marvel. The logs simply rests in the carved wooden structure and has absolutely no nails. The entire structure can move this way and that. I am guessing it is to protect itself from the earth quakes. The roof is anything like what I have seen before. It was a hot day and the temple inside was so refreshingly cool. Our guide took us to this vantage point for a good picture of the temple.

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