Japan Day 28- Katsura Imperial Villa

Today I went to Katsura Imperial Villa. This is one of the treasures of Japan. It is free to visit but you have to make a reservation to see it. It is outside of Kyoto proper so you either have to take a train or bus to see it. I chose the bus, It was about a half hour bus ride from Kyoto Station and my bus pass worked even though it wasn't an inner city bus. Then it was a short walk down a street that could have really used an actual sidewalk.

There are several buildings to see at Katsura but you can't go inside any of them. All of the building sit in a large garden that was designed so you would have different view around every turn. The rain held of just long enough for me finish the tour and then the bottom fell out.

The tour it's self was short only about an hour. They had a free English Audio guide which was nice but it's descriptions were much shorter than what the Japanese guide was saying. The group had to stay together so there was bit disappointing to be rushed through the gardens only to have to wait standing in front of a building for the guide to finish. I felt like we were being herded like cattle. Oh well, I was still able to get some photos.

Photos Day 28