Photoessay #1020 - Thousands of students

This shot doesn't quite capture the scene early this morning at Kiyumizu-Dera, a large Buddhist temple on beautiful grounds, an important site in East Kyoto. The temple dates back to 798 but the current buildings were constructed in 1633.

In Japan, many high school students take a trip to Kyoto to visit the historic sites. Thousands and thousands were at this temple this morning. They all wear uniforms, suits and ties for the boys and the girls wear skirts and tops, often with a sailor motif. Many variations in neutral colors. The kids poured up the narrow streets lined with souvenir shops spilling out onto the temple verandas. I generally enjoyed them but so many! Even too many for me. Generally well organized and compliant, generally having a good time.

Later we went to some other sites including the silver temple. We stopped at a little shop and ate some, um, not sure, you know one of those powdered rice fish things. Or something. Nobuko can chat up ANYBODY. The proprietor said that many more had been here some weeks ago when the cherry blossoms were in full swing (they weren't blooming yet in Yamagata and almost done in Kyoto). More? How could there be more? They're EVERYWHERE!

As planned, we are back in Tokyo, Nobuko went back to Yamagata. Kind of a tearful goodbye. Why did it take 43 years?

Note (though you probably already know): The US banks will tell you that your debit card is good in Japan. Ha ha, right, they always say that. Also your debit or credit card is not much use because most places don't accept them. You need cash. Yen. Bills. So, as we are heading into our last weekend of sightseeing with less than $100 in bills, we decide to try to find an ATM. Supposed to be everywhere but I haven't seen any. We finally end up back Ueno Station, find an atm. Debit card doesn't work. Credit card doesn't work. Person at Japan Railways says that foreigners often have to use the ATM at the 7-11 down the street. We try that. Debit card doesn't work, credit card doesn't work. We make our way to the hotel. It's now about 6pm Friday evening and hotel staff has a few suggestions. We stop at some ATMs in a lobby in front of a closed bank. Finally the ATM works.

Another note: Everything they way about the Japanese trains is true. Fast, comfortable, efficient, well-used, reliable, really high quality. The large stations I've seen (Tokyo, Ueno in Tokyo, Kyoto) are truly impressive. Huge, with TONS of people.