長谷寺 Hase-dera Kamakura

If you're in Kamakura this temple's definitely worth a visit. It was crowded but nothing like a Tokyo subway car. The merging of commercialism and religion in all of these touristed temples is interesting. There are truly devout people visiting these places but they may also be cash carrying tourists at the same time. This temple has a restaurant on the grounds and a yummy stall selling some rice dumplings. I'd imagine if these temples weren't tourist attractions a lot of the history and treasures would be long gone by now.

One area of the temple is dedicated to the worship of a guardian of children which, at least in Japan, means that this photo of many statues is probably really sad...

金閣寺 Kinkaku-ji

Though the rain came all day long, most of it was fairly light. I managed to get a bunch of pictures one handed while holding the umbrella with the other. Overall it worked out pretty well and the place I'm staying at even has a shoe dryer which worked wonders this evening.

Kyoto seems like a place where you could spend as much or as little time as you want wandering around the endless shrines, temples, and historic areas of town. It's definitely a huge tourist draw as most of the businesses seem to have English menus and will immediately begin speaking to you in English when you walk in. Definitely have an itinerary in mind when you get here or else you'll be overwhelmed with your options.

First up was Kinkaku-ji, and yes it's actually coated in gold. This temple pretty much demands that you visit it if you get near Kyoto. But don't get there before they open like I did or else you'll have to find a coffee shop and wait out the 40 something degree temps and rain. Beat the crowds here though as the parking lot looked like it could hold a *lot* of tour buses.