Kyoto -Day 3-

Third day in Kyoto. I had to leave my hotel by 11:00 going to Gifu. There are so many things to see, places to visit in Kyoto....could not done enough at all! Last night, some body told me there was a castle called "Nijyo-castle" in town, and recommended to go since it was pretty close where I stayed. My buddy and I took a cab (well, grabbed a coffee first) and headed to Nijyo-castle. It was like 5 min ride. I was thinking "I did not see any castle while we were driving last couple of days. Maybe it is just park the castle used to be...." especially after looking at massive Kumamoto and Matsue castle. We are not allowed to bring any drink inside so we stay outside of the gate and finished our coffee.

Okay, here we go.....Well, I was totally wrong!! The place was a huge park and it includes a palace preserving original wood floors, paper sliding doors with gorgeous paintings, decorative carving on the wood wall.....I could not believe what they have there.
As we walk, there are so many sliding doors with gold painting. My buddy noticed all the gold part is consisted by small squares. I told him I don't know about it, it might be their time's technique or something....then an idea crossed my mind....It is very very thin real gold leaves put together!! If you have seen gold leaf on top of high-end restaurant dishes or in sake as decoration, that is what I am talking about. Each gold leaf is about 2 or 3 inches squares, filling the big campus of sliding doors. Unfortunately, we can't take a picture inside of the main palace, oh I wish I can show you how great they are! Very interesting and beautiful. Also, they kept old room style, of course with Tatami mats. They are really specific about where Shogun show himself (a little higher leveled) , and body guard room right next to Shogun floor, where and how other people sit down etc. Very gorgeous and nicely done, we can see how powerful Shoguns were. I feel bad I did not expect much for this place....sorry Palace!
Kyoto...whole city is full of history! I must come back to check more interesting and amazing places!