Kyoto

As an industrial city, Kyoto is famous for something to do with the auto industry... Toyo tyres maybe? Or Mitsubishi? I don't recall. It's also famous for its history, with shrines, temples and other national treasures scatted liberally around the city. Kinkakuji, "The Golden Temple" (or Golden Pavilion?) is totally covered with gold leaf, and looks impressive. Sadly, the original, which was a thousand or so years old, burned down in 1950, and was rebuilt in 1955. Many of the ancient buildings have a similar story to tell, as almost all of them are cedar. Next we visited Kitano-tenman-gu, which was surrounded by artists with sketchpades. After spending the night at Kyoto Century Hotel, right near the station (which is the second largest building in Japan) we caught a cab to Kiyomizu Dera, sensational in traditional orange trim, on top of the hill approached by Teapot Lane. Loads of tourist shops there, all well priced. Lunch of Oikonomiake was delicious.