One of our rooms at Three Sisters Inn in Kyoto, run by Kay Yamada, who was a very gracious hostess.

The sleeping area is covered by a tatami mat and a futon is laid out in the middle. Again we were glad to have private bathrooms.

Shinto shrines like this were almost everywhere. We were told they are often passed down as a family business and serve as the priest's family home.

We met John Yakota, professor at Kyoto Women's University, and some of his students to watch the Aoi Matsuri parade at the Imperial Palace.

"The parade was in celebration/ prevention of bad floods....Today the city celebrates by marching bowed and horseback warriors and Geisha women." M.R.

(Photo: JH)

"This festival...was named for the aoi (hollyhock) leaves which are part of the particpants' costumes...[which] were very colorful. K.R.

"The costumes were beautiful. There were paper flowers, lots of silk, horses, cool head wear, and beautiful Geisha women." J.S.

(Photo: JH)

The festival's tradition includes the role of young Shinto women who represent a princess who originally presided over the parade.

The Kyoto Women's University students were part of a group called "Winds of Asia," who are interested in international understanding. They were great!

"Lunch at Katsukura ... was excellent. I enjoyed eating great food as I shared and exchanged culture with the Japanese students." JH

(Photo: JH)

"We went to Myoshin-ji....which housed the bell with the purest sound. The bell had a fracture [but] we did get to hear a recording" K.R.

Lyon students learning from Kyoto students. Sensei John Yakota is at the far right. Meeting them helped us learn to get around Kyoto that week.

The archetecture of the various buildings was fascinating.

The attention to details was amazing.

The same building may hold numerous surprises.

This "masterpiece by Kano Tanyu [is] the perfect setting for the performance of [Zen] rituals." J.H. "The dragon followed [you] around the room." M.R.

Picture from Temple brochure.

Bells like this, used to call the people to prayers or signal an important event, was a common feature in the temples throughout Japan.

"We left Myoshin-ji for a wonder called Ryoanji." M.R.

First we were greeted by a beautiful pond and surrounding gardens.

Ryoanji is most famous for its Zen rock garden.

"The rectangular Zen garden brought to me the desire to meditate and reflect as I looked at the peacefulness and harmony of the garden." J.H.

After Ryoanji, we headed for Nishi-ki, near downtown Kyoto.

At Nishi-ki, "the last and closest of our Japanese friends left us. It was sad because they introduced and taught us so much." M.R.