KYOTO- palace

Went out this morning looking for a Starbucks but ended up at a shrine dedicated to the wild boar near the hotel, where they had a small tea and coffee shop.  It was a charming place and the coffee was out of this world -- freshly ground and dripped with spring water.

shrine of the wild boar

and its charming tea/coffee house. Gourds traditionally used as water vessels hang from ceiling.  

Then we went to the Imperial gardens for a tour of the 'household' or palace.  This was the English-language tour, which only foreigners can take; you can sign up the day before, and you have to show your passport.  This is because Japanese people have to wait for as long as month to get a spot on a tour; or wait for one of the two annual public days when anyone can just show up.  This was the imperial palace for about 1000 years until the time of the Meiji restoration (late 19c) when the capital (and the emperor) moved to Tokyo.(Kyoto means "capitol city"; Tokyo means "east capitol")

view through vermillion gate to main pavilion, where royal ceremonies (eg coronations) are performed

painted panels (tigers) inside the tatami pavilion, where state visitors wait before meeting with emperor

roofs are made with cypress bark, 50-75 layers of bark held together with bamboo pins (no nails)

Panels in interior rooms and corridors often have beautiful paintings, but you only get a glimpse from the outside.
Here, a painting named "garden party"

Then we grabbed some ramen near campus.  The condiments include fried garlic bits, hot sauce, garlic paste and roasted sesame seeds.  I had chasu ramen.  Pretty good for five bucks!