This is the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto and even though it does not look like gold it is gold leaf with a lacquer finish .  In the bottom part you can see dioramas of the activities that go on in the Zen Buddhist temple.  There are beautiful gardens surrounding the temple with a pond and islands.  Not sure of the date the literature suggests 11th century style.   

Melissa is a great wife and mom.  It was a pleasure to be able to spend time with her.    

It was raining while we were in Kyoto, but with an umbrella and rain coat we continued to explore.  

I love the roof lines and we saw lots of trees that were being supported to create artistic gardens.  

The maple leaves were quite small compared to ours, but were just as colorful. 

The apple did not fall far from this tree.   When I see Jack it is like going back in time.   

It is hard to see how the roof is made, but there are layers of thin pieces of wood and then this one had living material on the top.   This building was a tea house, but now they sell trinkets from it.  

nice gardens every where
I plan to enter a little part of our journey everyday so you can see some of the amazing sights we were so blessed to see.