We mostly already knew today’s programme from our first trip to Japan, but I guess that’s just how it goes with group tours. We did the obligatory tourist stuff for a visit to Kyōto and saw the Kinkaku-ji, the Ryōan-ji with its famous stone garden and Nijō Castle.

The Sanjūsangen-dō was new to us, though. Here, 1001 life-sized Buddha statues from the 12th and 13th centuries stand on a tiered platform in a long hall. An impressive sight. Unfortunately, taking photos in the hall was strictly forbidden.

Since we had a bit of free time left in the evening, we headed over to the Fushimi Inari with the group again, which actually wasn’t on the programme at all. As they say, two is better than one.