Kenrei-mon Gate (Gate for the Emperor) — Attraction in Kyoto

(Trip was made back then on 2 Dec 2019, 2 years before the Covid-19 Pandemic hit)

Made an impromptu visit to Kyoto’s imperial palace as it was the end of autumn season and most of the autumn foliage has withered away with the onset of winter.

But as luck would have it, the palace’s inner compounds were closed (yes we even went to the side gates) and we could only access the putter compound, which was massive!

Even though it’s the start of winter, quite a few of the trees still have some colours left in them before they finally shed it all off for winter. Particularly loved the giant ginkgo tree with the bright yellow leaves.

Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time to explore as we had another destination to head to and the entire compound as it’s just so massive!

Would love to revisit when it reopens...

Didn’t managed to get in cause it was closed, but it’s relatively great view around and outside too. Entry is free. No...

2022'10/22 国賓とかが来ない限り開く事もなく、普段は品良く構えている建礼門。今日は雰囲気が一寸違う。

そうなんですよ！今日は時代祭の出発点。豪華絢爛な歴史パレードを間近で見ることが出来るんですよ✨

仮装ですが京都で活躍した歴史上の人物を見ることが出来ます。坂本龍馬に桂小五郎、織田信長に羽柴秀吉、楠木正成もいるよ！ 女性では紫式部に清少納言、和宮、小野小町も当時のファッションで髪型も整え、いやぁ何と艶やかか✨

参加しているのは京都市民、あれっ外国の方も… 町内の長老がね、この「時代祭」はね、男女、国籍関係なく、子供から大人迄何でもありだと… へぇ😃⤴️っと返事すると… でもね、京都に暮らす市民にとっては祭参加は誇りなんだって😃

今年の一番人気は大河ドラマの影響かあの、"巴御前"さん。甲冑を着けた勇ましい姿は群を抜いていたわ。あんな衣装で動き回り、そして忙しそう...