G-TOUR: Roaming Around Kyoto Wonders

Above, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion.

Today, five years ago, we spent the day going around Kyoto by bus to see its temples and shrines.

We started out visiting Nijo Castle, the sprawling palace of of the Shogunate that also includes an extensive garden and we marveled at the castle's "Nightengale Floors."

Above, Nijo Castle garden.

From there, we visted the Heian Jingu shrine. We crossed a pond on stones as Scarlett Johannsen did in "Lost In Translation." We also visited the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion and its water gardens.

Above, Heian Jingu shrine.

Then, we headed to Kyomizu Temple, which was menaced in "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2."

Afterwards, tour members wandered on their own through the shopping areas of Kyoto. Stores selling capsule toys of Godzilla and other kaiju were popular stops.