The shrine of a 1000 Torii Gates, it was built on the year 711! Each torii gate is donated and the name of the donor on the back side.  We arrived early but there were still crowds because today is Easter Sunday for us,  and part is the traditional blossom viewing season, Hanami festival,  for local Japanese.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is another 8th century structure, a Buddhist temple.  A portion of the structure is a platform,  built with amazing huge zelkova trees, 13 meters high,  and no nails!  Such wooden structures last 100s of years,  through earthquakes and tsunamis, flexing with the stresses.  

We ended the tour in the Gion district,  the old part of town where geisha, or geiko, as they are called in Kyoto,  live and work.   Tomorrow we will visit that part of town again and have a tea ceremony and watch the geiko and maiko (apprentice geiko) perform.

Yumi was an excellent guide,  with the Japan Tourist Goodwill Guide.   They cost no fee expect paying for their transportation and lunch,  and they show you their home country.   We have used them in 5 or 6 cities now and love the experience!  They are arranged a couple weeks in advance via email,  all speak English,  mostly retired professionals who want to still be active.   We have met retired teachers and engineers with interesting life stories,  all very engaging people.   Yumi was no exception!  she was our age,  energetic and enthusiastic about her country,  told us some history of the shrines and temples,  and was a delightful personality! 

What a great day!  Thank you,  Yumi!