We arrive in Japan at Narita International Airport in the early evening. We will have to go through immigration and customs before we reach the actual terminal. In the terminal you will have a chance to exchange currency and we will get our Japan Rail (JR) passes and PASMO IC cards validated.

After taking care of the arrival business, we will take a shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto. This is an incredibly long trip (Denver-Kyoto).

Kyoto is a past capital of Japan, and probably the most beautiful city in Japan.

Hotel:

We will be staying at the Aranvert Hotel. I have not stayed here before but it looks very nice. Check out their web site.

Things we'll do in Kyoto

Here is a list of our activities and sites to see:

• Stroll down the mysterious bamboo groves of Sagano
• Meditate in the famous stone garden called Ryoan-ji
• Visit Kinkakuji - the Golden Pavillion
• See the spectacular views in Kyoto from Kiyomizu-dera
  Here is the official English page for this temple
• Wander the streets of the Gion district, maybe see geisha or maiko in the street called Pontocho