Japan, like some of the European countries (and unlike the others...) is known for great quality long distance train connections.

Super fast shinkansen train covers the distance from Tokyo to Kyoto (around 500 km) in only 2.5 hours. That sets average traveling speed at 200 km/h (including stops). Usually it goes over 300 km/h.

Maximum speed gained by shinkansen is 443 km/h for conventional tracks and 581 km/h for magnetic levitation.

Our train was the 300 series, pictured above. It is out of production for... 19 years already!

Traveling with shinkansen is quiet expensive. I recommend buying joint service - train and hotel in one pack. Considering very high accommodation prices in Japan, 250 USD for return ticket and three days in luxury hotel doesn't sound that bad at all.

"Cheap" accommodation is also available of course, yet again, train ticket bought separately is much more expensive.

There are many shinkansen models, coming in many types.

The inside of shinkansen lools more like the one of an airplane than a train. It's perfectly soundproof and anti shocked. Air conditioning works exactly as it should - it provides comfort without being noticed.

Except for little vibration (and obviously the view outside the window) there are no signs of motion. Probably because of the tracks, made with amazing precision.

If hungry, one can buy bento or (to be more specific) - eki-ben, which is a lunch box available on train stations.

Eki-ben is a cheaper version of actual bento. On the other hand, bento could be very sophisticated if it comes to food as well as the box itself. More expensive versions are made of carved and beautifully painted wood.

The one on the picture contains few kinds of sushi, tofu, steamed vegetables and nori salad. Nori is edible seaweed.

From time to time, rooftops cover the landscape behind the window.

Kyoto train station is a breath-taking structure of avant-garde construction and stunning size.

Do you remember Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back? The interior of Kyoto Station reminds me of the setting from one of the scenes in the movie. The one witch Darth Vader chopping Luke Skywalker's hand off.

I can't resist the impression the building had been patterned on the movie.

The main hall leads us up to the roof, where many restaurants have an offer for hungry travelers.

Rengeo-in temple is also known as Sanjusangen-do which means "the hall of 33 bays".

It is famous for its 1001 statues of Knannon, the goddess of mercy, and also 28 Indian gods.

Figures of Kannon are very alike even though they were made in different times and different places.

We can't ignore our stomachs...

Kyoto Tower - huge telecommunications antenna. By day...

...and by night.

Traditional sweets and souvenirs are available on the ground floor market.

Green tea jelly covered in green tea powder was my favorite. Unfortunately I couldn't bring any to Poland because of very short shelf-life.

There are lots of interesting places in Kyoto - that makes sightseeing constant movement. By feet or bus. Being on the move I usually look for subjects to photograph.

Here's the example of kanji - one of three alphabets in use in Japan.

These three characters could be read as "not ordinary door". It isn't hard to figure out it stands for "emergency exit". The last character could be also translated as "mouse".

Big white letters on the side of the truck say "CAT". Well... looks more like usagi (rabbit) to me than neko (cat).

It is very common among young Asians to garnish their personal items with pendants or mascots.

Oddly enough it applies to cars as well.

Stone gardens - raking small white rocks is a form of meditation. But of course - who'd be patient enough to do it for any other reason?

Fushimi-ku is one of Kyoto wards located near Inari Mountain, famous for vermilion torii - orange gates covering all the paths leading to the top. There are thousands of them!

Torii are actually the form of contribution, sponsored by merchants and businessmen in order to improve their luck with business.

On the way to Fushimi Inari one can find many other shrines and cemeteries guarded by stone foxes (kitsune) of different shapes and sizes.

In Japan it is believed that foxes have paranormal abilities. They have magical skills, they can change their form or cast enchantments.

Sometimes they turn into beautiful young virgins. The other times ghosts of kitsune possess people. In that case, people behave violently, swear and bring trouble to others or even themselves.

Luckily there are exorcists willing to get rid of evil foxes.

Because of the nightfall we didn't get to the top.