one day in Osaka, Japan

Osaka a mini version of Tokyo, a city that you will never get hungry in. I just wish that my tummy was bigger, there's just too much to eat. stayed 2 nights here but we only had one day in Osaka. We spend it more on food and a little sight seeing for Boon, it's his 1st visit to Osaka

we start with Shitennoji Temple, but unfortunately it was on restoration, so we just walked around the area

perfect weather for a nice suntan

this is a must try...it's soooo good. Osaka's special mixed juice with milk.

i tried to find it in other city in Japan...nope can't find it. Bought this in a convenient store in Osaka

headed back to the city for lunch

of cause @ Dotonbori, best place to visit when you are hungry and so much to see, my eyes was so busy looking all around me.....it's too much too absorb all in once

the last time i came here was too rush, this time we took our time

wanted to go eat Osaka's famous Okonomiyaki shop, Houzenji Sanpei. Unfortunately it was their rest day..... OMG the only day we have in Osaka and it was closed.....sad so sad

then i search for the next best okonomiyaki shop in Osaka, is Mizuno. Luckily it's just around the corner also in Dotonbori but the line was freaking long we waited for an hour(luckily we bought some takoyaki while waiting in line)....... Of cause there are many shops in the area that sells okonomiyaki but we were determined to eat the best okonomiyaki in Osaka.

Okonomiyaki mean "whatever you like, grilled" literary

Every sity in Japan has it's own version of okonomiyaki but the osaka style is mixing everything together(lots of shredded cabbage mixed with yam flour, egg and other seasoning then add the toppings you want. we ordered Scalops with beef in Yam flour...definitely is my favorite

this is pork belly, noodle and soft cooked eggs.....yum

it was worth the 1 hour wait

we spend about 4000yen, cost can vary from 1000yen -2000yen depends on what you order

with a full tummy we walked around the area and did some shopping

taking picure with the famous Glico running man, you will know Glico company if u love pocky 

not far away from dotobori, within walking distance is Koromon Ichiba, it's a place like Tokyo's Tsukiji market and Kyoto's Nishiki market, basically another place to visit when you are hungry

this is really good, i bought 1 from a lady....omg boy was she a real biach!!! 1st and only  Japanese that i'm upset with. I dont know what i did to upset her....was it because i only bought 1 or was it i pay her too slow.....i really have no idea... she was basically showing me her temper mumbling god knows what in Japanese. If only she wasn't so god damn biach i would have bought more after trying it......your lost

next to satisfy my geeky Boon, Nipponbashi aka Den Den Town, Where you can find Manga, Anime figurine, electronics....basically it'a a geek heaven

takoyaki food truck working performing a superhero routine

Tsutenkaku tower

underneath it it a Glico store, so many pocky........

Shinsekai area, famous for their deep fried skewers

and many shops selling just that

we tried , it's not my favourite, each skewers cost average of 120yen

back to Dotonbori for dinner

had Ichiran's ramen

then had dessert @pablo

and before we called it a day, more shopping to walked off all those yummy food

crowd was insane during the weekend

running man lit up

1 day is definitely not enough to try all the good food in Osaka but we got to tried a few of Osaka's best this time around. the Okonomiyaki is definitely a MUST try!!!! even if u need to wait for an hour for a seat :D Osaka really do makes me think of Penang ( my home town) and it's food!!!

till next time Osaka, stay vibrant

~ Ja ne ~

Autumn in Japan, Kyoto - part 4

 3rd day and also the last day in Kyoto, finally blue sky!!! the last few days was depressing, gloomy sky but the scenery did make up for it. 1st thing to do every morning, fill our growling tummy

gonna have a heavy breakfast before exploring today's itinerary

Boon had a big sukiyaki set which cost about 600-800yen @ Sukiya(fast food chain) just 5 minutes walk from where we stayed

and i had my favorite Gyudon set with a steamy hot soup......sooooo yummy

mine cost 500-600yen

after a stratifying meal we headed to Kinkakuji. Taking the JR train from Uzumasa (where we stayed) to Enmachi Station, 

, from there we took the bus to Kinkakuji. The bus stop is a little tricky here, there are a few bus stops around the area make sure you wait at the right one. We took the Bus #204. I really love their public transport, you can see where the bus is.

upon arriving, we saw a Chinese character 大(pinyin:da)on Mt Okitayama)

I was told that is known as Daimoji(there are 5 in total but i only saw one because they are spread all over Kyoto city), it's a festival(Obon) in Kyoto on Aug 16. During that time of the year, giant bonfires are lit on those characters and it is said that on that moment the spirits of deceased family members returning to visit

boo!

enough of ghost stories back to the real world, Kinkakuji(aka the Temple of the Golden Pavilion)

Entrance free is 400yen/ pax and you'll be given a talisman looking ticket, which basically wishing your family safe, good fortune and prosperity. i'm going to hang it in my house

it's a nice place to see the fall foliage too during it's peak

the golden pavilion

the last time i came alone to visit this temple and the weather wasn't so nice and this time around

finally found someone to take a photo of us together and satisfy with it!!! Arigatogonzaimasu!!!

it's advice to come early morning(best before 10) when the sun still shine directly front part of the golden pavilion, and making it even more golden

the golden color of the pavilion contrast with the blue and green background, really it a picture perfect

every tourist spot in Kyoto is crowded during fall foliage peak season

well Kinkakuji is a Zen Buddhist temple, hence zen garden

the back part of the golden pavilion

@v@

did i mention it's one of the place to visit during autumn

nice spot to rest

more Japanese maple

there are many more temples to visit near kinkakuji temple

check out my old post ------> http://cemzie.blogspot.com/2012/09/kyoto-japan-part-2.html

time was limited we decided to skipped it this round and headed to philosopher path

took the bus cost 230yen/pax(flat rate). how bus works in kyoto? one go on the bus thru the back door and when you have reached your destination you pay your exact fair amount in front machine(beside the driver) and if you don't have enough coins(there is a coin dispenser) one may put in banknote to the machine and coin will dispense from the machines and get down through the front door

the bus system its slightly different from the last time we were here, it was not flat rate back in 2012

some snack to enjoy at philosopher path, something like pancakes but this is with azuki beans filling(aka red beans).... really nice during cold weather. warms your hand and your yummy ..... best feeling ever

Philosopher path or Tetsugaku-no-michi, one of our favorite place

story behind this path is that long long time so a famous philosopher, who practice meditation while taking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University. 

this place is more famous for it's cherry blossom tree along the path during spring time,

not so much for autumn(well there are some Japanese maple trees towards the end of the path) its a little bare but still  a nice place to visit. There is a Zen temple nearby, Ginkakuji ( aka silver pavilion) Must visit if you are in this area!!!

ducky enjoying his meal

some small shrine along the path

i wish i could join him, painting session 

beautiful

finally some fall foliage scenery

there are more tea house in this area then i remember this time around,

a beautiful place to enjoy the view while sipping green tea but it ain't cheap, can cost 1000yen for a cup of tea

luckily we had a rather heavy breakfast

the other end of the Philosopher path

next not very far away from Philosopher path is Eikando Zenrin-ji

another place famous for fall folliage and they also have their very own evening illumination 

this is just the outside of the temple

Entrance fee for this temple is rather pricey, 1000yen/pax and 600yen/pax for the autumn evening illumination

but it's a really big place and hundreds of Japanese maple trees and it's just gorgeous 

the Hojo Pond

in 853AD priest Shinjo built a training hall on this site, later on he received permission to establish a temple and got the name Zenrin-ji. later on, the Abbot Yokan aka "Eikan" became the chief priest and he expanded the temple and save many poor people and he received great respect of the people

there are few different type of maple trees here

this is a special one, I've never seen this type before, maple trees in US, they have rather big leaves compare the ones in Japan they are more delicate. Fall foliage in upstate NY is beautiful too

the colors of the leaves make the garden looks like it's on fire when the sun shine

going up to Taho-to pagoda for a better view

view of kyoto city

beautiful day + beautiful view

i feel like shouting at the top of my lungs

but too many people

Shaka-do, Chief priest's quarters, with a beautiful zen garden

Karamon gate, used by messengers of the emperor 

walking towards Kaisan-do hall

moving along the corridor to Garyuto,a corridor made by joining woods together and running along the contours of the mountain slope, resembles the dorm of a sleeping dragon hence the name (garyu)

bell tower

and end at Amida-do, main hall where the Looking back Amida Buddha statue is enshrine(the main icon of this temple)

The story about hos this looking back Amida buddha statue come to be was on Feb 15th 1082, during the cold winter morning, the then chief priest Eikan, doing his daily Nembutsu chanting while walking around a statue of Amida Buddha, Suddenly as the dawn was breaking, Amida Buddha come down from his pedestal and began walking away, beackoning to Eikan.

of course Eikan was shocked(well who won't?), speechless and stared with wide eyes. Then Amida buddha looked back at Eikan and called to him in a soft steady voice, "Eikan! come with me!"

Eikan decided to pass on to others the merciful heart he had received from Amida buddha and prayed, " Please, keep that form forever!" After that. a statue in this form was made. This, the 

Kotobuki bridge @ Hojo pond

this place wold make a beautiful spot for wedding photo

they also sell red bean soup...nice for cold weather

this is one huge ginkgo tree in golden yellow

Nanzen-ji temple gate

heading to the subway, time for dinner

this is a nice restaurant, famous for their tempura skewers

Kome Fuku, it's located just beside Daimaru Shopping center where the bell is

but we didn't order much tempura just some hehe

we had octopus testicle's tempura and my favorite Unagi(eel) tempura.....the fish was sooooo smooth and delicate texture.....a MUST order

i love unagi so much...here another grill unagi but i prefer the tempura 

5 different fish sashimi...yum

and end with a seafood hotpot...this was just ok for me. not my favorite

price here are reasonable, there is a head charges of 300yen/pax which is like tip but it's a flat rate

this dinner cost about 4500-5000yen i think it's a pretty good price for a delicious fresh meal....you can't get this quality and price in NY, that's for sure!!!

best meal we had so far, nice way to end our Kyoto trip before heading Osaka the next day.

We really had a great time, till next time Kyoto...hopefully next time will be cherry blossom season

~ Ja ne ~