Kyoto, it's one of my favorite city in Japan. Once you arrive Kyoto station you'll notice many local Obasan(older women) dress in their traditional attire, the kimono. Big difference from Tokyo, it's a whole new world down here.
we had an early start from Tokyo, traveling from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station take about 4 hours ride with the Shinkansen(bullet train) JR Pass is a must if you are traveling long distance in Japan with Shinkansen. This is only valid for foreigner and it must be purchase ouside of Japan. WE bought ours 1 month before our travel date to Japan. Cost us USD240/pax for 7 days
-----: https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/ for more info
bough our breakfast at a fast food chain (Nakau) on the way, cheap and filling Gyudon....yummy
this cost us about 1000-1200yen for 2, one can always buy the bento set at the train station, but that would cost you at least 800-2000yen for 1 set. If you have a tight budget and had to travel very early then gyudon is the best choice and the fast food chains are open 24 hours
some dessert. i just love this strawberry cake. can easily buy at any big train station. I think this cost 580yen for a box of 4 pcs
sign showing spots for the autumn Foliage in Kyoto @ Kyoto Station
From Kyoto Station we travel by JR train to our guest house at JR Uzumasa station
our humble room for the next 3 nights in a typical Japanese house(ryokan style). I would totally recommend this place !!! mail@bola-bola.jp is his email
End of November is a peak season in Kyoto, so most of the hotels are fully booked months ago and the prices can shoot up really high. tip: make sure to booked months in advance.
Our GuestHouse Bola Bola cost us about 7500yen /night (about USD64/ night) it was among the cheapest that we found in Kyoto. Location wise it's a little far away from the center but it's not too bad about 20 minutes away(4 stops) from Kyoto Station. One thing i love about staying here is, there is an bath house, (Hot water of Tianshan) just 7 minutes walk away. Cost only 1000yen/pax you can enjoy different types of hot spring. Bring own towel you'll save 200yen
weather was cold, best time to enjoy ice cream
once we dropped our bag @ guest house, we only had half day left so we visited Arashiyama(bamboo grove) which was only 1 station away(JR Saga Arashiyama station) from our guest house. We did not come to this part of Kyoto during our 1st trip
entry about our previous trip in kyoto ------: http://cemzie.blogspot.com/2012/09/kyoto-japan-part-1.html
some small temple on the way to the bamboo grove
at the entrance of the bamboo grove there are many shops selling souvenirs and titbits. we had a steamy hot Udon...sluurp before we start exploring
here we are Arashiyama banboo grove about 10 minutes walk from the train statio. it was jam packed with tourist from both international and local
it was dark thanks to cloudy sky
Nomiya Shrine
it a small shrine
walking around aimlessly
sign of autumn
as we walked around we stumble upon this place, Jojakko-ji Temple
entrance fee 400yen/ pax, the attended was forbidding us taking photo at the entrance....
i guess he want us to go in and pay the entrance fee before we are allowed to take photos
it's one of the must visit temple in this area during fall foliage season....it's simply gorgeous
most of the tress here are the Japanese maples
just can't get enough of it. we hardly see any Japanese maple or autumn in Tokyo. At least we got lucky here
people was everywhere, i was told that usually this temple is quite deserted only during Fall foliage business is good
the back yard
going up hill
small pagoda at the back of the temple, slightly up hill
view from the top
too happy
private graveyard, good location, like an old Chinese saying,"sit on the hill and look upon the sea" well no sea here but nice view of the city
we beautiful i think we spend almost an hour in this temple
alright time is ticking...move along
next Rukushiha Poet's Hut, according to the sign outside of this hut. this is one of the most important site in Japanese literary history is this hermitage where Mukai Kyorai(1651-1704) enjoyed his solitude.
since we know nothing about Japanese literary we skipped it, Entrance Fee is 200yen though
even if i am not poet i would love to lived here
bamboo forest fairy
back to the other part of the bamboo grove
it's impossible to take a photo of the bamboo grove without any people in it
our last stop before it gets dark is Tenryu-ji Temple.
try my lucky with coin tossing to the ring infront of the toad, and no instead i hit the toad's forehead....i wonder what it means??? even better fortune??? :)
Tenryu-ji Temple is a UNESCO world heritage site, Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and the temple is held in high esteem, and is ranked #1 among kyoto's so called Five Mountains. So you can see why it's Arashiyama's headline attractions. that is why we save the best for last
behind is main hall facing the Sogen Pond Garden,
the garden was laid out 700 years ago by Zen master Muso Soseki and still retaining its original appearance. It was also the 1st place in Japan to win designation by the Japanese Government as a Site of Special Historic and Scenic Importance
the site of Tenyru ji had earlier been occupied by the temple Danrin-ji, established in the 9th century and historically significant as the 1st Zen temple in Japan.
love the fall foliage mountain as backdrop
the garden's design also make use of the "borrowed scenery" (Shakkei), where nearby mountinas are used to give the garden a sense of depth
in teh 13th century Emperor Kameyama built a villa on the property and it was here that Go-Daigo(his grandson) was raised, educated, over the time(after Go-Daigo's passing) the villa was convert to a Zen temple
in the centuries since its founding Tenryu-ji has been ravaged by fires for 8 times, most recently in 1864
most of the building thus date only to the Meiji period (1868-1912)
constipation look, entrance to the main hall
i really love the mural painting in the rooms
although it's just with one color
Shoin Drawing room
long lost bro?
the emperor's grandson was lucky to wake up to this view
pathway leading to Tahoden (Hall of many Treasures)
Tahoden
one last look of the garden before saying our goodbye
Main Hall Entrance
Dharma Hall
dried up lotus pond
view from the main entrace
all these walking around is making me hungry
we tried the conger Yahata, seasoned fish wrapped vegetable...it was just ok
then we headed down town for dinner
Sukiyaki. located in the bastment 1st floor of the Daimaru Kyoto department store(get down at Shijo Karasuma Station). It's a very small shop. maximum 6 counter seats are available
it's really good and it comes with a set that cost about 2100yen. How to eat it?
1st beat the raw egg. Then take the yummy thinly sliced beef and dip in the raw egg and slurp.....it may sound a little yucky right raw egg(i dont do raw egg)...but once i tried it...it's not too bad
it's a little on the pricey side but it's really yummy, i would recommend to try it!!!!
after a nice heavy dinner, it's nice to walked it off at Daimaru Shopping Store(branded stuff) or at a nearby shopping street, Nishiki market (more my price range)
before calling it a day!
Next day we will be exploring Kyoto Imperial Palace :)
~ Ja ne ~
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