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 ~
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