Kyoto
My very 1st time visited this charming old city. During my staying, happened to be its annual Momiji season (japanese maple foliage)... The mountains surrounding Kyoto became a palate of vibrant red, orange and yellow; breathe taking scenery, hard to be described in words and captured in photos.....
Using JR PASS(28,300 yen, need to be purchased at foreign country before arriving Japan), take 新幹線 ひかり(Hikari) from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, total about 2.5 hrs.. (JR Pass does not valid for のぞみ(Nozomi- express train), suggest to make seat reservation at any JR ticket booth before the trip) ひかりruns almost every 30 mins.
11/20
Headed over 祇園 (Gion) area around noon, visited 1st temple :)
八坂神社 (Yasaka Jinja)
I was lucky, ran into a traditional wedding ceremony
followed guide book to
おかる(Okalu) for lunch - curry udon 840 yen (to be honest, i think it was just okay... :P)
after lunch, I got attracted by all the small traditional gift shops on東大路通 (Higashioji-dori)...
stop by
祇園小石 (gion koshii) for dessert (average about 20-30 mins wait), this store is famous with it's gluten dessert, love the あんみつ(anmitsu, abt 850 yen) basically, this is the main course i have everyday for the entire trip...:p
wandering around 花見小路 (Hanamikoji), an alley where still preserve traditional building architectures from ancient time.. and currently occupied by small tea houses, restaurants and ochaya (geisha house)..
at the end of Hanamikoji, you will see a small temple-Keni-ji (Kyoto's oldest zen temple. Founded in 1202 by the priest Eisai, it was patterned after Bai-zhang-shan, China's first Zen monastary, in accordance with the Song dynasty style of architecture. The garden is done in the "dry mountains and water style" often found in Zen temples.)
Finally, ended my day at this Japanese-French style restaurant
O.MA.YA, reservation recommended. Tatami seat setting, prepare to sit for 2.5-3 hrs... average set menu 3200-6000 yen
11/21 day trip to 奈良 (Nara) - home of deers....:)
JR 新幹線 from Kyoto station. It was quite easy to explore Nara's historical area. Got off at Nara station, walked across the street and follow newly renovated pedestrian path, it will lead you to couple famous temples. Due to time limit, I only visit 2 temples this time
東大寺 (Todai-ji), with entrance fee 500 yen
二月堂 (Nigatsu-do) - giant lantern from old time looks like a spaceship shape, quite unique... also a great location to overview the entire area..
late lunch at
天極堂 (Tengyokudo) - famous for its
葛 product, supposed good for health
11/22
since JR pass is 7 day unlimited, took advantage of it and went to another temple at Kyoto outskirt, one stop away from Kyoto Station to
東福寺 (Tofuku-ji) - my favorite temple among all others that i've been visited this time... however, visiting this temple needs to pay entry admission for every tourist spots, which's still highly recommended... During momiji season, walked thru 通天橋(400 yen), all you can see are maples leaves in red/ orange/ yellow color, felt like got sink into an ocean of maple leaves...
after an unforgeable momiji baptism, took 京板線 to
清水寺 (kiyomizu dera), get off at 清水五条通, it might be difficult to get cab over there, take about 20 mins walk to the temple..on the way, do check out kiyomizu yaki stores (kyoto style porcelain/ pottery)...
inside of 清水寺, there's another small temple which is specializing on blessing for relationship and marriage.. at the entrance you will see 2 big stones set in at both side of the alley, as traditiona, if ones can safely walk from one side to the other with eyes closed, will successfully get the love s/he wants. who knows... :p
make sure walk around surrounding area (三, 四, 五条通, there are lots of small store and craft shops..
Kyoto is also famous with its TOFU cuisine... cousin recommend this restaurant on 三条通
奧丹 (okutan)- tofu here are still made with traditional method, got a yutofu set abt 3500 yen... come with boiled yutofu, tempura, sesame cold tofu, natto for rice topping and grill tofu..
after satisfied my tummy, randomly walked into a small alley around 高台寺(didn't get to this temple due to bad weather)
ねねの道 (nene no michi), and found my FAVORITE dessert place-
都路里 (Tsujiri, this is the must have every time when i am in tokyo, kyoto is the original store and have couple locations) even thought i was heavily stuffed from my late lunch, still couldn't resist dessert temptation, and was really lucky only waited for 10 mins.. usually is about 1 hr wait, no matter which location you go.. gotta plan ahead... they are famous with their green tea products... yummmmmmm~~~~~
afterwards, walked all the way back to GION and check out dry food market
錦市場 (Nishiki market), it was a bit late when i got there, only saw couple stalls.. most of them has already closed... but got the idea how it looks like during day time...
Around Nishiki Market is probably the most busy shopping area in Kyoto, quote from Jessy, it's the 5 Ave of Kyoto... you will find Takashimaya, Louis Vuitton, Tommorrow land, Ships, and other brand stores here..
As for dinner.. i was still full from all the eating, got take out order from かねる(kanenu) 鰻屋 from guide book.. > <
(picture upload)
My shopping victory... ^0^
Kyoto Subway Map for ref
