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beelikejThis was supposed to be a quick post, but it took me a couple of days to put together, as it gets harder to remember details, and I need more and more time to check what's on the photos. So many great memories of this trip:)
Left Tokyo and got on the Shinkansen (bullettrain) to Kyoto. When I got my seat reservation, the lady behind the counter told me she made sure I was sat on the right side of the train for a good view and she was right!
Day 5: From Tokyo to Kyoto. I Saw Mount Fuji from the train!
[Thursday, October 10]
Took the subway to Ueno station and followed the signs to the Shinkansen platform.
These trains have loads of space!
Bye Tokyo *waves*
Look! It's Mount Fuji! <3
About three hours later, I arrive at Kyoto Station \o/
First challenge is to find the right exit to walk to my hotel...
I only get a little lost, but I get out of my slight panic by focussing on all the Japan around me:)
I found my hotel, yay!
I freshen up, leave my bags and decide to walk down Shijo dori, a big busy street that leads to Higashiyama hill where I hope to visit a couple of temples. On the way there I discover the Koyaki no zushi Path with an old fashioned Sugimoto House (traditional townhouse)
Across the Kamo river, at the end of Shijo dori there is Yasaka-jinja (temple) and the entrance of Maruyama-koen (park).
There's lots to see on the templeground. I don't know what this statue with the rabbit is about, but it makes me smile.
Under the tori (gate) at the back of Yasaka-jinja I pass three women dressed up in traditional kimonos, this is a very popular thing to do amongst Japanese people touristing in their own country:) I got the impression it's especially a cool thing for young couples.
I walking through a lot of tiny streets on my way to the main temple complex. It's crowded and there are lots of shops, but there's also lots to see.
Roof of the Kodaji Temple and a silly statue on a smaller shrine.
Zigzagging through the streets every now and then I see the top of the fascinating Daiunin Temple.
This area of Higashiyama has a walking route with loads of Buddhist statues; the pink poster is a guide on how to stroke them for the best healing results...
Statue of Marishi-ten, an Indian deity mainly revered by samurai warriors. "If you wish to be better in contests of wit or skill, gently stroke it with your right hand or both hands" (for double the power, I suppose;)
And finally, two hours after I started walking I arrive at Kiyomizu-dera (This ancient temple was first built in 798, but the present buildings are recontstructions dating from 1633).
I didn't have any energy left to climb the hill any further for a closer look, but I spent a lovely time sitting down looking at all the people:)
From the old and tiny streets with lots of steps in Higashiyama I slowly walk back to down town Kyoto, where they have already lit the lanterns on Shijo-dori.
Love this streetsign:)
Near my hotel I find a small restaurant where you place your order in a machine; you choose a meal, pay and then get a ticket for the waiter. You pick a seat, they bring you water, take your ticket and serve your meal. No social interaction, no hassle, just food, yay!
I figured out what I wanted thanks to the English menu on the machine (heehee) this is beef with garlic sauce, vegetables and rice. Also ever present: miso soup (similar to a broth, with kombu/kelp in it).
So I'm not a fan of taugé, but everything else was delicious. (The chopsticks are for the photo; I ate most of it with the fork I saved from the plane :-p)
It's been a fast few days, I only just now have time to make inventory of all the souvenirs I bought so far.
I end the day with a book in a bubblebath; note how the tap can turn to fill both the sink and the bath, ha! (That did not mess me up in the morning at all *shifty eyes*)
Good night.
To be continued:)
J.
Part 1: Traveling to Japan | Part 2: Temples in Tokyo | Part 3: Nikko |
Left Tokyo and got on the Shinkansen (bullettrain) to Kyoto. When I got my seat reservation, the lady behind the counter told me she made sure I was sat on the right side of the train for a good view and she was right!
Day 5: From Tokyo to Kyoto. I Saw Mount Fuji from the train!
[Thursday, October 10]
Took the subway to Ueno station and followed the signs to the Shinkansen platform.
These trains have loads of space!
Bye Tokyo *waves*
Look! It's Mount Fuji! <3
About three hours later, I arrive at Kyoto Station \o/
First challenge is to find the right exit to walk to my hotel...
I only get a little lost, but I get out of my slight panic by focussing on all the Japan around me:)
I found my hotel, yay!
I freshen up, leave my bags and decide to walk down Shijo dori, a big busy street that leads to Higashiyama hill where I hope to visit a couple of temples. On the way there I discover the Koyaki no zushi Path with an old fashioned Sugimoto House (traditional townhouse)
Across the Kamo river, at the end of Shijo dori there is Yasaka-jinja (temple) and the entrance of Maruyama-koen (park).
There's lots to see on the templeground. I don't know what this statue with the rabbit is about, but it makes me smile.
Under the tori (gate) at the back of Yasaka-jinja I pass three women dressed up in traditional kimonos, this is a very popular thing to do amongst Japanese people touristing in their own country:) I got the impression it's especially a cool thing for young couples.
I walking through a lot of tiny streets on my way to the main temple complex. It's crowded and there are lots of shops, but there's also lots to see.
Roof of the Kodaji Temple and a silly statue on a smaller shrine.
Zigzagging through the streets every now and then I see the top of the fascinating Daiunin Temple.
This area of Higashiyama has a walking route with loads of Buddhist statues; the pink poster is a guide on how to stroke them for the best healing results...
Statue of Marishi-ten, an Indian deity mainly revered by samurai warriors. "If you wish to be better in contests of wit or skill, gently stroke it with your right hand or both hands" (for double the power, I suppose;)
And finally, two hours after I started walking I arrive at Kiyomizu-dera (This ancient temple was first built in 798, but the present buildings are recontstructions dating from 1633).
I didn't have any energy left to climb the hill any further for a closer look, but I spent a lovely time sitting down looking at all the people:)
From the old and tiny streets with lots of steps in Higashiyama I slowly walk back to down town Kyoto, where they have already lit the lanterns on Shijo-dori.
Love this streetsign:)
Near my hotel I find a small restaurant where you place your order in a machine; you choose a meal, pay and then get a ticket for the waiter. You pick a seat, they bring you water, take your ticket and serve your meal. No social interaction, no hassle, just food, yay!
I figured out what I wanted thanks to the English menu on the machine (heehee) this is beef with garlic sauce, vegetables and rice. Also ever present: miso soup (similar to a broth, with kombu/kelp in it).
So I'm not a fan of taugé, but everything else was delicious. (The chopsticks are for the photo; I ate most of it with the fork I saved from the plane :-p)
It's been a fast few days, I only just now have time to make inventory of all the souvenirs I bought so far.
I end the day with a book in a bubblebath; note how the tap can turn to fill both the sink and the bath, ha! (That did not mess me up in the morning at all *shifty eyes*)
Good night.
To be continued:)
J.
Part 1: Traveling to Japan | Part 2: Temples in Tokyo | Part 3: Nikko |