Back to a sans-virus world of travels! Autumn Colours 2017

[rbjhan]

If you are doing day trip to Nara, the private Kintetsu railways will take you closer to the actions. JR Nara Station is a good 30 mins walk away from Nara Park and Todaiji.
I rented a bike for about 700 yen.

Kofukuji in the background.


Apart from Maple leave colours, Ginkgo trees turing bright yellow is also a beautiful sight!

 

[rbjhan]

You know you are at Nara Park when you see the deers...

Warning, the deers can be quite agressive, don't buy deer crackers if you can't handle them....

Todaiji is the landmark of Nara, with that comes bus loads package tours I'm afraid....
Nandaimon


The main hall, apparently the largest wooden building in the world?



In the main hall, there's a pillar with a hole in its base, apparently if you can squeeze through that hole it will bring good fortune, or something. People were lining up to do this not just children, adults too, oh dear. Whatever makes you happy I guess...

 

[rbjhan]

I was completely underwhelmed by the main hall of Todaiji, if you haven't figured it out already.....
Luckily I went to Nigatsudo afterwards.

Once you moved away from the main hall, magically all the people disappeared.


Nigatsudo is located on a hill east of the main hall, with great views from its balcony.


Okay I changed my mind, I liked Todaiji, just not the main hall!

 

[rbjhan]

Next stop, Kasuga Taisha 春日大社.

This one was really cute.


Most areas of Kasuga Taisha is free of charge, however there is a paid inner area which I strongly recommend.
You get a much closer look of the inner buildings and all the lanterns!




*these bronze lanterns were donated by worshipers.

That is some impressive headpiece.

 

[rbjhan]

It was only late Nov but for some reason that year was really cold....
Quickly rode back to the main commercial area near Kintetsu Nara station, and had a tendon for lunch.
*tendon is tempura on rice.


I was also interested in Naramachi 奈良町, the former merchant district. Unfortunately couldn't handle the weather anymore, nothing was better than the onsen at that moment! Quickly back to the hotel...

Onsen picture from hotel website.

 

[RooFlyer]

Absolutely thriving on this TR. Exactly what I'd like to do.

 

[rbjhan]

Absolutely thriving on this TR. Exactly what I'd like to do.

Late Nov early Dec is the best viewing season in Kyoto, more pictures to come.
I am however probably not going to do that again though...too many people...

 

[rbjhan]

That restaurant I wanted to go, was Wa Yamamura.
Hidden in a quiet par of Nara, it didn't look much from outside, certainly not a 3 star restaurant...
Apologies for the picture quality of this one here....


Appetiser, crab, okra, udo


Soup
prawn and abalone dumplings


Sashimi
Tuna, squid, prawn, flat fish


Hassun, wasn't the presentation beautiful?!

 

[rbjhan]

Grilled tai fish, ginkgo nut mochi


Crab, mizuna, yam, scallop


Turnip, taro, pumpkin cake, spinach


Rice with chestnut


Rice with young sardines


I was stuffed. Otherwise there were still rice wrapped in yuba and rice with grilled codroe in soup...

 

[rbjhan]

Persimmon, melon, grape jelly.


If you are wondering how can I remember all these after 3 years....well that's because I kept the hand written menu


That dinner cost about 12000 Yen, unbelievable value for a 3 star restaurant!

 

[rbjhan]

Let me just say, this is only the start. Of all my 10 trips to Japan, this one I had by far the best luck with restaurants. 3 more to come, and they were even better

 

[rbjhan]

Back in 2014 when I first visited Kyoto, I went to Arashiyama and took this picture.



That was Hoshinoya Kyoto.

I had been wanting to stay there ever since. Finally the time was right.

 

[rbjhan]

As you can see from picture above, Hoshinoya Kyoto is easy to get to.
First you need to find the boat landing.


There's a waiting area inside.


The actual boat ride took about 15 mins.


It was a scenic ride.


Arrival at last.

 

[rbjhan]

There's a pond next to the reception


Walkway leading to the rooms.


Afternoon tea was served here.

 

[rbjhan]

My room was on the lower floor, still had great views though.
LOVED the daybed.






Japanese breakfast next morning was served in the room.

 

[rbjhan]

My favourite is the floating teahouse.

 

[rbjhan]

Hoshinoya Kyoto is certainly one of the most beautiful hotels I've seen, if not the most. And I was there during peak autumn colours season.
Sadly like all the other Hoshinoyas I've been to, service here was not up to the standard of a high end ryokan.
Long story short, I ended up making a complaint to the hotel manager as someone tried to push blames on me for their mistake

At that price point they really need to be perfect, otherwise guests will be disappointed. It is visually stunning, but I simply can't say much beyond that.
There is no need to stay at Arashiyama IMHO, being that close to Kyoto city centre.
If you have the budget, maybe try Tawaraya.

 

[LadyC]

Some gorgeous photos. Some of my fondest memories from Japan are riding an electric bike around Kyoto and visiting Arashiyama and the Golden and Silver Pavilions (among others).

 

[rbjhan]

Some gorgeous photos. Some of my fondest memories from Japan are riding an electric bike around Kyoto and visiting Arashiyama and the Golden and Silver Pavilions (among others).

Thanks!
Kyoto is a very bike friendly city, I like to ride along the river.
This was from a different trip.

 

[craven morehead]

Let me just say, this is only the start. Of all my 10 trips to Japan, this one I had by far the best luck with restaurants. 3 more to come, and they were even better

I was about to ask how many times you have visited