Konnichiwa Japan - My very first trip to the land of rising run

[rbjhan]

Day 8
Thoroughly underwhelmed by Osaka, I decided to go back to Kyoto.
Bought a Keihan railway one day pass at Yodoyabashi station, Kyoto I'm coming!

* There are many railway companies linking Osaka and Kyoto. Apart from JR, there are also Keihan, Hankyu, Kintetsu. Unless I have a JR Pass, JR is generally not my first choice. Both Keihan and Hankyu have stations in the centre of Kyoto (Keihan Sanjo, Gion Shijo, Kyoto Kawaramachi, Karasuma.....) Depends on where your starting point is, those are generally much more convenient than going to JR Kyoto Station. This particular day I chose Keihan coz I wanted to visit Kurama and Kibune, and that one day pass was great value.


Got off at Demachiyanagi station, I rented a bike and off to Ginkakuji.
The ticket itself was fancy




The Silver Pavilion




Ginkakuji was of course modelled after Kinkakuji, including the name! Honestly though, temple as a whole, I prefer Ginkakuji. But Kinkakuji does have the bling bling special effect

 

[rbjhan]

Honen-in
Close to Ginkakuji but very quiet.
The thatched roof gate totally did it for me


Two sand mounds apparently can purify visitors.

 

[rbjhan]

Eikando
One of Kyoto's best autumn colours view place.
During the Momiji season entrance would set you back 1000 Yen.


I was probably one week early that year, but colours were still good.






View from the Pagoda


Best colour was at the Hojo Pond.

 

[rbjhan]

Riding along the Kamogawa was one of my best memories of Kyoto.
Caught a rainbow.

 

[rbjhan]

Lunch was sushi and soba.


You must be wondering where's that Kurama and Kibune I wanted to visit? It's coming!
During November there's night illuminations at Kibune. So I didn't want to go early....

 

[rbjhan]

Rode back to Demachiyanagi, returned the bike and onto Eizan Railways (also included in the pass).
I caught one of their scenic trains with extra large windows and seats facing them.


Between Ichihara and Ninose stations, the train passed through a Maple Leaf Tunnel. Here the train actually slowed down so passengers could enjoy the view.

 

[rbjhan]

First arrived at Kurama




It was already fairly late (so much so that they didn't ask me to pay entrance), I didn't go very far.

 

[rbjhan]

Back to Kibune.
The shrine was a good 30 mins walk from Kibuneguchi station.
The walk was pretty, but freezing cold that day


Finally arrived! Loved those red lanterns.


The Shrine






The station was lit up too.


On the way back, Maple Leaf Tunnel was even more stunning. It was dark outside, the train slowed and lights were turned off. That was a magical moment, as you can hear the collective WOW (or すごい even ).

 

[rbjhan]

Back to Demachiyanagi, then changed to Keihan to Osaka...this was a long day, but thoroughly enjoyable.


I am not gonna tell you I went back to Rikyu again for gyutan

 

[rbjhan]

Day 9
The day before was a great success decided to copy somewhat, not going to Kyoto again though, destination Uji.
*Uji is a small city to the south of Kyoto, most famous for its green tea cultivation and the magnificent Byodoin built by the Fujiwara clan in the Heian period.

Bought another Keihan one day pass for 800 Yen. Note: going to Uji one must change at Chusojima once.
Vending machine in the station, it's all about tea here.


From Keihan Uji station to town, first you will see is the Uji River.




Murasaki Shikibu, author of Tale of Genji - possibly the world's first novel.
Part of the novel was set in Uji, many sites here are associated with the story.

 

[rbjhan]

Byodoin

The spectacular Phoenix Hall, representing Buddhist Pure Land.






Phoenix Hall is on the back of 10 Yen coins, if you have one, take a look and compare.

Note: there's also a 20 mins guided tour of the inside of Phoenix Hall. However it's Japanese only....Personally I think it's not worth it. Not understanding a word, I had no clue what I was looking at

 

[rbjhan]

Byodoin Omotesando is lined with shops selling tea and related products.


I bought matcha daifuku
*sticky rice cake with green tea flavour filling


Another Tale of Genji statue

 

[rbjhan]

Ujigami Shrine
Oldest shrine in Japan, another world heritage site.




Koshoji

 

[rbjhan]

Back to Uji Bridge




The station in sunset

 

[rbjhan]

I think I had some green tea flavoured soba for lunch....no photos taken.
Naturally need something substantial come dinner time, back to Osaka of course.
What's on? Pufferfish!

Fugu, or pufferfish, is of course potentially dangerous.
It is widely available in Japan nowadays though, but must be prepared by a licensed chef.
I went to a specialty restaurant in the Kuromon Market.

Fish skin


Sashimi


Shabushabu


After the shabushabu, zosui is cooked using the leftover soup.


YUM

 

[love_the_life]

As soon as it's safe to travel overseas again I'm going to Japan!

Was supposed to be going there in November with a friend but suspect that it won’t be happening now. She had planned to visit her daughter in UK and a trip to Morocco. If travel is allowed later in the year I think that might take precedence.

 

[rbjhan]

Was supposed to be going there in November with a friend but suspect that it won’t be happening now. She had planned to visit her daughter in UK and a trip to Morocco. If travel is allowed later in the year I think that might take precedence.

I had booked tickets to go in Nov, not cancelled yet. But not holding my breath either specially the first leg is on Virgin....

 

[drron]

Was supposed to be going there in November with a friend but suspect that it won’t be happening now. She had planned to visit her daughter in UK and a trip to Morocco. If travel is allowed later in the year I think that might take precedence.

Today we would have visited a peony garden tomorrow a wisteria festival.

 

[love_the_life]

I had booked tickets to go in Nov, not cancelled yet. But not holding my breath either specially the first leg is on Virgin....

Having just booked a fairly expensive cruise over Christmas to NZ I don’t think the budget will be too flash anyway and I think my contract will have been extended so no revisit of autumn colours this year I think.

 

[love_the_life]

Today we would have visited a peony garden tomorrow a wisteria festival.

That’s sad and weren’t you off to Chelsea as well?