Japan Travel Blog

Sunday, 1 October 2017

Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and Senbon Torii (31 Aug 2017)

This is the Head Shrine of the approximately 30,000 Inari Shrines throughout Japan. The Senbon Torii line the path to give it a tunnel-like approach. Since the Edo period, it has been a custom at this shrine to make Torii offerings as expressions of thankfulness and prayer. They are coloured vermillion as this colour is believed to ward off evil and disaster. The Torii typically last 20 years and need to be constantly replaced and reinforced. On average, around 3 torii are said to be replaced every day.

How to go from Kyoto Station:
Take JR Nara Line to Inari Station
or
Take Keihan Line to Fushimi Inari Station

Admission: Free

Kyoto Station

Water Feature in Miyako-no-Michi:
Don't miss this interesting water feature located at the Miyako-no-Michi - part of the shopping/dining mall on the south west side of Kyoto Station.

Kyoto Station Building's Illumination Art:

Enjoyed this unique illumination art on the grand staircase at the station building which started in Nov 2012 to commemorate the building's 15th anniversary. Approx 15,000 LED bulbs are installed on 125 of the 171-steps. The illumination design changes according to each season and celebrated events. Illumination starts from 5 pm.

Beautiful sunset views from the top of the building:

Seems like an endless tunnel of escalators:
Isetan Department Store here has 13 floors altogether. The way the escalators are located is very different from the norm. You can continue with your upward or downward flights of escalators without having to walk round them. It is awesome and a bit frightening (especially for one who have height phobia) if you look down from the highest flight of scalator.

Kyoto Tower:

Sunday, 24 September 2017

Kyoto Gion: Tatsumi-bashi Bridge + Hanamikoji Street + Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine + Yasaka-no-to Pagoda (2 Sep 2017)

Gion is indeed one of the liveliest area in Kyoto, a must-go to feel the real Kyoto. The must-see sites include the Tatsumi-bashi Bridge and Hanamikoji Street. We also took a stroll through Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine all the way to Yasaka Pagoda.

We dropped by Gion on our way back from Kibune. We stopped at Gion-shijo Station (Keihan Line) and took a short walk to Kawaramachi station where we'd a late lunch of spaghetti at Kamakura Pasta restaurant. A brand under the Saintmarc group, this is a popular pasta restaurant chain that offers more than 30 kinds of Japanese-Italian fusion pasta dishes at affordable prices. Its pasta is made of durum wheat which brings out the umami of pasta with its unique chewy texture. Make sure to also try out the all-you-can-eat freshly baked mini bread rolls and pizza too. See website for more: saint-marc-hd.com/kamakura/menu/309

Location of Kamakura Pasta Kawaramachi outlet (B1, Kotocross Hankyu Mall)

After a hearty meal, we headed for Gion Tatsumi-bashi Bridge. Along the way, we passed the Shijo-Dori (literally means Fourth Avenue) which is lined with interesting shops selling an array of traditional Kyoto food, snacks and souvenirs.

Freshly-made Kyoto snacks

on the way to Tastumi-bashi Bridge

Shirakawa-minami Dori and Tatsumi-bashi Bridge: This street run along the Shirakawa River, where willow trees sway in the wind. The willow trees and the traditional Japanese wooden houses blend perfectly with the stone-paved street and made popular photo-shooting spots.

Hanamikoji-Dori Street: This is the main street of Gion and a must-visit in Kyoto. Enjoy the stroll along the street lined with traditional Japanese wooden buildings, housing Machiya cafes and souvenir shops.

Slow and relaxing stroll in the evening through Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine all the way to Yasaka Pagoda:

Approaching Yasaka Pagoda:

Popular coffee house named % located just before the Pagoda. Long queue and packed inside:

This 5-storey high Yasaka Pagoda located up a slope, is an icon of Higashiyama:

Picturesque sunset views from the top of the slope where the Pagoda is. Rickshaw just finished its round and returning to wait for the next client.

Shop near the top of the slope selling freshly-made warabi mochi:

Wanted to try out the coffee at % on the way back around 6pm but cafe was already closed for the day.

Tuesday, 19 September 2017

Kyoto Arashiyama: Togetsu Bridge, Tenryu Temple, Kimono Forest, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Torokko Train (1 Sep 2017)

Togetsu Bridge
an icon of Arashiyama

Tenryu-ji Temple

Kimono Forest:
Located at Randen Arashiyama station (opposite Tenryu-ji), the Kimono Forest is a small garden with a dashing display of about 600 Yuzen poles of colourful kimono fabric designs. At the end of the walk is the Ryu-no-Atago water feature with a dragon ball that appears to be floating on the water. Said to provide protection for traffic safety. The station also has a shopping complex Hannari Hokkori Square.

Admission: Free

Ryu-no-Atago Ike

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
(photos with compliments from Song)

A must-go attraction in Kyoto. The stroll through the Bamboo Forest was the highlight of our Kyoto trip and was most relaxing and memorable. With artisan crafting dragonfly out of bamboo and street street musician playing soothing music using a hang drum, these activities blend perfectly with the environment.

Admission: Free
Walk to Torokko Arashiyama station: 30 min to 1 hour stroll, with stops for photography

Awesome! Reminded me of that iconic scene from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon...

Artisan crafting bamboo dragonfly that balances perfectly on the tip of its head.

Street musician Koji Kose playing a musical instrument called Hang drum. Relaxing music
that blends perfectly with the environment.

Catch the relaxing whisper of the bamboos swaying with the breeze.

Scenic Torokko Train:

We ended our Bamboo Forest stroll at the Torokko Arashiyama station. We got on the Torokko train which brought us through a scenic stretch of forest & tunnels, running along the river with amazing views.

Train Fare: 620 yen one way from Torokko Arashiyama station to Torokko Kameoka station.
Length of Ride: about 20 min
Operating Hours: Operates daily (except Wed) from 9 am to 4 pm

As the Torokko train is extremely popular especially during the autumn season, it is best to purchase the tickets in advance at the Midori Madoguchi ticket offices at major JR West Japan stations or travel agencies. We bought ours the day before at the JR West ticket office in Kyoto station. Staff was a friendly chap who can speak English and advised us on which are the better seats. Ask for seats with the river view.

From Kameoka station, it is another 8-min of relaxing and pleasant walk along vast padi fields to JR Umahori station where you can take a train (25 min) to Kyoto station.

As it was still early (around 3pm) when we reached Umahori station, we decided to go on to visit Kinkaku-Ji. From Umahori station, we took the JR train to En-machi station and hopped onto a taxi to Kinkaku-Ji. Taxi fare was 1,100 yen. See posting on Kinkaku-ji.