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Japan 2017: Temple run
posted : Sunday, June 18, 2017
Another full day of sightseeing!
I didn't exactly set a starting time for the days I plan...kind of want to keep it flexible. Probably a bit unnerving for others. Anyway on this day we ended up setting out at about 10. An hour bus ride with and there we are at Kinkaku-ji Temple, a.k.ahe Golden Pavillion. Originally was contemplating skipping this altogether coz it was kind of out of the way from everywhere but there's a strong mandate for it so here we are.
Setting off
Fushimi Inari station (not to be confused with Inari station) - different line, nicer architecture too!
Walking towards the temple
Entrance ticket which looked like a 符
 
The Golden Pavilion itself.
One of the annexes
More charms gimmicks
Like the symmetry here (except for a photobomber)
Walked 15 minutes down the road to this sushi place which is cheap and good! 100¥ per plate only.
Think it's a different place from what we saw online, like another restaurant took over but same concept.
Conveyor train sushi
Round 1
Had to take two buses again to our next stop, Arashiyama, famous for its bamboo forest. One of my favorite places in Kyoto, there's just a charm to it which I couldn't recapture on camera. Too many tourists though which kind of spoils the serene atmosphere.
Need two buses to Arashiyama.
Streets of Arashiyama
Tenryu-ji Temple.
没有樱花，有梅花也罢
A small garden near Tenryuji Temple
Walking towards Bamboo Forest
 
Throngs of tourists
Dreamy
Love this shot! Kevin's idea.
Out of the forest, saw a long queue for this so joined. Cheese tofu kind of thing, pretty good.
Togetsukyo Bridge
Around the area
Kimono ladies on hand pulled cart
%Arabica coffee and the longggg queue.
Even Arashiyama station also 美过人
Fusion of modern and traditional elements
Kimono forest next to Arashiyama station
Leaving
Another long train + bus ride back to city center, and on to our next destination, Kiyomizudera. There's a spring night viewing (otherwise it usually closes at 6pm) which is exclusive for a few days only so definitely can't miss that. Trekked uphill in the cold and drizzle (seriously, Kyoto weather could be better), then there's a bit of debate at the entrance about coming back the next morning instead (I can't even remember why already, probably coz it's dark and can't see much) but we ended up going in. Though we got separated and wander about in small groups of twos/threes. Quite a grand temple IMO though the main hall is undergoing restoration works and scaffolding everywhere kind of obstructs the view a bit. Oh and the fact that Sakura hasn't bloomed :/ There's a crowd but surprisingly manageable though.
Uphill in the cold and drizzle, have to take multiple breaks lol
Like stopping for cream puffs at Yatsuhashi
Entering temple
Pagoda near entrance
Closer look. Loving then night lights
Main building under renovation :( Also missing sakura :(
Spring night viewing special feature
Then it's back to the foot of the mountain for dinner! San found this okonomiyaki place which completely altered my opinion on okonomiyaki for good. Ok considering my previous experiences with okonomiyaki are the pasar malam versions which isn't any good lol.
Downhill is much easier + no rain
One of the side dishes
Okonomiyaki! Really good!
Also had yakisoba
Okonomiyaki Kiraku Kiyomizu Gojouzakaten
Had to walk some distance to train station post dinner for train ride back and Stel, Val and I were walking as fast as we can lol. I think Stel and I were the only ones who weren't wearing winter jackets. Val was wearing like 4/5 layers everyday but her tolerance for cold is pretty low hahaha. Meanwhile the rest were strolling along behind. Escaped into Lawson 100 (most things are 108¥) and ended up sweeping another round of snacks back. 
Introducing...药水1234. #insidejoke
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