Saturday, February 12, 2011
Kyoto, Japan - Day 4 & 5
November 17 - 18, 2010
Day 4
On our last whole day in Kyoto, we planned to do more shopping, visit Pontocho again and go to other temples that we haven't seen yet. So we went back to Shijo Kawaramachi first thing in the morning and I happily grabbed the things that I've been eyeing since day 1. As we walked in the narrow side streets, we found Nishiki Market by chance. Known as Kyoto's Kitchen, Nishiki Market is lined with shops selling fish, meat, dried goods, side dishes, yuba (dried bean curd skin), pickles, Japanese sweets, sushi, and fresh seafood and vegetables. There is a saying in Kyoto that goes "There is no kind of food that you can't find at Nishiki." We tried some goodies of course. The cleanliness in the marketplace was very impressive, you wouldn't see anything that litters the floor and the place doesn't smell like a market at all.
On our last whole day in Kyoto, we planned to do more shopping, visit Pontocho again and go to other temples that we haven't seen yet. So we went back to Shijo Kawaramachi first thing in the morning and I happily grabbed the things that I've been eyeing since day 1. As we walked in the narrow side streets, we found Nishiki Market by chance. Known as Kyoto's Kitchen, Nishiki Market is lined with shops selling fish, meat, dried goods, side dishes, yuba (dried bean curd skin), pickles, Japanese sweets, sushi, and fresh seafood and vegetables. There is a saying in Kyoto that goes "There is no kind of food that you can't find at Nishiki." We tried some goodies of course. The cleanliness in the marketplace was very impressive, you wouldn't see anything that litters the floor and the place doesn't smell like a market at all.
After walking from end to end of the market, we went to Pontocho to see it's view at daytime. It indeed is a beautiful alley.
In the afternoon we walked from the city centre towards Yasaka Shrine. Also known as Gion Shrine, it is one of the city's best known landmarks.
As we've been to a lot of temples in the previous days, we couldn't remember what they are called. We were advised by the owner of the inn to go to Kiyomizu Temple to see an event at night with beautiful display of lights. So we got on a bus and walked uphill only to realise that this was the same big temple that we just visited the day before.. hehe. So we did not stay any longer and just headed to Gion instead.
Gion is located just in front of Yasaka Shrine. The district was built to accommodate the needs of travellers and visitors to the shrine. It eventually evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan. Gion remains dotted with old-style Japanese townhouses and tea houses.
We were so craving crepe that night and that was the time that we could not find one. So we just carried on with shopping. :-)
Day 5
We bid goodbye to the owner of Chita Guest Inn, walked towards Kyoto station pulling our luggages, and bought train tickets to Tokyo. Yes we travelled on board Japan's famous bullet train. :-)
As we've been to a lot of temples in the previous days, we couldn't remember what they are called. We were advised by the owner of the inn to go to Kiyomizu Temple to see an event at night with beautiful display of lights. So we got on a bus and walked uphill only to realise that this was the same big temple that we just visited the day before.. hehe. So we did not stay any longer and just headed to Gion instead.
Gion is located just in front of Yasaka Shrine. The district was built to accommodate the needs of travellers and visitors to the shrine. It eventually evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan. Gion remains dotted with old-style Japanese townhouses and tea houses.
We were so craving crepe that night and that was the time that we could not find one. So we just carried on with shopping. :-)
Day 5
We bid goodbye to the owner of Chita Guest Inn, walked towards Kyoto station pulling our luggages, and bought train tickets to Tokyo. Yes we travelled on board Japan's famous bullet train. :-)
