We could spend a long time exploring Kyoto, but unfortunately we only have a couple of days. We seem to have spent about half our time in the huge and bizarre station building which contains the tourist information office, post office (adjacent), and lots of restaurants and shops. Yesterday we visited Nijo-jo, a castle built by a local governor to show the emperor of the time who was really the boss. The rooms are tatami matting and decorated screens (where did they keep anything??). the surrounding corridors have floors made of dark wooden planks, that squeak when you walk on them. It is called a Nightingale floor, because the squeaks are very melodic and really quite bird-like. We didn't find out how this works.
Today we went to explore the eastern part of Kyoto. It is gorgeous. You could spend days exploring the alleyways of Gion and Shimbashi, and the temples around the area. We saw a fabulous temple, Sanjusangen-do, that contained 1000 statues with 40 arms each. They were all life size, and arranged in rows, 500 on each side of a large central figure who was twice life size. It really was an awesome sight. We explored some beautiful cobbled streets of shops, coming down the hill from another temple, Kiyomizu-dera. They still drive cars and vans down these streets, even though there's hardly room for them to pass pedestrians! We saw a couple more temples in the afternoon (the pretty Kodai-Ji is the first picture above) - each has its unique style and atmosphere - then in the evening we went to the very exotic `Pig and Whistle` for some British fish and chips plus a pint. Well you have to explore a mix of cultures you know...
After dark, we walked along an enticing alley next to the Kamo-gawa River, in the Pontocho district, where geisha used to work. There are lots of restaurants that have balconies facing the River - a little out of our price range, but the alley itself was fascinating to walk along. Every restaurant front had its own style and lighting, and there were these little back alleys leading off to mysterious doors, that are beautiful or eery or atmospheric in their own right. It`s not a very long street, but we spent a long time walking down it.
There`s lots more we`d like to see here, but we are heading for the small island of Yakushima, off the southern tip of Kyushu (the south western part of Japan). So the next few days will be quick stops at Hiroshima, and Aso (a volcanic crater) on our way to the ferry that takes us to Yakushima. Yay, lots of bullet trains...
Jennifer P. said...
Oooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh! You are making me homesick for Japan! Have you heard the Japanese word "natsukashi?" It means to feel nostalgic. Looking at your photos and reading about the rest of your plans for Japan make me feel very natsukashi.
Have a GREAT time on Yakushima. If you have access to a car, there is a funky cafe somewhere up in the woods that is completely overrun with driftwood creature sculptures. Can't remember the name or location, but it could be a fun scavenger hunt. You might see ads for it in local business flyers.
Tanoshinde kudasai! Enjoy yourselves...
Anonymous said...
HI Rachel and Steve!!! It's Leah and Alan here. Thanks for the present!!! I like little pursies. I also hope you guys weren't affected/in the earthquake! Alan says hi too.
Bye for now :-) Leah
Steve + Rachel said...
Huge thanks to Jennifer whose pre-trip advice was our sole inspiration to visit Yakashima. She told us it was her fave place in Japan - now it is ours too! Thanks Jen - hope you enjoyed England!