After arriving in Kyoto by bullet train and checking in to Shiori-an Guesthouse, I began my sightseeing walk around Kyoto. Nishi and Higashi Honganji, two Shin Buddhism temples, were close to where I was staying, so I first went there.
Saw a lot of furry cats outside the templesThere was massive renovation work undergoing at sections of the Nishi Honganji complexYou cannot enter the temple with footwear. You have remove your shoes, carry them in these plastic bags and only then climb up the steps.This temple hall was built in 1895 and claims to be the largest structure made entirely of wood
Or so it claims. I don’t know if it still remains the largest wooden structure, especially after having seen The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya which uses a heck lot of teak wood.
Photography isn’t allowed inside the hall, so this is all I could shoot from outsideOn the side, they had displays depicting how workers brought down trees from the nearby hills to be used in the construction of Nishi and Higashi HonganjiThey used to transport the wooden logs on these sledgesThe ropes the workers used were made of human hair (believe it or not) as they were deemed to be much stronger. This was one such rope used.The renovation work is set to be complete by the end of 2015An old map of the Nishi and Higashi Honganji temple complexI don’t know if these smaller structures are newThere wasn’t much else to see. So I left.I hopped on the local bus to get to Shijo streetShijo street is a major shopping hubYou have several branded stores, eateries and many department storesOn either side of the street, pavements are covered along the entire stretchSaw quite a few women walking around in kimonosKyoto’s old city charms are easy to spotAlthough there are modern shops on Shijo Street, you still have buildings with traditional architecture like the Kyoto Opera HouseA street performer playing a shamisenThis is the Kamo RiverKyoto’s appeal is definitely how traces of ancient Japan can still be found amidst modernityEventually I found myself at the entrance to GionGion is one of Kyoto’s most famous attractions. A neighbourhood full of old-style Japanese houses called machiya. This is the main Hanami-koji street.That said, most of these old-style establishments are businesses — mostly eateries and barsGion is also a renowned Geisha district, with a few schools training maikos to become geishas. But geishas out in the public were a rare sight.Photoshoots were going on to get that perfect ‘I’m in a kimono’ pictureAfter sneaking in photos of women in kimonos, I asked these girls if I could take a photo of theirs after I saw other photographers requesting the same (that creepy ‘school girl’ will make another appearance later)I don’t know if this was a geisha school or notThis is Gion Corner, a theater which presents 1-hour shows of seven traditional performing arts of Kyoto. I would return here the next day.At the end of Hanami-koji road is Kenninji templeI don’t know if this was the Kenninji temple or a museum, but unfortunately I had arrived just as it was closing Adding to that, it began to drizzleSo I kept walkingAnd on the way out, I saw my very first cherry blossom tree! (Photo captured on my phone)I didn’t really know where I was headed on the way out. I just walked.Despite the drizzle, I found myself walking towards that towerThis is Toji Temple. Another Kyoto landmark… and already closed for the day. Tip: Try and visit the temples and historic buildings before 5PM.I opened up Google Maps on my phone and decided to get back to GionThe rains had stoppedI was loving Kyoto’s traditional lookBack in Gion, I again walked past the weird guy dressed up in a school girl outfit with ‘Saw’ make-up onIt’s no wonder the Gion area is popular for film shootsI was back on Hanamikoji roadSpotted a couple posing for photos. The robe the man is wearing is called the Yukata.
I left Gion and decided to walk to Nishiki Market and check out the shopping arcades before it got too late. That’s the next post.
