Date: 22nd March, 2015
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 temples
There was massive renovation work undergoing at sections of the Nishi Honganji complex
You 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 outside
On 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 Honganji
They used to transport the wooden logs on these sledges
The 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 2015
An old map of the Nishi and Higashi Honganji temple complex
I don’t know if these smaller structures are new
There wasn’t much else to see. So I left.
I hopped on the local bus to get to Shijo street
Shijo street is a major shopping hub
You have several branded stores, eateries and many department stores
On either side of the street, pavements are covered along the entire stretch
Saw quite a few women walking around in kimonos
Kyoto’s old city charms are easy to spot
Although there are modern shops on Shijo Street, you still have buildings with traditional architecture like the Kyoto Opera House
A street performer playing a shamisen
This is the Kamo River
Kyoto’s appeal is definitely how traces of ancient Japan can still be found amidst modernity
Eventually I found myself at the entrance to Gion
Gion 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 bars
Gion 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’ picture
After 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 not
This 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 temple
I 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 drizzle
So I kept walking
And 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 tower
This 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 Gion
The rains had stopped
I was loving Kyoto’s traditional look
Back in Gion, I again walked past the weird guy dressed up in a school girl outfit with ‘Saw’ make-up on
It’s no wonder the Gion area is popular for film shoots
I was back on Hanamikoji road
Spotted 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.
Next post in this series:
Japan 2015: Kyoto – Nishiki market and Teramachi
Japan 2015: Kyoto – Fushimi Inari-taisha, and climbing to the mountain top
Japan 2015: Kyoto – Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu Dera temple
Japan 2015: Kyoto – Gion Corner Cultural Show
Japan 2015: Kyoto – Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama
Japan 2015: Kyoto – Monkey Park in Arashiyama
Japan 2015: Kyoto Station, and arriving at Himeji by shinkansen
Japan 2015: Himeji Castle, and the unexpected air show
Japan 2015: Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery, leaving Himeji for Tokyo — and my last bullet train ride
Japan 2015: Nakamise street, Senso-ji temple, and Ueno Park sakura at half-bloom
Japan 2015: Ueno Zoo – pandas, a lonely polar bear, and more
Japan 2015: Shibuya – the busiest crossing in the world, and home to a loyal dog
Japan 2015: Nishi-Shinjuku — views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building sky deck
Japan 2015: Shopping in Shinjuku, and exploring Kabukicho
Japan 2015: Denboin garden, near Sensoji Temple
Japan 2015: Cherry blossom celebrations by Sumida River
Japan 2015: Boat ride to Odaiba; giant Gundam statue at DiverCity Mall
Japan 2015: Cherry blossoms at Tokyo Imperial Palace east garden
Japan 2015: Cherry blossom sightings at Shinjuku Gyoen
Japan 2015: Harajuku on a Sunday – Meiji shrine and Yoyogi Park
Japan 2015: Harajuku at night — Takeshita Street
Japan 2015 – Visiting Akihabara a second time, because why not?
Japan 2015: Cherry blossoms in full bloom at Ueno Park
Japan 2015: Rikugien garden’s weeping cherry blossom tree
Japan 2015: Getting to Hakone; Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise
Japan 2015: Hakone ropeway; onsen at Hotel Green Plaza
Japan 2015: Ōwakudani sulphur springs, views of Mt. Fuji — and last night in Tokyo
Japan 2015: Getting to Narita Airport — and flying an Airbus A380 for the first time
Previous posts in this series:
Japan 2015: Riding a bullet train for the first time, Tokyo to Kyoto
Japan 2015: Walking around Akihabara and Ginza
Japan 2015: Going to Akihabara, and spending way too much time in Yodobashi Akiba
Japan 2015: Landing in Tokyo… and using a communal bath for the first time