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attractions of kyoto

Kinakuji golden temple Kyoto Japan

Japan: Kyoto – Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu Dera temple

Date: 23rd March, 2015

After returning from Fushimi Inari-tasiha, I took the train to Kiatoji station and from there I inquired how to get to Kinaku-ji temple. Fortunately there is a tourism help desk with an English-speaking staff to assist, and I was instructed to take bus 204.

Kitaoji bus station Kyoto Japan
The bus bays are like this. Each door is reserved for specific buses, and it only opens when the bus has arrived at the door.
Bus 204 to Kinakuji Kyoto Japan
I had to wait around 10 minutes for the 204
Inside Kyoto bus 204 Japan
The bus fare was ¥230 (₹120/$1.8/€1.7)
Kinakuji entrance Kyoto Japan
From the bus stop, you have to walk for at least 10 minutes to get to the ticket counter
Kinakuji ticket booklet Kyoto Japan
The entry fee to Kinaku-ji costs ¥400 (₹215/$3.26/€3)
Kinakuji panorama Kyoto Japan
As you enter the main grounds, you can see the Kinaku-ji temple in the distance
Kinakuji reflection pond Kyoto Japan
I swapped lenses and took a close up shot of the Golden pavilion
Kinakuji golden temple Kyoto Japan
The Kinaku-ji is one of the most famous Zen Buddhism shrines in all of Japan. Iconic due to its golden exterior and its location in a pond.

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Torii pillar wooden names Kyoto Japan

Japan: Kyoto – Fushimi Inari-taisha, and climbing to the mountain top

Date: 23rd March, 2015

I spent yesterday exploring the shopping areas of Kyoto city center, but today, I planned to see the big attractions. First on my itinerary was a visit the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha temple.

Kyoto city pavement Japan
I walked to Kyoto station, which is just 15 minutes from Shiori-an Guesthouse
Kyoto station panorama Japan
That’s Kyoto station, panorama style
Kyoto station Nara line Japan
It’s very easy to get to the shrine by train. Just buy a ¥140 ticket to Fushimi Inari Station and hop on a train on the JR Nara line.
Kyoto river stream Japan
The train ride to Inari station takes less than 10 minutes. It’s the very next stop.
Fushimi Inari entrance from station
And as soon as you exit JR Inari station, voila! That’s the entrance to Fushimi Inari-taisha
Fushimi Inari-taisha entrance
There is no entrance fee
Fushimi Inari-taisha map Japan
Here is a map of the Fushimi Inari-taisha. There are a few temples below but as you climb the mountain, you will walk through the famous red-ish, orange (vermillion?) wooden pillar gates (called toriis in Japanese) all the way to the top.
Fushimi Inari red temples Kyoto
Everything is of the same colour, including the temples
Fushimi Inari wolf statue Kyoto
Fushimi Inari is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. As per their mythology, foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers. So you will see many fox statues across the shrine and up the mountain
Fushimi-inari taisha tourists Japan
Okay, let the climbing commence!

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Nishiki market store Kyoto Japan

Japan: Kyoto – Nishiki market and Teramachi

Date: 22nd March, 2015

After exploring Gion, I crossed over to the other side of Shijo Street.

Sticky rice bbq sweet
I forgot what this was called. Mitarashi Dango? Essentially pounded sticky rice grilled and then coated with sweetened soy sauce. It was chilly and I felt like eating something hot.
Narrow lane Kyoto Japan
I walked around a bit and found myself in a narrow lane full of bars
Kyoto bar Japan
Quite trendy and discreet
Stream Kyoto city Japan
Back out in the open
Crab restaurant Kyoto Japan
No guesses as to what this restaurant specializes in
Teramachi shopping street
That crab restaurant was the end of the Teramachi shopping arcade
Teramachi street Kyoto Japan
Teramachi pretty big and these arcades are spread across for much of Shijo Street
Kyoto shopping district Japan
But I was trying to find Nishiki Market, as it was getting late

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