Browse Month

November 2015

Japan: Kyoto – Gion Corner Cultural Show

By Mithun Divakaran
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Nov 25, 2015
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Japan, Travel

Date: 23rd March, 2015

My day of sightseeing across Kyoto began at the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha before returning to the city to visit Kinaku-ji and Kiyomizu Dera. And although I felt I had seen enough, I found myself walking towards Gion Corner — a theater that has a daily cultural show showing some Japanese traditions and live theater.

Gion street at night Kyoto — The sun had set over Kyoto

Gion corner Kyoto night — The shows are held inside Yasaka Hall, next to the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theatre

Gion Corner show information — I was on two minds about attending the show. It’s quite pricey ¥3150 (₹1700/$25/€24) and I assumed there wouldn’t be any tickets for the final show.

Gion Corner crowd Kyoto Japan — But it turns out there still a few seats left for the final show. And since I was already in line, I thought why not, and bought myself a ticket

Gion Corner cultural show Kyoto — We all sat down for the show. Other than introductions of each segment in English, everything else would be in Japanese.

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Japan: Kyoto – Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu Dera temple

By Mithun Divakaran
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Nov 14, 2015
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Japan, Travel

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

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

By Mithun Divakaran
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Nov 04, 2015
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Japan, Travel

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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