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November 2015

Maiko dancer Kyoto Japan

Japan: Kyoto – Gion Corner Cultural Show

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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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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