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Travel

Photos and stories from many of my travels in the past 5 years

Japan: Kyoto – Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama

By Mithun Divakaran
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Dec 03, 2015
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Japan, Travel

Date: 24th March, 2015

After an eventful day of activities yesterday, today was going to be just as hectic. I didn’t feel like leaving Kyoto without seeing some more attractions. And so I woke up early and set off for Arashiyama, a popular tourist town with lots to see and do.

Kyoto station morning rush Japan — Kyoto station was bustling

Kyoto station roof design Japan — I’ll have another post on Kyoto station’s unique architecture

Sagano line Kyoto station — To get to Arashiyama, I had to board a train on the Sagano line

JR train to Arashiyama from Kyoto station — That is the JR train I was going to board. Tickets cost ¥240 (₹120/$1.8/€1.7) for a one way trip to Arashiyama

Kyoto outskirts houses Japan — The journey from Kyoto city to Arashiyama by train takes about 20 minutes

Driving school training road Kyoto — This must be a driving school

Rail and piano museum Arashiyama Japan — Just outside Saga Arashiyama station is a museum showcasing rail memorabilia and pianos from the 19th century. Yes, you read that right 🙂

Arashiyama cycle map Kyoto Japan — Renting a bicycle is a popular way to get around Arashiyama

Bamboo forest sign Arasiyama Japan — I wanted to rent one but I knew I could only spend an afternoon in Arashiyama. So I decided to walk instead, not knowing how much I could cover by 2PM

Small house Arashiyama Japan — Love spotting these cute houses

Bamboo forest entrance Arashiyama Kyoto — The entrance to Bamboo Forest is a short 15 minute walk from Saga Arashiyama station. Just before entering, I felt like having a beef croquette which was being sold at a small stall (on the right).

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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
/
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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