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.
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.I had to wait around 10 minutes for the 204The bus fare was ¥230 (₹120/$1.8/€1.7)From the bus stop, you have to walk for at least 10 minutes to get to the ticket counterThe entry fee to Kinaku-ji costs ¥400 (₹215/$3.26/€3)As you enter the main grounds, you can see the Kinaku-ji temple in the distanceI swapped lenses and took a close up shot of the Golden pavilionThe 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.
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.
I walked to Kyoto station, which is just 15 minutes from Shiori-an GuesthouseThat’s Kyoto station, panorama styleIt’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.The train ride to Inari station takes less than 10 minutes. It’s the very next stop.And as soon as you exit JR Inari station, voila! That’s the entrance to Fushimi Inari-taishaThere is no entrance feeHere 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.Everything is of the same colour, including the templesFushimi 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 mountainOkay, let the climbing commence!
After exploring Gion, I crossed over to the other side of Shijo Street.
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.I walked around a bit and found myself in a narrow lane full of barsQuite trendy and discreetBack out in the openNo guesses as to what this restaurant specializes inThat crab restaurant was the end of the Teramachi shopping arcadeTeramachi pretty big and these arcades are spread across for much of Shijo StreetBut I was trying to find Nishiki Market, as it was getting late