Kyoto sightseeing
We are adjusting to local time and woke later, making it to breakfast at 0800 today. The weather was still spitting a little but we decided it was good enough for a daytrip to Kyoto.
We got to Kyoto by metro connecting to a train. We had trouble working out buying the correct fare and taking the correct train type. The rebellious nature in my travel companions saw us buying the cheapest ticket and hopping on the first train, regardless of it being express or normal. Very naughty.
When the double-decker train pulled up, we had to queue while it was cleaned swiftly and all seat back flipped into the opposite direction in unison. Rodger had to video this for the return journey!
The train was nice and quiet. We got off at Shichijo where it was a brief walk to Sanjusangendo Temple. This is home to the one thousand multi-armed Buddhas. The temple and the small (but nice) surrounding garden was very serene.
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- At Sanjusangendo Temple.
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- Sanjusangendo Temple’s garden.
A bit of navigation took us to our next sight, Kiyomizudera Temple. We went through a red portal before coming to a dark wooden structure with a huge verandah, built over the hillside. There was a Buddha inside.
From the verandah, it was a beautiful green scenery. It would have been even better with cherry blossoms or autumn leaves. There was a spring which one would have to pay to drink from, and a picturesque eatery overlooking the valley.
We opted for a different route downhill. It was a pedestrian-only route which had interesting shops of knick-knacks and food.
Downhill at Gion, we found a Chinese dimsum food which made some good siumai and hakau, spring rolls and black sesame balls. Expensive pricing meant we only treated it as a snack.
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- Portal to Kiyomizudera Temple.
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- Portal to Kiyomizudera Temple.
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- Kiyomizudera Temple.
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- The verandah offered a good view of the hillside.
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- At Kiyomizudera Temple.
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- At Kiyomizudera Temple.
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- All dressed up.
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- Walking back down to Gion.
We returned from Shijo station to Namba by train then metro. Back in our area, we explored Daimaru department store’s food hall. It was nice but pricey.
In the evening
In the evening we went to Bic Camera store. Liisa and I used the massage chairs and reflexology machines while Kim and Rodger looked at cameras.
Dinner was at a Chinese place which Kim calls the white gumboot near the Swissotel. We ran into Kim’s colleagues who had just arrived. It was fry-fest of gyoza, chicken and prawns. After dinner, I accompanied Kim to a model shop where he wanted to buy a Lotus. No luck there; the correct model was available but in the wrong colour.
On the way back we noticed a pet store near the hotel with many cats and dogs. Some of them are as much as NZD2000!
Back at the room, we packed in preparation for tomorrow’s departure for Beijing. One step closer to our train adventure.