The Japan (Winter) Diaries - Day 11
January 7, 2017
It was nice not having to wake up super early to catch a train to Kyoto, thanks to waking up there! I did wake up pretty early though to visit Arashiyama Bamboo forest before the crowds started getting too crazy. This is what exploring Kyoto in one day looked like!
The amount of people already there was a little surprising, but it was really only a handful of people with the same idea as me. It's a lot smaller than the pictures naturally, but it was still just as breathtakingly beautiful. A perfect, peaceful start to my morning.
Next up, Kinkaku-ji temple, the famous Golden Pavilion, as it is otherwise known. I had to take a bus to get here, instead of a subway like I had been taking so far. One spectacular view after another to start off the morning on the right foot. It cost to get in and I didn't stick around long since the crowds were arriving; just long enough to soak in the spectacular beauty of the temple, before heading out to find green tea ice cream with gold leaf sprinkled on top. Yum!
The famous Nishiki Market was next on my list. To Downtown Kyoto I went. It was a nice change of pace from the nature of Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji, although this market was just as packed, but at least there was food now! I saw lots of fresh produce and seafood, and certainly some unusual foods as well.
After Nishiki Market, I stopped for lunch of soba and tempura right outside. Then crossed the street to visit the Kyoto Pokemon Center. Of course, I would manage to find another Pokemon store.
Next up, Gion. And literally as I was crossing the street into Gion, I spotted actual geisha! I was lucky enough to see a few more geisha wandering around as I went along, visiting their patrons. It wasn't hard to tell where a geisha was either, thanks to the mass of photographers waiting outside, cameras in hand. Apparently, you can get fined for this! While I did snap a couple pictures in excitement, I let them be and carry on with their errands.
After exploring a little bit more of Gion, I headed for Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto's most popular Buddhist temples. And as if I hadn't had enough ice cream in one day, on my descent from the temple, I found sake-flavored ice cream. Talk about delicious.
Somehow I managed to walk all the way back to my hotel (Kyoto Tower) from Kiyomizu-dera, where I rested our feet a bit before heading out to find dinner of a beef bowl and udon.
Highlight of the Day
seeing a geisha
Favorite Food of the Day
beef bowl
Favorite Snack of the Day
sake ice cream
Favorite Drink of the Day
N/A
