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A experience on the bullet practice introduced me from Odawara Station to Kyoto. This was yet one more addition to a visit stuffed with a number of thrilling moments. Taking a experience on the high-speed practice (Shinkansen) was one thing I appeared ahead to throughout this journey to Japan.
Lengthy-time readers will know that trains are my favorite mode of transport. This experience was one I needed to tick off my train-travel-related dwelling checklist, which additionally options the epic Trans-Mongolian rail journey from Mongolia to China and a luxurious practice journey anyplace on the planet.
For now, I might benefit from the luxurious of driving the second-class berth on the practice because it zoomed previous the countryside. And after I say “luxurious”, I imply that, as a result of the Japanese are usually well mannered and aware of others in public areas.
The berth was clear and quiet, making a experience in any class a nice expertise, particularly so when the journey results in a metropolis as charming as Kyoto!
I selected to journey on a mid-afternoon practice, so I may get the prospect to go to Hakone Shrine, its Torii gate, and Odawara Citadel.
However First, A Cease on the Hakone Shrine…
That morning, it took me a brief 5-minute stroll from the lodge to the shrine and an hour later, I used to be nonetheless there, marvelling at its magnificence and ease, simply as a phenomenal dawn unfold its colors throughout the lake. To have the ability to go to this place and have this expertise unhindered was priceless.
Later, I returned to the lodge to get pleasure from a nice promenade across the gardens, earlier than settling in for a pleasant breakfast.
Time handed swiftly, because it all the time does when one is having enjoyable and I raced to catch my practice, regretfully leaving Odawara Citadel out of my deliberate stops for the day.
Because it seems, I didn’t have to fret a lot as a result of I used to be capable of change my ticket with none further cost. Had I identified this earlier, I might have actually made a cease on the citadel.
Lower than three hours later, I arrived in Kyoto and made my option to the lodge in Gion, town’s most well-known geisha district.
Day 1 in Kyoto: Journey and Relaxation Day
I stayed on the Keep Sakura Kyoto Kiyomizu Gojo Lodge, which was an acceptable base for my time in Kyoto. After a number of early mornings in Japan and much more to return, I used to be comfortable to spend the rest of at the present time leisurely. My adventures in Kyoto must wait till the next day.
Day 2 in Kyoto: Gion District, Temples and Shrines
The following morning, I began my day vivid and early by visiting completely different sights in Higashimaya. This can be a well-liked space the place you’ll discover a number of previous temples, shrines, conventional homes and retailers.
My first stops, which have been a strolling distance from the lodge, have been the charming previous cobblestone streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka.
Locations to Go to in Kyoto: Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
There have been a handful of individuals within the space after I arrived and a line of photographers and their topics ready to get one in all Kyoto’s most iconic pictures – the one with Hokan-ji Temple’s Yasaka Pagoda within the background.
As a result of Kyoto is so well-liked, you gained’t essentially get most locations to your self regardless of how early you arrive. Nonetheless, I nonetheless advocate visiting well-known locations early within the day or later within the night to raise your expertise.
However, on this lovely autumn week, I discovered most locations within the metropolis to be bearable crowd-wise. I walked by way of Higashimaya at completely different occasions of the day and it was all the time a nice expertise.
Subsequent, I adopted the indicators main out of the streets to the centuries-old hillside temple, Kiyomizu-dera, one other vacationer favorite in Kyoto.
Locations to Go to in Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
This temple dates again to the eighth century and is a part of the Historic Monuments of Historic Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Certainly one of its sights is the principle corridor with a big veranda that gives spectacular views of town, particularly throughout autumn.
After spending a while round Kiyomizu-dera, I noticed that I had a number of hours earlier than my subsequent scheduled exercise – attending a tea ceremony with Maikoya. So I assumed I’d merely stroll round and pop into anyplace that was open.
Different Locations to Go to in Kyoto…
And stroll, I did, admiring how previous and new Kyoto blended so delicately! From Yasaka Shrine to Maruyama Park; From Chion-in and Shoren-in Temples to Heian Shrine.
I walked previous lovely flowing rivers, flanked by timber with beautiful autumn colors and stopped to look at geese and turtles swim in them. One minute I may see modern-looking buildings and the following, it was conventional structure and pure nature.
Afterward, as I headed again in the direction of Gion and the venue of the tea ceremony, I stumbled upon Omen Restaurant, a spot I had seen extremely beneficial on-line. Fortunately, it was nearly opening time after I arrived and I used to be first in line to get seated.
I ordered a bowl of udon noodles with a aspect of tempura. Though I didn’t fairly fall in love with the style of udon, the meal was an excellent one and did effectively to sate my starvation.
By the point I used to be finished with lunch, I had simply sufficient time to stroll over to Maikoya, get become a Kimono and attend the ceremony.
Issues to Do in Kyoto – Tea Ceremony in Kyoto with Maikoya
As quickly as I arrived on the townhouse in Gion the place Maikoya holds these periods, I used to be ushered right into a room to alter. My session got here with a kimono (conventional Japanese outfit), which Maikoya enables you to hold till 6 pm the identical day.
I selected every bit of the outfit and the workers helped me put it on and get my hair finished. I used to be fairly impressed with the way in which they dealt with my braids.
Then it was time for the principle occasion. One of many workers members led me to the ceremonial room and there I waited for different members of the group and the host to affix us.
Sadō -The Method of Tea
The Japanese tea ceremony, referred to as Sadō or “The Method of Tea”, is a cultural exercise that includes the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha. Throughout our session, the host took us by way of an in depth historical past of the ceremony, earlier than continuing to carry out it.
She then made her cup of matcha, whereas we watched on quietly. Afterwards, we had the chance to make ours and have them with some Japanese sweets.
The entire thing lasted about half an hour and was an insightful and delightful expertise. I used to be glad that I included it in my Kyoto itinerary.
I turned in my kimono and walked the quick distance again to the lodge. And with that, my first full day of sightseeing in Kyoto got here to an finish.
Over the following few days, my adventures in Kyoto would take me to go to extra temples and shrines. I might get misplaced in lovely again alleyways that transported me again in time, solely to emerge within the “current”, the place taller and extra fashionable buildings outlined the skyline.
I spent 4 days in Kyoto and it was not practically sufficient to scratch the floor of what this lovely Japanese metropolis has to supply. Nonetheless, it was a incredible introduction and I left feeling utterly happy with my keep however keen to return again sometime!
Have you ever visited Kyoto (or some other Japanese cities)? I might love to listen to about your journey and proposals within the remark part beneath!
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