Elf's Shrine

After yesterday, today we started later. My mum woke up quite early to wash up and then she went back to sleep again. Although it would be hotter in the afternoon, I think it's probably a better idea to sleep in a bit since we still have quite a few days to go. Hopefully with the bettre weather in Hokkaido, she will find it easier to move around. It's tough in Kyoto with the hot weather and the hilly terrain.

We started out around 11ish and my mum bought lunch from a konbini while I got mine from... Mac's! After which we went to get a one day city bus pass (had an interlude there cos I was trying to confirm with the counter staff that it was unlimited rides, but they didn't quite know how to tell me, or they didn't quite understand me :( )Anyway, yes, the 500 yen city bus pass is definitely unlimited rides but only on board the flat rate City Buses. The first time that you take a bus with this pass, you have to slot in the card in the card validation slot near the driver when you alight. After that, all you need to do is to show the driver that the card has been validated for that day.

Took bus number 206 to Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) and walked up the slope (approximately 670 M) to the temple grounds. For those who have been to to Japanese temples before, you will know that this means that you reach the main gates and you still have lots of ground to cover inside. With the hot weather and steep gradient, it was giving even young people a hard time, not to mention my mum.

It costs 300 yen to enter the main hall for prayers, but that place is pretty good for photos as well. Incidentally, I think you can actually get into the main hall via another route without paying....... not asking you to do it, just saying. The main hall overlooks a very nice view and if you walk along further, you get to look back on the main hall and get the most classic view of Kiyomizu-dera that you find on the internet.

They are rebuilding some stuff, as you can see with the scaffolding.
This is the panoramic view from the main hall.


I'm not sure why but at this 地主神社, one can pray for matrimonial bliss. There are also two stones where it is said that you have good luck in love (or something like that) if you are able to walk from one stone to another blindfolded. Seems like it's meant to be for couples, and that one should guide the other and the one with eyes closed whould listen to the other so they can make it together. Quite meaningful wor.
Seriously the heat pretty much killed most of the mood and it was hard going on my mum... so we decided to skip any other temples. While we were on the bus, we decided to go to the Kyoto Museum.... but when we got there it was closed till the 12th of July!! It was closed since May and we had to arrive 2 days before it opens? sigh. Oh well, if you come here after the 12th of July, please note that there will be a new exhibition then.

We decided to go back to the hostel to rest as it was really........ again.. hot. At the hostel, we were thinking about where to go for dinner when I found that a branch of Ippudo (一風堂) was quite near... well, walking takes about 20 to 30 mins actually but you can take the bus.

Made it there and there was no queue since I think most people have already had their dinner. so we got seated immediately and were served our ramen promptly. Like seriously, I made the order, went out to get a photo of the entrance, came back, sat down and the ramen was served.

The ramen was delicious!! I should like to say that it tastes better than the one in Singapore, but honestly I only had that once. All I can say is that this bowl here in Kyoto gave me the "wah nice!!" feel while the one in Singapore didn't. The SG version was good, nonetheless but I'm a person who prefers strong flavours.. (no chilli, sour or bitter though, hypocrite right?) and the broth here was really quite nice with very tender chashu. The egg was disappointing though, there was no discernible taste. Maybe it was overpowered by the ramen, maybe it was meant to be that way. The most interesting thing is that there were like 2 wanton in the ramen. My mum said that they should be jiaozi since northerners don't have wanton (seriously Japan considered northerner...? I dunno lah ok)
Can see the wanton skin? Didn't manage to capture the wantons cos they were hiding underneath the spoon and I didn't realise till I started. Each bowl costs 1050 yen. Ramen, ajitama, chashu, wanton, yummy broth and a bunch of veges. Free flow ice tea and side dishes like the seasoned ginger etc.

If you are interested in having Ippudo in Japan, just hop on over to their website and find a nearby branch!