Monday, October 28, 2013
Japan October 2013 - Kyoto (Day 8)
Today is planned to be the Temple day! Hopefully we can get in Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』, Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』and Kiyomizudera 『清水寺』. Looks to be tough though, unless we move fast but then that would not be fun anymore.
As Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』 and Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』 are on opposing sides of Kyoto, we decided on going to Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』 first as Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』 was nearer to Kiyomizudera 『清水寺』. First things first, we bought ourselves the 2 day Kyoto Bus and Subway pass for 2000 JPY each. This would allow us to take unlimited rides subway and city buses within the 220 JPY fare zone. A 1 day version of this pass is also available at 1200 JPY.
We boarded the bus to Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』 and if you are planning to come here but are worried that you will get lost on the bus systems, you do not have to worry. The buses are equipped with large monitors at the front, which show you the name of the next stop. The announcements for the next stop also go off frequently. In addition, if there is a major tourist location, or a connection to the subway, the announcement will also be made in English. You do not have to worry about language.
We got off at the announced stop and proceeded to pay our dues (bought ourselves the admission ticket). The admission ticket comes in the form of a talisman. Really cool!
We wandered around the grounds (Japanese temples are not like Singaporean temples ah, it's really quite big.) and took lotsa photos. The main focus is naturally on the gold gilded building that sits serenely in its cosy spot by the lake.
All in, I'd say Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』 is nice but it's not my favourite temple.
After visiting Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』, we went over to Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』and they also have a talisman admission ticket! So now I have two :D
In a way, Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』 is complementary to Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』 in that one is gold (Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』) and the other is silver (Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』). As such, that pretty much means that the best way to enjoy them is go to both of them! The actual Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』, however, is pretty nondescript. In fact, we walked right past it on the way in and didn't even notice it. We only noticed it when we went up the hillsides and were looking down on the temple grounds when we noticed something that was large and... well, not all that silver.
There was a lovely bamboo grove there. I think pandas would love it here. Of course, we had to go to the shops on temple grounds as well. Cannot miss that!
After leaving Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』, we went to grab lunch in one of the shops nearby. The owners don't speak much English, but they will bring you out to the display so you can point to them what you want. It's really nice and fun to be able to get your point across without even speaking a word.
I ordered a Tendon. Not a tendon (like muscle and stuff) mind you, but a rice bowl with prawns.
After that it was too late to get ourselves to Kiyomizudera, and so we decided to take a bus to JR Kyoto stations. We all knocked out on the bus and slept through our stop and almost ended up back at Kinkakuji! We hopped off the bus and took the subway instead. The trusty trusty subway. I always feel more comfortable with it than with buses. The subway is pretty fixed. You know pretty much where it goes. The bus? I just don't feel as comfy on it.
We wanted to get to the JR Kyoto Station so that we could have dinner at Wako that is situated in the restaurant area of Isetan JR Kyoto. I like this place. They serve nice portions of food that are delicious and yet affordable. A set meal costs around SGD 20. On the way up to the restaurant, we stopped and spent time admiring the steps that were lighted up in animation. It's really pretty.
At Wako, all three of us went for the same set meal, cos it has a buttload of stuff to try! It has prawn tempura, fried chicken, crabmeat croquette, chawanmushi, free flow rice, salad, tea and soup which has tiny little shells in it! Needless to say, the food was quite good!
After dinner, we passed by a pillar advertising Loft. Loft is a shop that sells lifestyle and household items. The Ikebukuro branch sells craft items, so I am so excited to be able to go to a Loft in Kyoto (Hadn't been to the one in Tokyo!) especially since it doesn't seem very far away from our hotel. Tomorrow~!!
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As Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』 and Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』 are on opposing sides of Kyoto, we decided on going to Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』 first as Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』 was nearer to Kiyomizudera 『清水寺』. First things first, we bought ourselves the 2 day Kyoto Bus and Subway pass for 2000 JPY each. This would allow us to take unlimited rides subway and city buses within the 220 JPY fare zone. A 1 day version of this pass is also available at 1200 JPY.
We boarded the bus to Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』 and if you are planning to come here but are worried that you will get lost on the bus systems, you do not have to worry. The buses are equipped with large monitors at the front, which show you the name of the next stop. The announcements for the next stop also go off frequently. In addition, if there is a major tourist location, or a connection to the subway, the announcement will also be made in English. You do not have to worry about language.
We got off at the announced stop and proceeded to pay our dues (bought ourselves the admission ticket). The admission ticket comes in the form of a talisman. Really cool!
After visiting Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』, we went over to Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』and they also have a talisman admission ticket! So now I have two :D
In a way, Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』 is complementary to Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』 in that one is gold (Kinkakuji 『金閣寺』) and the other is silver (Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』). As such, that pretty much means that the best way to enjoy them is go to both of them! The actual Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』, however, is pretty nondescript. In fact, we walked right past it on the way in and didn't even notice it. We only noticed it when we went up the hillsides and were looking down on the temple grounds when we noticed something that was large and... well, not all that silver.
There was a lovely bamboo grove there. I think pandas would love it here. Of course, we had to go to the shops on temple grounds as well. Cannot miss that!
After leaving Ginkakuji 『銀閣寺』, we went to grab lunch in one of the shops nearby. The owners don't speak much English, but they will bring you out to the display so you can point to them what you want. It's really nice and fun to be able to get your point across without even speaking a word.
I ordered a Tendon. Not a tendon (like muscle and stuff) mind you, but a rice bowl with prawns.
We wanted to get to the JR Kyoto Station so that we could have dinner at Wako that is situated in the restaurant area of Isetan JR Kyoto. I like this place. They serve nice portions of food that are delicious and yet affordable. A set meal costs around SGD 20. On the way up to the restaurant, we stopped and spent time admiring the steps that were lighted up in animation. It's really pretty.
At Wako, all three of us went for the same set meal, cos it has a buttload of stuff to try! It has prawn tempura, fried chicken, crabmeat croquette, chawanmushi, free flow rice, salad, tea and soup which has tiny little shells in it! Needless to say, the food was quite good!
After dinner, we passed by a pillar advertising Loft. Loft is a shop that sells lifestyle and household items. The Ikebukuro branch sells craft items, so I am so excited to be able to go to a Loft in Kyoto (Hadn't been to the one in Tokyo!) especially since it doesn't seem very far away from our hotel. Tomorrow~!!
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