*Do buy the Kyoto one day bus pass for 500 Yen if you plan to take more than 2 trips by bus. Each trip is 220yen! The ticket can be purchased at the tourist information centre at Kyoto Station.
We went for the Kyoto Imperial Palace Tour.
The tourguide started the tour by telling us that interestingly we came in through the slave's gate and who knows in the future we might enter from a different gate! The paintings of the cherry blossom, crane and tiger, represented 3 different rooms in which nobles of different ranks in the past were ushered into. The cherry blossom room was for the lowest ranking nobles while the tiger room was for the highest ranking nobles. At the top right hand corner is a famous painting which depicts a poem competition and sake is floated down the river on little boats as a reward for the first person to complete the poem. Below it is a picture of the emperor's schedule for the year! The palace roofs are nailed together using wooden nails and the palace achitecture is a mix of old and new. With the old sections having wooden floors and the newer sections having tatami mats and sliding doors.
To attend the tour a permit needs to be obtained from the Imperial Household Agency : https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/
Next we popped by Nashinoki Jinka - which is at the East Side of the Imperial Palace.
Opening Hours : 9am - 5.30pm
Address: 690 Somedono Teramachi Dori Hirokoji-agaru, Kamigyo-Ku, Kyoto City.
Ask the locals(especially middle age ladies) if you are lost. They should be able to tell you how to get to the Shrine.
The picture with all the bikes outside shows the entrance which we entered from.
What is so special about this shrine is that there is a famous spring located on its grounds. The spring is the only one of the three famous springs from former times which is still in operation! It is believe that if you rub the tree infront of the spring you will obtain love <3>
We had lunch at Honke Owariya a 540 Year Old Soba Restaurant
Here we experienced something which we have not tried back home! After we finished the soba, the waitress came round with a pot of hot water in which the soba was boiled and told us to pour the water into the dipping sauce and drink it up! It tasted like salty, spicy soup!
Here is the webpage in English : http://www.honke-owariya.co.jp/
The location is near to the imperial palace, so it is a good rest place to stop for lunch or dinner!
Last stop - Golden Pavillion
Day 10
Arashiyama & Kameoka
Getting there: Take the JR Sagano Line to Saga Arashiyama
Take my advice try not to go to Arashiyama in Summer, unless you LOVE the Sun! The mid-day sun makes the land too hot! Instead of strolling through the lush hilly region and enjoying the scenary. My day trip there felt like a race! Instead of racing against time we were racing against the morning heat! The heat was simply unbearable! I am used to hot weather as I am a true blue born and bred tropical girl but even with the umbrella as my shield the heat was a killer!
while walking to Togetsukyo we caught sight of the Locals fishing!
First stop Togetsukyo - A Wooden Bridge, you might want to consider visiting the temples on the hill at the end of the Bridge!
I tried Shinpschijaya (Cherry Blossom Rice Cake Ice Cream) from the shop right across the Bridge. It is easy to identify the shop as it has 5 life-size plastic cones outside it! There is a first and last time for everything! That was my first time trying Shinpschijaya and that will be my last time! It has an acquired taste and even after I finished the cup I still did not acquire the taste!
Next we stopped at Okochi Sanso Villa. From the top of the hill it gave us a spectacular view from its grounds. If the weather is not too cloudy, according to the sign board, you should be able to see Kyoto Towers! We didn't manage to locate Kyoto Towers but we spotted a Geyser in the distance.
Next to the villa was a path that lead us through the Bamboo Forest and I spotted a craftsman who folded bamboo leaf grasshoppers for a living! Here is a snapshot of a happy elderly couple who are the proud owners of four bamboo leaf grasshoppers!
Next Stop off to JR Kameoka Station.
A beautiful colourful bus stop at kameoka! Hair Clips in your son's hair, how will you react? Trust me it is the in-thing, as I remembered that terence used to paint his nails black and wear a hairband then :P
Day 11 - Hikone Castle
A Technological Exhibition in the Castle Grounds! The Dino is so adorable! It is extremely sensitive to touch, so when you carry it and pat it, it will go to sleep! It is just like a pet, but it is more obedient and hassle free!
the Main Building of Hikone Castle. Visitors are allowed to climb to the top, but do becareful as the steps are very steep, so cling on to the sides! It is a good physical work out! By the time I reached the top I was panting and I felt a huge relief when I reached the ground!
The Mascot of Hikone! When the Mascot came out the crowd went wild. I could hear both children and adults alike screaming Kawaii! Not only was the mascot a hit among the young but also a hit among the matured crowd - I caught many of them lining up to shake its hand!
The Gardens
We caught sight of the new Mascot of Hikone! Did you???
The Locals recommended this restaurant! It is called KIYARA. It serves Ohmi Beef, which is the beef the region is famous for. The restaurant is along the castle road. Upon entering the curtains, you will find seats lining the pathway. Even if there is a queue, enter the restaurant and inform the waitress that you want to join the queue. She will hand you a clipboard for you to write your name and the number of people eating. Then wait in line for your turn! She will call you when it is your turn! You must try Sukiyaki there!
Next to the villa was a path that lead us through the Bamboo Forest and I spotted a craftsman who folded bamboo leaf grasshoppers for a living! Here is a snapshot of a happy elderly couple who are the proud owners of four bamboo leaf grasshoppers! Next Stop off to JR Kameoka Station.When you arrive at Kameoka Station, do visit the hot spring information centre at the station to enquire about the timing of the hotel bus to Kameoka Heights Hot Spring. The service is free even for non staying guest! The Hot Spring cost 600 Yen and you can purchase the ticket from the reception!
For first timers here is a little advice, so you won't make the mistakes I did! Find a locker to lock your clothes and put your shoes on to the rack! Don't be a shua ku like me :P and wrap yourself in the huge towel to enter the hotspring area! Do wash your body & hair prior to entering the hot spring kindly bring only a small towel in. Do not stay inside for too long or you will end up looking like a wrinkled prune and you might get a headache from the heat! Trust me no one will look at you, unless you stare at them! What you have they have, so they won't look at you! If you want smooth baby skin it is well worth the experience!
* do bring your own towel to dry yourself if you don't plan to purchase a towel there!
* make sure you do not miss the last bus or you will have to pay for busfare back to the station!
A beautiful colourful bus stop at kameoka! Hair Clips in your son's hair, how will you react? Trust me it is the in-thing, as I remembered that terence used to paint his nails black and wear a hairband then :P
Day 11 - Hikone Castle
A Technological Exhibition in the Castle Grounds! The Dino is so adorable! It is extremely sensitive to touch, so when you carry it and pat it, it will go to sleep! It is just like a pet, but it is more obedient and hassle free!the Main Building of Hikone Castle. Visitors are allowed to climb to the top, but do becareful as the steps are very steep, so cling on to the sides! It is a good physical work out! By the time I reached the top I was panting and I felt a huge relief when I reached the ground!
The Mascot of Hikone! When the Mascot came out the crowd went wild. I could hear both children and adults alike screaming Kawaii! Not only was the mascot a hit among the young but also a hit among the matured crowd - I caught many of them lining up to shake its hand!
The Gardens
We caught sight of the new Mascot of Hikone! Did you???
The Locals recommended this restaurant! It is called KIYARA. It serves Ohmi Beef, which is the beef the region is famous for. The restaurant is along the castle road. Upon entering the curtains, you will find seats lining the pathway. Even if there is a queue, enter the restaurant and inform the waitress that you want to join the queue. She will hand you a clipboard for you to write your name and the number of people eating. Then wait in line for your turn! She will call you when it is your turn! You must try Sukiyaki there!
