Haven't written about my Japan trip for a very long time due to busyness and work commitments. Today, I felt glad that I can finally blog about the 4th day of my Japan trip as a continuation of my Japan trip blogs after a few weeks hiatus.
About the day (7th March)
Today, is my second full day in Kyoto. I went to the Nishiki Market for breakfast. Then, I went to explore the Kawamachi area and the Takashimaya with the Nintendo store. Next, I went to the Gion area and Kiyomizudera. From Kiyomizudera, I went to a ramen place in Gion for lunch and shopping at the Edion Department Store before heading back to buy takeaway to my hotel.
Nishiki Market
First things first, for morning breakfast, I went to the nearby coffee shop (Kanno Cafe) to eat before exploring the Nishiki Market. The Nishiki Market is known as the "Kitchen of Kyoto" because it is a street of shops and restaurants selling various kinds of food stuffs like sashimi and pickled vegetables. There is also a Snoopy themed cafe and shop.
Kawaramachi
After exploring the Nishiki Market, I went to the surrounding Kawaramachi area for further exploration. I went to the Takashimaya Department Store, which is a multi-storey department store with a Tsutaya Department Store and a Nintendo Kyoto Store. At the Nintendo Kyoto Store, I bought a Mario notebook at 715 yen, which is around US$4.65 or SG$6.43.
Floor Guide of Takashimaya Kyoto
part of Tsutaya Department Store in Takashimaya
Receipt of my purchase of the notebook.
At the back of the receipt, there is a uniquely printed pattern of items in the Super Mario game series,
Entrance of Tohka Saikan Main Shop (東華菜館 本店), a Beijing cuisine restaurant located in a unique Ornate building with stone and wood carvings, especially at the entrance. Also, this building is also home to Japan's first elevator.
The Shijoo Bridge to Gion in the afternoon
Kamo-gawa river from the Shijyo Bridge
Gion
Next, to get to Gion from Kawaramachi, I walked along the Shijo Bridge that strands both sides of the Kamogawa river. Upon arriving at Gion, the first building that I saw is the Minamiza theater, which is the main kabuki theater in Kyoto.
Kabuki is a classical form of Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with traditional dance. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylised performances, its glamorous, highly decorated costumes, and for the elaborate kumadori make-up worn by some of its performers. -Wikipedia
Gion is well known for being a geisha district. It is located on the east side of the Kamogawa river while Kawaramachi is located on the west side.
Geisha (芸者) (/ˈɡeɪʃə/; Japanese: [ɡeːɕa]), also known as geiko (芸子) (in Kyoto and Kanazawa) or geigi (芸妓), are female Japanese performing artists and entertainers trained in traditional Japanese performing arts styles, such as dance, music and singing, as well as being proficient conversationalists and hosts. -Wikipedia
Minamiza Theater
Yojiya at Gion. Yojiya is a manufacturer of the blotting paper used by Geishas and its products are also popular among tourists as some form of Kyoto souvenirs.
Kiyomizu-dera temple
As time still permits, we proceeded to Kiyomizu-dera temple via exploring the Ninenzaka and Sananzaka. Kiyomizu-dera is a 1200-something years old Buddhist temple that is famous for its 13 meter tall Kiyomizu stage, as well as its views of the city and the trees below. In the spring, there will be sakura while in the winter there will be maple leaves. Like other popular must-see sights, the area surrounding the Kiyomizu-dera temple can get quite crowded easily, to the point where there is over tourism as local grapples with crowds.
There are souvenir shops along the Sannenzaka selling various items like pottery, fans and tea sets.
Okutan, a famous tofu restaurant specializing in tofu set meals and offer garden views to its diners. Unfortunately, it was closed when we were there.
Main entrance to Kiyomizu-dera
Three storied pagoda
View from the main hall's wooden stage towards the Okunoin Hall and the surrounding hills.
Torii gates
View of the main stage from the Okuno-in hall.
View of the main stage from the Okuno-in hall.
The main stage like in those photos found in guidebooks.
Mario soft toy admiring the views xD
View from the bottom
Otowa Waterfall with Okunoin Hall in the background. At the waterfall, visitors can drink using cups attached to long poles. It is said that the three different streams of water offers three different benefits, such as longevity, success at school and a fortunate love life. However, it is culturally seen as greedy if one is to drink from all three streams.
The main stage when seen from the bottom
Kamo River
After exiting from the temple, we went to have a snack at a place called Kirakuan Okamoto Gojozaka before going to explore the Kamo-gawa river. Kamo River is a river that runs through the city of Kyoto. There, visitors can just relax while enjoying the water flowing along the river, as well as views of the shophouses. One common sight along the river is Ponto-cho, a nightlife district located in Gion that is home to numerous restaurants where diners can enjoy their meals via temporary open-air platforms called kawayuka. Ponto-cho's location in Kyoto is like Clarke Quay's location along the Singapore River.
Going back to Gion
Kimchi Ramen lunch at Kamukura Gion
Menu of Kamukura (screenshots of website with Google translated English)
*Some products may not be available at some stores.
Restaurant advert at Edion Kawaramachi
Shopping at Edion Kawaramachi
Back to my hotel at Kyoto Station area via the Hankyu Kyoto Line local train and the Karasuma Subway Line.
Wagashi bought at Kyoto Station Isetan together with dinner for takeaway back to hotel.
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