Kyoto-fu Travel Blogs, Travelogues and Travel Journals

Oh my gosh, how much fun did I have?!I'm finally back to the previous place, feels good. So many things to write, where should I even start? So basically the only bright side of staying at Green Peace was meeting this guy called Sasuke aka Robin. He's kind of a male version of myself. He's Swedish and we became drinking mates! Thanks to him not only did I got the chance to make up for over 2 weeks of abstinence but also I can cross out one of the things of my list, but let me tell you the wh…

It takes only 36 minutes from Nagoya to Kyoto by fastest bullet train, Nozomi. Though Kyoto is not so far from Nagoya, I visited the sights of Kyoto for the first time in 13 years.  Kyoto station has changed very much. What a modern building it is! I met Portia and her husband Kevin at the hotel lobby they stayed.  I had not decided where to go, but they had planned it already. I haven't read my guidebook at all, but Kevin have read a guideboo…

The last day in Kyoto was a rainy one. As far as the weather goes, we were pretty lucky because it hadn't rained up to this point despite the fact that it was the rainy season. So, four days into our trip, finally we had rain. We borrowed umbrellas at hotel, and we headed out in rain for Kiyomizu Temple. We got off a bus at the bottom of Gojo-zaka. Kiyomizu Temple is at the top of a hill, and there are several narrow streets leading up to it. These streets are lined with color…

A few days ago we went to Kyoto and reported on the crowds and traffic. It was crazy busy. Well, turns out that was nothing. That was a weekday. You should see it on a Saturday! We decided to try out the Shinkansen bullet train, which smoothly whisked us from Osaka to Kyoto in less than 15 minutes. Nice! However, all speed gains were frittered away in the subsequent cab ride. Stop and go, stop and go ... all the way to Kiyomizu temple, which isn't that far but took a very long time to reach.…

It was time to leave Karasuma Hotel. It was time to leave Kyoto. Ibu Miyo told us to pack our big suitcases to be sent to Tokyo. The small ones could be brought to our next visit. We were going to Nara, Kobe, and Osaka. We would stay at Kobe and Osaka. From Osaka we would go to Tokyo. Tokyo would be the last city. We would depart from Narita International Airport. So, it was goodbye for Kyoto. Before we departed, I took a chance to take pictures at the hotel. Sayonara Kyoto...

Our main goal today was to see the Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle. It was raining and we even bought another umbrella so we won't get too wet. The subway in Kyoto only goes north and south, and we had to transfer to a bus. But the instructions on getting to the Golden Pavilion was easy enough to follow, so we got there pretty easily. However, it was definitely raining as we walked toward the entrance. Even so, there were a lot of visitors!The Golden Pavilion we saw was rebuilt after a file i…

We went to bed early last night but we couldn't sleep because our room was freezing!!The heater was above our head and it was 19c. Usually 19c is fine but it was way too cold that I turned up to 23c. Started to get warmer a couple of hours later and it was early morning. We were gonna see Amanda at 10am but we needed other 1 hour sleep.. sorry Amanda..What a great day it was!! Very warm and very sunny!!! Great day to go sightseeing :)We went to Sanjusangendo temple. It was very cool but we co…

My mother applied to join tea ceremony party, and it fell on us! So my mother and I went to Kyoto to join the party. oh, we don't do tea ceremony:P It was on 23rd, and maple trees are at their best now, so it was good timing! The tea ceremony party was hosted by Santory Iyemon. http://www.suntory.com/iyemon_cha/index.html We could see Kyomai (Maiko dancing). and they did tea-serving manners. after that, we could entered 'Gion-kaku' tower.  This tower is in Daiunin temple. It was built…

Mt. Hiei is famous for Enryakuji( Enryaku temple). It was built there long time ago, and it used to have a big power to influence people in a view of religious as well as politics. Temples are painted very beautiful vermilion. Enryakuji is not a name of one temple. It consists of two areas, the west and east tower. It seemed that it was built at the middle of the mountain, and I did not have time to get to the top. It took me half a day to walk around the te…

The Japanese breakfast served each morning at the ryokan was an immediate hit. It included miso soup, varieties of fish, rice, and a seaweed wafer. (I was really acquiring a taste for the the seaweed wafers [Nori].) Breakfast also had Western influences, including an omelet and a grapefruit half.   The group decided to venture to a monthly temple flea market. We rode a city bus to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine where the flea market was in progress. Vendors had stalls…

the start of the journey around asia 2007/08

Here are some pictures of my trip to Japan from 15 August - 21 August 2007.

Hehe...I wanted to experience whats it's like to wear kimono and with the geisha makeup. My friend helped me to book an appointment at the studio which will need 1 day in advance. There was a promotion in the magazine that costs me 5000 yen with 1 photo and selected kiminos to choose from. The whole entire photo shooting, makeup and kimono wearing only takes 1 hour plus. The staffs in the studio are friendly and knows how to speak english. I was pretty satisfied with the service and enjoyed t…

It's a Thursday, what a day to have off, my wife is at work, my son is a t kindergarten, my friends are also working, what am I going to do. Wait a minute, a thought just came to my head everyone is at work why don't I visit a shrine. I had always wanted to go to Fushimi Inari shrine, so this was a great opportunity to see a sight without the Japanese tourists. I took the train and when I exited through the wickets I could see the huge tori gate(shrine gate)of Fushimi Inari shrines. The gate…

Geisha compared to Maiko are less flamboyant. The kimono of the Geisha is usually of a subtle single colour with a design sweeping up from the hem, based on scenes of nature or traditional Japanese themes, in accordance with the seasons. Similarly the obi of the Geisha is more subtle and often a single colour brocade with minimalist obi belts and brooches. Maiko are easily recognised by their attire. In the Japanese way, as young girls before they become women, the dress of the Maiko is more…