After Fuji, we went to the land of countless temples and shrines, Kyoto, also the former capital of Japan. The people in Kyoto said, "Even if you visit a temple/shrine a day in Kyoto, you still cannot finish all the temples/shrines in a year". This is true because there are over thousands of temples/shrines in Kyoto itself.
The most efficient and comfortable way to get from Fuji to Kyoto is to take a Shinkansen also known as the Bullet Train. It was my first time trying out Shinkansen and the experience was great. Personally I would prefer Shinkansen over domestic flight.
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| Shinkansen aka the Bullet Train |
First stop, we visited Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a Buddhist temple located in the eastern side of Kyoto. This temple is well known for their wooden stage because it was built without using a single nail. And most of the people also come here for Otowa Waterfall where they can drink for good health and success.
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| Torii of Jishu-jinja, A Matchmaking Shrine |
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| A Bell Tower |
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| A view from the Wooden Stage |
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| Otowa-no-taki, the waterfall where visitors drink for good health and success |
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| Wishes written on the small wooden plaques |
When you are in Kyoto, chances of bumping into Geisha and Maiko is quite high; be it in the Geisha district, Gion or the temples around. When we wandered around Kiyomizu-dera Temple, we managed to see some Maiko walking around taking picture with the tourists.
Last stop of the day, we went to Heian Shrine, a shrine which was built for the 1100th anniversary of Heian-Kyo (meaning Peace and Tranquility Captial), now known as Kyoto. Do approach the shrine by walking along Jingu-michi Street, and you will be welcomed by a huge vermilion Torii Gate.
Calling it a day, we moved on to Osaka and stayed there for a night as the following day we went on to explore Nara and Osaka.
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| A Portrait of Maiko |
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| Maiko posing in front of the cameras |
Last stop of the day, we went to Heian Shrine, a shrine which was built for the 1100th anniversary of Heian-Kyo (meaning Peace and Tranquility Captial), now known as Kyoto. Do approach the shrine by walking along Jingu-michi Street, and you will be welcomed by a huge vermilion Torii Gate.
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| Daigokuden - The main hall of Heian Shrine |
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| Ōtenmon - The main gate of Heian shrine |
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| The Sake Barrels |
Calling it a day, we moved on to Osaka and stayed there for a night as the following day we went on to explore Nara and Osaka.
Shinkansen (新幹線) = High Speed Train/Bullet Train
Ema (絵馬) = a small wooden plaque
Geisha (芸者) = a traditional Japanese female entertainer
Maiko (舞妓) = a dancer also an apprentice Geiko
:::::::::: What We Saw ::::::::::
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Address: 294 Kiyomizu 1-chome Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862 Japan
Location: Click Here for Map
Year visited: 2006
Heian Shrine
Address: Okazaki Nishitennocho Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8341 Japan
Location: Click Here for Map
Getting There: Alight at Subway Higashiyama Station >> Walk >> Heian Shrine
Year visited: 2006
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Following Trip: 2008 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Written by: Q.J.
Photography by: Q.J.