On the 3rd day of our stay in Kyoto, our plan included visits to Ginkakuji, Kinkakuji, Nijojo, and Eikando. Most of the shrines, temples, and historical sites around Kyoto closed as early as 4.30 p.m. If you want to squeeze in as many visits as possible, you have to stumble out of bed at the crack of dawn.
Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion)
As usual, after bought our Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass, we hopped onto a bus from Kyoto Station heading to Ginkakuji Temple. Take bus numbered 5, 17 or 100, from Kyoto Station main bus station and get down at Ginkakuji-michi bus stop.
While walking towards the Ginkakuji, many shops were just opened for business, and some were even closed. This was a shop selling all kinds of pickles. Pickles are widely sold in Kyoto, almost anywhere and everywhere.
The temple opens from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m...entrance ticket 500 yen per person. We were 15 minutes earlier. You can see a few others who were even earlier than us! So we waited and wandered around at the main entrance....the weather was cool and crisp with comfortable coldness.
A kind Japanese uncle offered to take a photograph of us against the beautiful autumn backdrop.
The fall of the autumn.....
The Ginkakuji which stood in the middle of a pond. It was originally called as Kannon-den. Ginkakuji is a national treasure and one of the World Cultural Heritage sites, with its first floor named as Shinku-den built in traditional Japanese residential architecture style whereas the second level, Cho-onkaku, influenced by Chinese temple architecture.
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
Next, we moved on to Kinkakuji. From Ginkakuji-michi bus stop, you can either take bus number 102 or 204, and get down at Kinkakuji-michi bus stop. It opens from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with entrance ticket 400 yen per person.
The main entrance of Kinkakuji. A lot of students were on school excursions, could be seen around Kyoto historical sites throughout our visit.
Kinkakuji is a Buddhist hall with relics of Buddha. It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. The top 2 level of the Kinkakuji structure are covered with gold foil and there is a shining phoenix standing on top of the shingled roof. Left picture: The entrance tickets to Kinkakuji.
The reflection of Kinkakuji golden image together with small islands of rock and pine, reflects beautifully in the water of Kyokochi, which is known as the mirror pond. It gives an enchanting effect in the photography and a must-see place in Kyoto.
Took a couple shot with magnificent view of fiery maple leaves adorned the greenery with swatches of colour and the landscaped pond.
The striking glow of Kinkakuji (golden pavilion) under the brightly shone sun.
People tossing coins at the rock statues for luck....
Fudo-do, which houses a stone statue of the Buddhist Deity Fudo-myo-o. The statue is hidden from public view, but it was said that many believe and agreed with its miraculous power.
While we strolled leisurely in the untamed beauty of nature around Kinkakuji, a sudden whiff of sweet smelling roasted chestnut made our tummies rumbled. We stopped over to get some, and the size of the chestnuts were amazingly huge.....and the taste were far even better, sweet! Why everything in Japan is so damn GOOD! I miss Japan...sob..sob..Can't wait for my coming summer holiday in Tokyo! Yay!!
The word 'BIG' in Chinese character on the hilltop overlooking Kinkakuji, seen from afar.
Nijojo opens from 8.45 a.m. to 5 p.m. with entrance ticket 600 yen per person. From Kinkakuji-michi bus stop, you can either take bus number 12 or 101, and stop at Nijojo-mae bus stop. As it was lunch time, we decided to have our lunch first before proceed with the visit. Hence, after getting down from the bus, we walked to the nearby Kyoto Kokusai Hotel, which is located just across the road, opposite of Nijojo. Saw the restaurant below, and we went in to have our lunch fix.
As for me, I had stewed beef with sashimi rice set, of course the set came with pickles too. As I have told you, in Kyoto, eating pickles is a kind of their culture thing. Though hubby dislikes pickles!
Done with the simple lunch, which costed 4800 yen for two, we got our entrance tickets from the counter.
The Nijojo castle was first built in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu. It is a symbol of finest building design, lavish paintings, and carvings of early Edo period in Japan. The castle was then designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
The Chinese style, Karamon Gate, leading to Ninomaru Palace, which was under construction at that time. Below is just a picture which I took with my camera.
Posing in front of Ninomaru Palace, which served as residence and office of the shogun who visited Kyoto. The elegant yet simple architectural style palace consists of several separate buildings that are connected by corridors, known as nightingale floors, which literally because the floors squeak and somewhat produce a tune when being stepped which act as a security measure against intruders. The palace rooms are tatami mat-covered with creatively designed ceilings and artistically painted sliding doors.
Honmaru Palace
School excursion with a group of students in uniform.
Large area of the castle grounds are covered with maple and other trees that showcase magnificent autumn colours which normally takes place in mid-November.
There was a stretch of stalls selling light snacks and souvenirs. You can rest your tired feet after a long walk around Nijojo. Most of them were students who lingered around, looking for knick-knacks and souvenirs.
Eikando Zenrin-Ji Temple
The nearest bus stop is Eikando-michi, its can be reached by bus number 5 from Kyoto Station. When we reached there, it started to drizzle but it stopped after a while. I wore my poncho raincoat which was in sweet pastel purple. Eikando is famous during autumn, in fact one of the most visited places in Kyoto for its autumn charm.
Eikando is opened for visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with entrance ticket 600 yen per person. In November, during autumn, there's night illumination when the gardens will be opened from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
The Hojo Pond which will be lit up at night during autumn.
The picture perfect autumn landscape of Eikando.
Please do respect the praying ground in Zenrinji temple, which was said there was once a popular head priest named Eikan. Hence the temple was then named after him as Eikando. One can immerse in the tranquility of nature and in a peace of mind. Chanting and praying were heard echoing the place. We tip-toed softly so as not to disturb others.
The picnic ground where benches were set up for autumn admiration in November.
The autumn at its peak...many maple leaves in Eikando had reached its finest red hues.
Just before the sun started to dip, we took a bus back to Kyoto Station.
We scouted the vicinity a little, before we came to this restaurant which was not very far from our hotel.
The outside view of the restaurant.
As usual, we had a bottle of cold sake each to wash down our Japanese dinner. First, stewed yuba which was made from tofu skin, a popular eat in Kyoto.
Clam clear soup and grilled fresh scallop with enoki mushroom.
Fresh salmon belly sashimi
Raw sweet prawn....love the crunchy and firm testure!
Ebi tempura...and me looking satisfied with my meal!
More sashimi and uni sushi, with sea-salt grilled topshells.
Grilled cod fish
Topshell sushi and others to satisfy our craving!
And...more!!! The whole dinner spread cost us ONLY 16980 yen which is about SGD200, damn cheap!...I mean if compare to the freshness and amount which we have in Singapore, the price can easily fetch more than SGD500. Must stuffed ourselves to the hearts' content!
Please stay tune for Day 4!
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