Travel Highlight – Kyoto (Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, Yasaka Shrine & Shijo Dori)
After a two-night stay in Nara, it was time to say goodbye to Mayumi, our host in Nara. After breakfast, we left Nara and headed to Kyoto, which was Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years. It takes 2 hours 40 minutes by Shinkasen from Tokyo to Kyoto.
We started our tour of the Kyoto city in Arashiyama district. Across a river, a long wooden overhead bridge linked the area to a Japanese temple and as it was drizzling, we did not cross the bridge to explore the surrounding places there. Instead, we took the opposite direction and walked along a row of traditional shops promoting all sorts of souvenirs, food and handicraft items. We visited a Japanese temple (Tien Long Sze) nearby and took a few pictures of the religious stone carvings inside the temple. We had lunch at Arashiyama. I paid Y800 (RM26) for a bowl of ramen noodles with a chunk of fish in it. – The fish tasted great and I really enjoyed this meal.
After the lunch, we continued our stroll in Arashiyama and visited a Japanese bamboo garden. Both side of the small road were lined with tall green bamboo plants, a rare sight for us to take a group picture. We also visited a number of calligraphy shops, handicrafts centre. I paid Y100 (RM3) to sit beside a Geisha and took a picture of it.
After a two-night stay in Nara, it was time to say goodbye to Mayumi, our host in Nara. After breakfast, we left Nara and headed to Kyoto, which was Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years. It takes 2 hours 40 minutes by Shinkasen from Tokyo to Kyoto.
We started our tour of the Kyoto city in Arashiyama district. Across a river, a long wooden overhead bridge linked the area to a Japanese temple and as it was drizzling, we did not cross the bridge to explore the surrounding places there. Instead, we took the opposite direction and walked along a row of traditional shops promoting all sorts of souvenirs, food and handicraft items. We visited a Japanese temple (Tien Long Sze) nearby and took a few pictures of the religious stone carvings inside the temple. We had lunch at Arashiyama. I paid Y800 (RM26) for a bowl of ramen noodles with a chunk of fish in it. – The fish tasted great and I really enjoyed this meal.
After the lunch, we continued our stroll in Arashiyama and visited a Japanese bamboo garden. Both side of the small road were lined with tall green bamboo plants, a rare sight for us to take a group picture. We also visited a number of calligraphy shops, handicrafts centre. I paid Y100 (RM3) to sit beside a Geisha and took a picture of it.
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The highlight of today’s tour was a visit to the Nijo Castle, the official residence of the Tokugawa shogun. This castle was built in 1603 using the Momoyama architecture of the Edo period. The castle celebrated their 400’s anniversary in 2003 and was designated as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.
We paid Y600 (RM19) for admission fee. Inside the castle, we visited the Ninomaru palace and garden. As we entered the palace building, we were fascinated by the unique wooden carving on the façade, which was decorated with pictures of phoenixes, floral, plants etc. we had to take off our shoes before entering the palace. It took about 30 minutes for us to tour and pass through the corridor to catch a glimpse of the eleven rooms in the Nimomaru Palace. No photography was allowed inside the Ninomaru Palace. As we passed the corridor, we could hear the squeaking sound of the floor. These open and spacious rooms had specific functions and in the old days, all officials had to follow strict protocol when the feudal lords paid their tributes to Shogun in this palace.
Each of the rooms has large wall ink paintings of pine tree, eagle, tiger etc. The first two rooms we passed were called the Willow and Young Pine room. These two rooms were used as waiting rooms for visiting feudal lords. Next we came to the three Reception rooms where feudal lords handed their gifts to the Shogun. We continued our tour and passed the 3rd, 2nd and 1st Grand rooms, Inner Audience Chamber, Shogun’s living quarters, Minister’s offices and the last was the Imperial Messenger’s room. Room No 6 (1st Grand Room) is the most important one in the history of Tokugawa shogun.
In Oct 1867, it was in this room where the shogun summoned all the feudal lords to declare sovereignty to the Emperor. This was also the room where nearly 270 years of Tokugawa military rule came to an end.
At the Ninomaru garden, we took a group picture with two female palace guides, dressed in traditional Kimono costume.
We paid Y600 (RM19) for admission fee. Inside the castle, we visited the Ninomaru palace and garden. As we entered the palace building, we were fascinated by the unique wooden carving on the façade, which was decorated with pictures of phoenixes, floral, plants etc. we had to take off our shoes before entering the palace. It took about 30 minutes for us to tour and pass through the corridor to catch a glimpse of the eleven rooms in the Nimomaru Palace. No photography was allowed inside the Ninomaru Palace. As we passed the corridor, we could hear the squeaking sound of the floor. These open and spacious rooms had specific functions and in the old days, all officials had to follow strict protocol when the feudal lords paid their tributes to Shogun in this palace.
Each of the rooms has large wall ink paintings of pine tree, eagle, tiger etc. The first two rooms we passed were called the Willow and Young Pine room. These two rooms were used as waiting rooms for visiting feudal lords. Next we came to the three Reception rooms where feudal lords handed their gifts to the Shogun. We continued our tour and passed the 3rd, 2nd and 1st Grand rooms, Inner Audience Chamber, Shogun’s living quarters, Minister’s offices and the last was the Imperial Messenger’s room. Room No 6 (1st Grand Room) is the most important one in the history of Tokugawa shogun.
In Oct 1867, it was in this room where the shogun summoned all the feudal lords to declare sovereignty to the Emperor. This was also the room where nearly 270 years of Tokugawa military rule came to an end.
At the Ninomaru garden, we took a group picture with two female palace guides, dressed in traditional Kimono costume.
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In the late afternoon, Mochan drove us to visit a Japanese temple (Man Tien Kong) and the colorful Heian – Jingu, a popular shrine in Kyoto. In the evening, we had the opportunity to see Kyoto by night and spent our time doing window-shopping at Shijo Dori. I bought a pack of sushi for Y260 (RM8.30) from a nearby mini market to keep my stomach happy. I also took the opportunity to visit Yasaka shrine, though it was drizzling at night.
We departed Kyoto at around 9.00pm and began our long drive back to Shizouka. We arrived in the early morning in Shimizu at around 02.30 – well passed our sleeping time! Mochan, I really had to salute you for driving us safely back to your house at such a wee hour of the morning!
Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: “I am thankful for … (Mochan)”. Today, I accomplishe ... (Mochan’s Japan Highlight Bus trip to Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Ninja Village, Nara, Kyoto and so on – isn’t it amazing! )
We departed Kyoto at around 9.00pm and began our long drive back to Shizouka. We arrived in the early morning in Shimizu at around 02.30 – well passed our sleeping time! Mochan, I really had to salute you for driving us safely back to your house at such a wee hour of the morning!
Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: “I am thankful for … (Mochan)”. Today, I accomplishe ... (Mochan’s Japan Highlight Bus trip to Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Ninja Village, Nara, Kyoto and so on – isn’t it amazing! )
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