Go forward a day (coming soon) >
** NB: My photo allowance on wordpress is already getting a tad tight, so am trying out embedding images with HTML code – bear with me if it looks a bit odd! **
Today was a bit mixed weather wise but that didn’t put us off, we were mountain climbers now see.
With that in mind, and our new knowledge of how simple the buses were, we jumped onto one headed for Kinkakuji temple – the golden one on a pond. Pretty symbolic of Kyoto and I was desperate to see it in the flesh, so off we went. Tickets purchased (biggest tickets I have ever seen) and no tripods understood (gutted) we were in.
Straight up its a stunner. The gold leaf makes it look like its glowing, and its grounds are pretty epic.
It sits off a massive koi carp pond, surrounded by gardens.
Once i’d shot it from all angles (sans tripod) we continued through the path to see the shrine and mini waterfall. Both very pretty. There was also an old tea house part way round (that’s the darker room pic).
At the end of the grounds – there’s a vending machine (obviously) but this one sells ICE CREAM SANDWICHES. The excitement. I didn’t partake – but was still pleased to know these existed.
We then got a pretty busy bus over to our next stop, Tenryu-ji temple and the bamboo forest. Its quite a way over to that area and it takes 2 buses and about 45 minutes but it is well worth it.
It was nearing lunchtime and we didn’t want a repeat of yesterday so headed up the main street to ‘crossing-moon’ bridge (look Dad – we saw a bridge – I took a photo just for you!) and found somewhere with a view over to eat lunch.
On the street by the river you could also catch a cart pulled by a person as a tour around the area. You definitely read that right – a cart – pulled by a person. We didn’t go on in case they made us go into two carts… or took one look at me and shook their heads… could you imagine?!
So naturally, more food was in order after these considerations and we went for a ‘hamburger’ set menu. I like to think this is half way between american and japanese food. There was soup (japanese) but it was cheese (american). Then there was hamburger (american) but served with rice and salad (japanese). Overall I really enjoyed this one as I was getting a bit desperate for something different. Adam picked this one so boy did good! Nice view too. (The bridge not Adam, though he’s not too bad either…)
Post food we headed back down the strip to the temple and the sun started making its way through the clouds – hurrah!
This temple was pretty big and you could go in and have a look around (minus shoes of course). So look around we did. Adam was apparently reminded of Shenmue (some random Japanese video game) so was somewhat exciteable. On that note – I hope you’re looking forward to his guest blog review of super potato?! I know I am. (Imagine my face right now…)
Back to the temple. We took some photos in some of the rooms to prove we’d been here. I think someone else was doing the whole kneeling on the floor like a geisha move so we joined in too. #sheep
Once outside of the temple the gardens were stunning. Easily my favourite of the ones we saw in Kyoto.
There was an ornamental garden with a stream running through part of the temple walkway.
A huge koi pond. Loving the koi ponds – I might have been won over on these. I reckon I could manage a pretty decent size one at our house…
Cherry blossoms a plenty. As well as fountains nearby.
There were massive sections of flowers as well as further buildings and ornaments, and a zen stone garden too which I also love. Getting a lot of garden inspiration over in Japan!
It really was a stunning garden and we’d really enjoyed our visit to this one.
Further round there was an exit into the famous bamboo forest which we obviously had to go and check out. It was bright sunshine but the bamboo shuts much of it out – its quite eerie but very cool! It was quite busy so my photos aren’t what i’d hoped for but you should get a flavour of the place.
Out of the forest we found a little market with shrines around it which was interesting, but we’re on a souvenir ban so just looked.
In leui of souvenirs – guess what we got. Yep you got it… more food!!
Adam went for a steamed bun, and I went for a chocolate gelato. Mine won. Think Adam went for a pork one and didn’t enjoy it as much as he had the day before.
We were both in need of a rest by this point so headed back to the hotel for a vending machine beer and a blog catch up. Much required.
For dinner that evening we decided it would be nice to go out for something a bit different and really fancied steak. I’d been looking for a teppenyaki restaurant and found one with good reviews but no prices so we thought we’d go have a look to see.
Turns out it was faaaar too expensive, so we went over the road to a place called Meet Bowl, where you have a fire pit in the centre of your table and cook your own.
They are a fan of cooking your own here… I’m not sure if its laziness or whether they are too polite to either get things wrong, or whether the people who go out to eat are too polite to assume things are cooked for you. (Its none of the above I know…)
We both went for the round steak cut of the day, with a green salad. Adam managed to convey ‘no dressing’ which was good. God love google translate.
The steak was very very tasty and i’d ordered some garlic prawns too which were fab and came with mushrooms that Adam appreciated.
I had gone for a sweet potato shochi with soda and really had to force it down, it was a bit like gin which I struggle to drink (it does happen). Adam went for a whiskey and ginger ale which he loved (I tried some and have to admit it was delicious!)
Think this came to about 6,000 yen ish, which works out about $60. I can cope with about £40 though was still hungry.
I’d found a nearby craft ale bar online so we headed there for a few more drinks – it turned out to be an irish bar (comedy) and was playing an oasis live album so Adam thoroughly enjoyed it. They also served bar snacks so we had a dessert of caprese and margherita pizza. Classic.
We were both in need of extra food so it hit the spot.
Adam had a couple of Japanese ales (untappd has recorded them of course) and I went for an outsider peach cider, which tasted amazing but smelt like vom so I powered through two thirds then gave up. I wasn’t having much luck with drinks today.
After a few drinks at the irish bar we decided against going to another one as we had to move on tomorrow so headed back for some much needed shut eye.
** DAYS LATER I’VE DISCOVERED I LEFT MY HANDBAG HERE, FAIL**
