On our second day, Japan decided to be a little more generous and gave us the heat we wanted to keep ourselves warm. It was really sunny. We went over to Kyoto which is just an hour away from Osaka. Initially Nara was in our itinerary too but we were running out of time so I have to save Nara for the next time.
#1 But first, let me take a selfie. HAHAHA stupid song.
#2
#3 We were all really hungry when we arrived Arashiyama, so we randomly went into the first restaurant we chanced upon.
#4
Arashiyama (åµå±± Storm Mountain?) is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It also refers to the mountain across the ÅŒi River, which forms a backdrop to the district.
#5 This is Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama which is a well known landmark.
#6 Bought green tea ice-cream from a stall nearby and it was really good! Knowing that it’s a sunny day, I had the chance to wear my skirt instead of pants. Beige trench coat from Zara Kids, for only RM79.90!! So worth it I want to cry LOL!
#7 Was really excited when I spotted geisha so I went over and asked for pictures. Or maybe they’re maiko, I cant differentiate.
#8 Super HUGE daikon or white radish as we call it. Mom said it was really heavy!
We spend quite sometime exploring the souvenir and snack shops around Arashiyama.
#9 Couldn’t spot any Sakura as we were two to three weeks earlier but Plum blossoms were everywhere.
#10
#11 What a pretty sight to behold! To be honest I do not know how to differentiate Sakura and Plum blossom, why do they look so alike to me?
#12 Wish I could see the real Sakura though since they only appear for such a limited time.
Tenyru-ji is a major temple of the Rinzai School. It was built in 1339 on the former site of Emperor Go-Daigo’s villa after a priest dreamt of a dragon rising from the nearby river.
The main attraction of Tenryu-ji Temple is the Zen garden dating back to the 14th century. A triumph of design, the garden features a large pond which catches the reflection of the maple trees and large rough-cut rocks on the periphery. It also makes use of “borrowed scenery” from the nearby hills of Arashiyama, which appear to be the next tier of the garden.
#13 Mom and I at Tenryu-ji temple, one of my favourite picture with her thus far. :)
#14
#15 Followed the path along Tenryu-ji Temple and it will lead you to Sagano bamboo forest, one of the very famous attraction at Arashiyama.
#16 Le bro and I. Walking along and between stretches of bamboo trees was very calming, soothing and relaxing.
But because time was our biggest issue, we couldn’t stay for long.
#17
#18 I just kept saying, ‘Japan is really very Japan indeed’ lol. You know how sometimes you eat a piece of chicken and then you’ll say, ‘This chicken taste very chicken’. Okay, maybe it’s just me haha.
#19 The weather started getting warm so we all get to take off our outerwear for awhile. :)
My yellow knitwear is from Zara Kids too, for Rm39.90! :D
#20 Look at that sun ray, we were all very happy because it was very cold the day before.
After leaving Arashiyama, we went over to Higashiyama district. It was quite a long walk from the nearest train station, for about 20 minutes or more maybe.
#21 Randomly walked into a praying shrine after I spotted some really colorful hanging pouches.
#22 I mimicked the Japanese and prayed, not sure if I did it correctly though.
We walked uphill along Higashiyama district, entering and exiting shops while heading towards Kiyomizudera Temple.
#23
Kiyomizudera (清水寺, literally “Pure Water Temple”) is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, and derives its name from the fall’s pure waters. Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below.
#24 I wanted to write my wishes on a piece of wooden plate and hang it but I was too stingy to do so because it will make me go 700yen poorer. I think it was 700yen.
#25 And then I prayed again wtf. (Let me eat all the sashimi in Japan lol).
#26 From above.
#27 I was actually looking forward to drink their holy water too but the queue was too long I cant be arse. There will always be a next time I told myself.
#28 From below, the famous wooden stage of Kiyomizudera Temple.
By the time we were done with Higashiyama, evening started to set in and because my mom and my aunt were too tired we forego Nara.
I was actually very looking forward to hanging out with lotsa deer but since Fatty too has not been to Nara we can go visit together in the future. :)
#29 Randomly went into an Udon shop, I tell you it’s very Japan one.
#30 Don’t remember how much this bowl of Udon cost but it is really cheap and really good too! So cheap we were shocked. Love lah, warm hearty bowl of Udon. Slurp.
#31 In a convenient store before heading back to Zebra House.
Sometimes I still couldn’t believe that I’ve been to Japan and back.
I used to hate Japan so much that this country has never been in my ‘country to visit’ list.
And I hated Japan so much because of the way Japanese used to torture innocent people during war.
What was I thinking? Such an extreme person LOL.