Tag: kyoto

The deity army and ninjas of Toei

First stop of the morning today was a Buddhist temple called; Sanjusangen-do. The primary reason for tourists to visit this spot is because in the long (approximately 120 meters) wooden hall, it houses more than 800 statues and 1 very huge version.

The special characteristics of the statues is it has 1000-arms and 11-heads atop of its own, as if wearing a crown. Furthermore, when you read its history at the Genjusangen-do, you will learn there were more than 1 sculptor who created the 800 statues, as it took around 100 years to complete them.

Photography and any form of recording, including mobile phones, are prohibited inside the hall. Warnings placed before entry mentions the devices can be confiscated later.

The next time I visit Sanjusangen-do will be to witness an annual archery event adopted from the old Toshiya tradition. Back in the day, only men (I believe) were participants. The version of today; Oh-mato Taikai, draws male and female participants from all over Japan. The best part is most women will be dressed in kimonos when they take part. Beauty and brawn – check.

The next stop we decided on was the Toei Kyoto Studio Park. Also maybe known as the ninja village.

Inside the park was a variety of entertainment areas ranging from ninja schools, ninja theater, behind the scenes filming (pictured above) and many others. But I do have to stress this, entry fee is not the only fee you will have to pay because selected areas like the ninja school will demand you pay an additional amount too. The free entertainment (as I recall) apply to the cinema, theater and outdoor performance.

Though to get your money’s worth, be on the lookout for staff cosplaying as samurai or elegant women in kimono. πŸ˜›

On another side of the park, there’s also a mini Toei anime museum to explore their previous works such as Dragonball and One Piece to name the few I remember.

Besides the above, there’s apparently also a cinema or something like it on the 2nd floor of the building. We didn’t go up there but I think they screen some movie / anime done by Toei.

And that’s pretty much been Kyoto for me. Maybe I’m missing on some other experiences here, so I guess until next time Kyoto, during the Oh-mato Taikai – if I’m allowed to witness it. πŸ™‚

Fushimi Inari and the golden pavilion

We started the day easy with breakfast in the room bought from the nearby 7-11 last night. You gotta love them “conbini” (convenience stores) like 7-11, Family Mart and other similar outlets around the area.

By the the time we arrived at Fushimi Inari, it was almost 10am and there was already quite a number of people there. As we walked the path, we came to the famous orange tori gates which you may have seen aplenty online.

Snapping a photo here without distractions was a challenge because it wasn’t early enough that only few bodies were moving about. In addition, walking higher up the hill wouldn’t make a difference because the gates further weren’t as tight and short.

Therefore, the only choice you would have is to wait for your chance during this situation. And there were many doing the same.

Once we completed our visit, we headed to Gion for a chance to catch some geisha’s walking around. Although we didn’t manage to stumble on any, we had a really good lunch at a restaurant with yummy oyakodon and grilled chicken. As a Malaysian, that’s still a win. Lol.

Then we wrapped up the touristy activities for the day by paying a visit to the golden pavilion; kinkaku-ji. The amount of people here was kinda crazy especially when you could’ve seen the amount of them from individuals, tourist groups and also, school trips.

By the way, if you do visit the golden pavilion, take note the best place to take the photo isn’t where everyone is crowding around. If I may make a suggestion, it’s at the bend between the crowd and leaving the crowd.

The other interesting place at the Kinkaku-ji was a shrine where others wrote on a wooden panel with the face of a fox. It was interesting because you may draw on the white wooden panel with the face of a fox. And being in Japan, you could see the huge influence of manga style in the drawings.

At the end of today, our feet could feel the numbness from the walking and step climbing. Oh how it would feel to enter an onsen or hot bath. Because though our hotel room has a tub, there’s 3 of us and not enough space outside the tub to shower first. Sigh.

Well, we’re not quite sure where we’re headed tomorrow, but I do hope the weather forecast would be wrong and we’d have either a cloudy or sunny day. πŸ™‚

Sayonara Tajimi, Konichiwa Kyoto

We said farewell to Tajimi to ride the Shinkansen and make our way this time to Kyoto.

Using the bullet train, it only took us approximately 30 minutes to reach a stop where we transferred to another subway line and then made our way out onto the surface of Kyoto.

Similarly to when we emerge from the Tokyo station, we needed some time to get our bearings in unfamiliar territory. Thankfully, it didn’t take us long to navigate the direction we needed to head with Google Maps.

Funny thing about Japan’s check-in time I find is you can only check-in from 2pm onwards. Because we were early, we were allowed to place our baggage at the hotel while we headed out to start exploring.

Destination, Kiyomizu-dera. It’s a world famous temple with an extended patio supported by wooden stilts and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage now.

We kind of struggled a little getting there because we wanted to use the bus. But we managed somehow with some apps, Kyoto website and a little luck. Riding the bus in Japan was different because you only pay the required fare once you get off, so that’s a first for me.

Once we walked up a narrow road just enough for 1 van to pass through, we finally were in view of a large orange gate. After you pass through the gate and walk up again a few more steps, you’ll have to purchase an entrance ticket (300 yen) to gain access to the extended patio.

Not only were there a lot of locals and foreigners like us, it seems this was also a popular place for students to make their prayers.

Most students would make their way up these steps and there are some other shrines, plus places to purchase charms for wealth, victory, studies, child bearing and more.

By the time we made our way back to the hotel for check-in, it was already around 4pm. The lobby was pretty busy with guests checking in and thank goodness our reservation wasn’t affected.

When we entered the room, it was different from the other one we stayed in Tokyo. This had a premium feel, such as your 4-star hotel. Though the room may be a little smaller compared to some 4-star hotels, it’s still very comfortable.

That means, it’s time to make the best of it and tuck into bed. Oyasuminasai.