A Spring in Kyoto, (5)
Peace, Ocha, Shakuhachi. (7)
Live Long & Prosper. (5)
Kyoto is filled with Culture, Temples, Maikos traveling to their clients, and parks and streams where haikus (Like the one I attempted to create in the beginning) and paintings praise about.
Objectively there are a few places that you should cover.
1) Gion's Corner
2) Kiyomizudera Temple,
3) Arashiyama Bamboo Forest,
4) Kinkakuji Temple
Gion Street is the cultural centre where most of the city buses meet. On Gion Street you will see many souvenir selling shops, food, and even a Theater for Kabuki performances.
Gion's Corner
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Gion is also home to Gion's Corner, a cultural establishment that has frequent performances to offer the cultural experiences to tourists on Ochado ( Tea Ceremony), Bunraku, Ikebana, and other skills usually performed by Maiko.
TRIUS TIP:
It is more expensive to buy a ticket for the current day. So to enjoy a cheaper entrance, go to the advance booking counter and book for tomorrow's session. An 'Advanced booking' makes a very big difference!
Arashiyama
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Arashiyama is located in the West of Kyoto. Usually included in Day trips and 1 day excursions, but can be visited with just a bus ride or a train ride from Kyoto city to Arashiyama Station.
It has a very nice bridge over the Oi River and a mountain for a backdrop. Prefect for Sakura viewing, Ramen and Ocha.
Heading back to the bridge and one can venture into the famous bamboo forest. It has a very romantic feel and it is no wonder that you will see many Japanese couples coming here for their pre-wedding shoots.
Kiyomizu-dera is also a popular place to take prewedding pictures.
Cafe Oblio was featured in Japanese TV to use matcha flavour, from beverages right up to cakes and desserts. The atmosphere here was also very peaceful and cozy. Perfect for enjoying your favourite piece of the matcha pie.
There is also a Tottoro Shop on the Same street as Maiko Henshin.
Here are some sights of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It costs a minute fee to get in which goes to the preservation and restoration projects of the temple. But the scenes you take back are worth it.
And Now behold our Model.
Joee Maiko-chan
Joee Maiko-chan, took the Strolling package which includes 6 studio poses, and a 45-minute free stroll around Kiyomizu-dera. The entire experience takes About 3 and a half hours inclusive of make up, strolling and taking off the dress time. 17000 yen.
This is a nice park North of Takayama Station, it used to be the old area of which the Takayama Castle was built on. But now its just a nice park to jog or walk in.
Disney Sea
========
Disney Sea is situated on the other side of Disneyland Tokyo. Disney Sea is the only one of its kind and features more water based animations from Disney.
Peace, Ocha, Shakuhachi. (7)
Live Long & Prosper. (5)
Kyoto is filled with Culture, Temples, Maikos traveling to their clients, and parks and streams where haikus (Like the one I attempted to create in the beginning) and paintings praise about.
Objectively there are a few places that you should cover.
1) Gion's Corner
2) Kiyomizudera Temple,
3) Arashiyama Bamboo Forest,
4) Kinkakuji Temple
Gion Street is the cultural centre where most of the city buses meet. On Gion Street you will see many souvenir selling shops, food, and even a Theater for Kabuki performances.
Gion's Corner
==========
Gion is also home to Gion's Corner, a cultural establishment that has frequent performances to offer the cultural experiences to tourists on Ochado ( Tea Ceremony), Bunraku, Ikebana, and other skills usually performed by Maiko.
TRIUS TIP:
It is more expensive to buy a ticket for the current day. So to enjoy a cheaper entrance, go to the advance booking counter and book for tomorrow's session. An 'Advanced booking' makes a very big difference!
 |
| Japanese Sweets that are usually taken before drinking Matcha. |
=========
Arashiyama is located in the West of Kyoto. Usually included in Day trips and 1 day excursions, but can be visited with just a bus ride or a train ride from Kyoto city to Arashiyama Station.
It has a very nice bridge over the Oi River and a mountain for a backdrop. Prefect for Sakura viewing, Ramen and Ocha.
Heading back to the bridge and one can venture into the famous bamboo forest. It has a very romantic feel and it is no wonder that you will see many Japanese couples coming here for their pre-wedding shoots.
KiyoMizu-Dera Temple
==================
The area where Kiyomizu-dera Temple is situated is a very scenic place. Great for picture taking.
My Model Joee-chan, decided that she would dress up as Maiko for 45 minutes for some picture taking. In Kyoto, you have the option of renting kimonos to walk around the streets. Or you could get yourself made into a Maiko (apprentice Geisha) and experience a 45-minute stroll. I promise you, the experience you get is really different. Lets continue on our tour around Kiyomizu-dera while she Transforms at Maiko-Henshin.
Kiyomizu-dera is also a popular place to take prewedding pictures.
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| This particular couple is most probably from Malaysia or Singapore =P |
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There is also a Tottoro Shop on the Same street as Maiko Henshin.
Here are some sights of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It costs a minute fee to get in which goes to the preservation and restoration projects of the temple. But the scenes you take back are worth it.
And Now behold our Model.
Joee Maiko-chan
 |
| Trying to escape from the Paparazzi... |
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| Joee Maiko-Chan pretending to be a real Maiko for the Tourists |
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| Pulled it off! =D |
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| Time to henshin back ... was fun! |
And this is my favourite Masterpiece...
Kinkakuji
========
Kinkakuji or the Golden Pavillion is one of the most serene yet busy temples in Kyoto. Its always filled with tourist but the scenery is so serene. Talk about Yin and Yang.
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| Ship shaped Bonsai |
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| The Ticket/ Blessed Paper |
During Sakura season you can also have sakura viewing session with Matcha and a sweet with gold leaves.
There are many more scenes in Kyoto that can be explored. But if you are selective on what to see. These 4 places would definitely make your time worthwhile.
Takayama
========
Takayama is not as famous as the other destinations around Japan, but it is definitely a worth visit if you have the time, and its about to get alot more popular.
Getting to Takayama from Kyoto, you can either take a 2 stop Train from Kyoto to Nagoya and then the JR Hida line to Takayama or the HIGHWAY BUS from Kyoto Station. A 4 hour bus ride from Kyoto to Takayama cost around 4500yen compared to three hour train ride with Shinkansen at 9500 yen.
If you are used to Guest houses, you may want to consider ryokan houses called Minshuku Ryokan. We chose the Minshuku Kowataniya Ryokan. Affordable Ryokan in Takayama with shared bathroom and Onsen water tub!
Also most of the attractions in Takayama are very near this Minshuku.
The man right here, sells Hida beef Satay! Just look at the way he grills it and makes sure its just medium rare. Oh my god please come here and find him!
This is a nice park North of Takayama Station, it used to be the old area of which the Takayama Castle was built on. But now its just a nice park to jog or walk in.
Having our lunch in town looking for the best Hida Beef available.
TRIUS TALES:
Right after our lunch we came into this carpark to collect our bicycles. And this handsome fellow was tied next to our bicycles. As we approached our bicycles, he suddenly barked and lunged towards us. Immediately when he did, the leash broke free and he stopped in his tracks. We respectfully greeted him and managed to capture this priceless picture. What an intelligent and friendly dog.
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| Joee with the an Akita-ken |
Joee-Chan has been to Takayama before to visit the Sukyo Mahikari World Shrine which is an impressive monument to see. Notice the architecture of the Shrine complete with signs of a multitude of religions and the Crest of the Emperor of Japan.
If you however decide to stay near this temple (on the other side of the Train station from the original Minshuku), you probably would have chosen the Sakura Guest house. North of which is the road to the famous Shirakawago!
But not too far away is another village that showcases the different building styles of ancient Japan.
Called... The Minzuko Mura Folk Village or also known as Hida no Sato Village. Only 700yen per entry it is an interesting park to visit.
Tokyo
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Odaiba
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Odaiba, is known for its array of luxurious hotels and complexes. And also for Diver City's Gundam. Gundam fans, this is a must go! Theres a Gundam museum in Diver City that must be visited as well!
There is even an official Gundam Cafe! Though I would have pictured it to be a little larger.
Disney Land Tokyo
===============
Disneyland Tokyo is quite a feat. Featuring almost everything similar to the one in Hollywood, it is no wonder Disney fans from Asia don't mind visiting this one as a replacement.
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Disney Sea is situated on the other side of Disneyland Tokyo. Disney Sea is the only one of its kind and features more water based animations from Disney.
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| Taking the monorail to the other side of Disney Tokyo. |
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| Most definitely a reference to StarWars! |
Japan is filled with so many wonders and gems that will most definitely take more than a couple trips to complete. And so we end this blog entry here as we prepare for out next journey to cover Japan in July 2015.
So please look forward to our next report as TRIUS and JOEE-CHAN TRAVELS to... Hokkaido!
Good evening everybody!
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