Going Solo in Kyoto: Part 3- Temple Hopping

It's hard to miss temples in Kyoto for they are just about everywhere. I feel like in every turn in the corner, a temple pops up. Because there are just so many temples to see and each claiming its significance in Japanese history, it's important to decide what temples you'd like to see.

I considered two things. I have to see the Kinkakuji Temple- the temple covered in gold dust and I'll also look at the temples around that area. The other ones, maybe I can see them next time. Japan Guide has a great guide on where to go and how to get around in Kyoto. 

From Kyoto Station, buses are available to different temple districts. Bus guides in English are all around the bus terminal so it's easy to know which bus to take. 

A one-day bus pass worth 500 Yen for adults is available at the bus station. This can only be used on the City Buses and not on the JR Buses. 

Kyo-Ramen

After having a brief lunch of Kyo-ramen at the Kyoto Station, I marched to the bus terminal and boarded a bus to Kinkakuji. The ride is about 40 minutes with 230 Yen fare. Bus announcements are also translated in English so English-speaking tourists would know where to get off. 

(Going Solo in Kyoto Parts 1 and 2 here)

From the bus stop, the temple entrance is a 3-minute walk. Entrance is 400 Yen. The temple is truly worth the 40-minute bus ride. It was lovely sitting amidst a pond with a mountain backdrop. It was cloudy when I visited but I'm sure it would look stunning in a hot midday afternoon sun. I could imagine the golden glow of the temple. 

Kinkakuji Temple
(Kin means gold in Japanese)

Close Up of Kinkakuji

After almost an hour in Kinkakuji, I headed to the next temple which is Ryoanji. From Kinkakuji, board a bus passing the street in front of the temple. I was planning to walk up there but I'm glad I didn't because it's quite far for a walk. 

Ryoanji boasts of its Zen Rock Garden. The entrance is 500 Yen which I regret paying. The Rock Garden was a disappointment for me. It was small (probably just the same size as my Leo Palace Apartment.) I also some of the other foreigners with their disappointed faces. 

Ryoanji's Zen Rock Garden

temple interior at Ryoanji

After that disappointing visit, I walked towards Ninnanji Temple. It's a 15-minute walk from Ryoanji. There's a bus going there but it's not as often, I think. Entrance is 500 Yen which is a fair price for the sights you'll see. 

The temple garden was spacious peppered with small temples. There's also the historic five-story pagoda. And the Zen Garden of the main temple was soothing and relaxing. 

Kyoto's five-story pagoda

Ninnanji Temple's Garden
(Bigger and better than Ryoanji's)

Top view of Ninnanji's Temple Garden

After more than an hour, I left Ninnanji and head back to Kyoto Station. I would have loved to see Ginkakuji Temple (It's the silver temple.) and the geisha house next time. But for this trip, I had seen enough of temples and I had to be back to Hamamatsu by 8 pm. 

(More of Places in Japan, here)

I was glad I had my first year celebration in Kyoto. It was the perfect place to feel that I am truly in Japan. 

Going Solo in Kyoto: Part 2- Reliving a Geisha at Inari Shrine

One of the best scenes in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha is when the young girl was running along a path in between numerous torii gates. It stood out on my mind because of the lovely cinematic effect with matching background music. That scene stirred a mixture of sadness and hope for me and I don't know exactly why. Maybe that scene was like the young girl's attempt to run for her innocence or reliving those times. So because of that movie scene, I promised myself I would visit that place when I get to Kyoto.

Sayuri running through the torii gates at Inari Shrine
photo credit: www.groovyjuvy.com

Inari Shrine is about 15 minutes away from Kyoto Station via the JR Nara Line. The fare is 140 Yen. The shrine is just across the station and lots of people visit that place. The entrance is marked with a big torii gate that it is impossible to get lost.

in front of the Main Gate
(thanks to a gaijin I had a full body picture)

This shrine is famous for its thousand torii gates that make a path on a mountain. Welcoming the guests on the big Main Gate are two large foxes with scary facial expressions.

"You can't get this key" said the fox.
I replied, "Fine, I'm not trying to!"

On the right side of the Main Gate's entrance, are two splitting torii paths which leads to the same area.

splitting torii gates at Inari Shrine

I didn't know before that the torii gates make a very long path. I also didn't know that there are several stops where you can head back. I just kept on walking until I realized I was tired and only a few people were walking with me. It was a two hour walk! It was worth it though. The mountain view and the unending red path made me feel I was in an unknown beautiful vacuum.

a man taking picture while I took a picture of him ^-^

After the unexpected hike, I am more than ready to have lunch and start the temple walk.

Going Solo in Kyoto: Part 1- Morning in Arashiyama

To celebrate my first year in Japan, I took a day tour in Kyoto. Two reasons why Kyoto- I've never been there and I feel like a loser for haven't been there since it's a "must-see" place in Japan after Tokyo.

Boarding an overnight bus from Hamamatsu on May 31st, my short trip started. Travelling by bus is one of the cheapest means but to do it overnight is almost a misery. I was half-conscious while sleeping so I didn't sleep really well. The reclining chair wasn't too comfortable and to top it all, the guy behind me snored quite loudly. I just have to thank God that I arrived safely at Kyoto station before 5 am. 

So what did I do at 5 am in the station? Took some pictures, explored the nearby sleeping areas, had breakfast and tried to talk to some Japanese girls. Good thing that Kyoto Station is quite impressive it made me excited to start my sightseeing. 

Kyoto Tower overlooking a temple

breakfast at Cafe Veloce beside the Kyoto Post Office
(very affordable food!)

A few minutes past 7, I boarded a train going to Arashiyama. It's the train bound for Kamaoka. The fare is 230 Yen.

Arashiyama is in the Western part of Kyoto, a touristy district with several temples and natural sights. I got off at Saga-Arashiyama station. There's a map just across the stairs of the station so visitors can navigate the district on their own. 

SL and Piano Museum at Saga-Arashiyama Station
(I don't know why their display is like that)

A narrow street just beside the Piano Museum leads to the road going to the Tenryu-ji (a temple), Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Groves. There are signs but they are in Japanese. A kind lady helped me figure out where I was supposed to go when she saw me looking puzzled perhaps. 

From the end of the street, the Tenryu-ji Temple is a few blocks away on the left. I didn't find it impressive maybe because I've seen a lot of Japanese temples already. There was also an ongoing construction on the main temple. I visited it because it's a World Heritage Site and it's one my way to the Togetsukyo Bridge. And oh there's no entrance fee so might as well see the place. 

a statue in Tenryuji 

interior of one of the temples in Tenryuji 

From Tenryu-ji, I continued walking seeing the Togetsukyo Bridge just a few minutes away from me. This bridge is supposed to offer a spectacular view of mountains. When I reached the bridge, the view was lovely but not as majestic as I have expected. I think that the best time to appreciate this place is on spring and autumn when everything is filled with colors. 

The Togetsukyo Bridge after the spring

A view from the park below Togetsukyo Bridge

Going on the opposite direction, I headed to the bamboo groves. This is my favorite place in Arashiyama. The bamboo trail has a misty glow to it. I feel like I was being led to a mystical place. The downside was I had a bike with me. I rented a bike for 1000 Yen thinking that I had to walk a good deal. I wish I hadn't because the bamboo trail was uphill. 

The Bamboo Groves in Arashiyama

There were other spots and lots of temples in the Arashiyama district. It would take a day at least to see everything. Since I didn't have the luxury of a day, I finished my tour in the bamboo groves and head back to Kyoto Station and go to my next stop- the Inari Shrine.