Bamboo Bamboo Bamboo

 When it comes to Bamboo forest in Kyoto, the most famous one is the bamboo forest in Arashiyama.

If you like to take such a picture, you need to come here early in the morning or very off-sightseeing season.

But it is very beautiful.

Even I was originally a Kyoto citizen, I think it very beautiful without any people.

Unfortunately, it is very famous and in a high season, it is very crowded and you can not take a nice pircture

However, there are some other places which have nice bamboo trees.

Kodaiji temple in Higashiyama.

It has a little bamboo forest.

Jizo-in temple which is called Bamboo temple

Access to this temple can not be said good. So it is very quiet. I like this atmosphere.

One more picture of Jizo-in

One more temple has a nice bamboo forest, Adashino Nenbutudera temple

Unfortunately, I didn't take any bamboooictures  here. This temple is famous for little stone statues.

Please see this URL

https://bqspot.com/kansai/kyoto/80

Enko-ji temple

This temple is famous for Maples

But it has nice bamboo trees too

Acsess

Jizo-in temple 

Hankyu line --Kamikatsura station 12 min walk

                    or Kyoto bus 73 from Kyoto station. nearest bus stop -Kokedera 

Kodaiji temple  From Kyoto station, city bus 106, Yasui Konbiragu

Adashino Nenbutsudera temple  From Tenryuji mae  Kyoto bus for Kiyotaki,

       nearest stop -- Toriimoto

Enko-ji temple  city bus 5 to Ichijo Sagarimatsu

Deep in the contryside, Ohara,

 In Autumn, Japanese tourists flock here to enjoy Autumn leaves. 
 But in summer, not so many people come here.

Ohara is a little away from the center of the city. From the bus stop, let's walk in the field. Ohara area produce nice pickles called Shibazuke using red-shiso herb.

If you come here in the right season, you will see it. It is also used to make Umeboshi, or pickled plum, which is often used as a filling of onigiri!!

Let's keep walking in the contryside.

You will encounter such scenery, unlike the downtown.

And if you are lucky, you can chat with farmers.

15min walk brings you here.

Very quiet place.

It is Jakko-in temple, a nunnery.

In 12th century, the last part of the era of aristocracy, a daughter of the man in power as a samurai was in the sea battle. And at last moment of the battle, her family including her jumped into the sea.

All her family but her died in the sea. However, she was saved by the opponent.

She was the only survivor.

Her life was dramatic, She got married to the Emperor, and got a baby boy who became the Emperor too. But later, she lost all her family including her son.

She must have been so shocked and in despair. She moved here away from Kyoto and deep in the countryside where nobody visited her.

She spent the rest of her life just mourning her family.

One day, her father-in-law, the retired Emperor, Goshirakawa, visited her. When he arrived, he was very surprised to know that she lived so far away in the desolate place.

Please visit here imagining her life.

Jakko-in temple

From Kyoto station, Take Kyoto bus 17（not a city bus ) for Ohara.

From the final bus stop, 15 min walk.

Entrance fee 600 yen/person

Just a dream of dreams

 This is a part of the farewell poem of the ruler in 16th century, Hideyoshi.

When you enter the temple, you will find a calligraphy "夢”, the meaning of which is a dream. Nene, who is the founder of the temple, was a wife of him.

After his death, she moved to Kyoto and spent the rest of her life to think and remember him. She lived right in front of this temple and often visited here.

Now this temple is known as one of the nice spots of Autumn leaves. 

In those days, the marriages were arranged. However, Hideyoshi fell in love with her and got married to her in spite of Nene's parents' disapproval.  He was born in a famer's family, and didn't have his own family name. When they got married, he used Nene's family name, Kinoshita.

At that time, Hideyoshi ( in those days, Tokichiro) was　in a low rank of samurai.

Although Hideyoshi's future was unforeseeable,  Nene loved him and challenged her new life with him, which resulted in a wife of the ruler of Japan.

Please think of her and enjoy each part of this temple. 

 The garden from the main hall

The pond in front of Kaisan do, ( the hall for the first monk of this temple)

 The family crest, 5-3 paulownia 

he was allowed to use this crest too,

because he was adopted to the very top court-noble clan ( the relative of the Emperor ) to gain the final political power

Kodaiji temple

from Kyoto station, 100 or 206 city bus, the nearest bus stop, Yasui Konpiragu.
or 

walkable from Kiyomizu temple

From downtown shijo, take the bus 207

Entrance fee 600 yen

Biwako Terrace / Shiga

 

 Nice view, isn't it?
It is the view from the height of over 1000 meters
What can be seen below is the largest lake in Japan

Under the fine weather, you can relax yourself, feel the time passes by comfortably.
The top of the mountain has a couple of cafes and restaurants.
Please enjoy the air with nice coffee on the sofa.

The ropeway brings you here.
From the beginning, you starts the nice view below.

With coffee and gelato ！！

Not only the cafe, but also activities are available here. 

You can come with your family including kids.

 Biwako Terrace ( Biwako valley )
JR ( Kosei line ) from Kyoto to Shiga

Then bus takes you to the ropeway station.

Ropeway round ticket 3000 yen / person
but you can use ski lift for free 

Swing by a small temple from Philosopher's path

 Philosopher's path is famous among tourists. Most of them usually walk from Nanzenji to Ginkakuji or vice versa.

But just a couple of minutes away from there, there is a quiet place.

Honen-in temple.

It was made by the founder of Pureland school, Honen.

The temple was named after him. He started the temple as a place for chanting and training.

But two disciples who came here following Honen triggered  the Emperor's anger and the founder, Honen, was exiled to Shikoku island.

Later in 17th century, it was re-founded

In front of the gate, there is a stone pillar saying " Don't bring meat, odor, and alcohol, because they inhibits from training"

When you enter, you will see these sand mounds, which show water. You will proceed between the waters. That means you will be purified by the water.

The design of the mounds is changed every 4 or 5 days.

By the way, do you know philosopher's path?

It is a walking path with 400 cherry trees along. It was named so because the philosophers used to walk along this path.

In the nice season, it is good to walk.

Honen-in,

From Ginkakuji, please walk along Philosopher's path and turn right a little bit. ( 10 min walk)

The hall is not  opened to the public but you can enter the precinct.

The steps used in the movie

 Higashiyama in Kyoto has many temples. Chion-in temple is one of them

It is the head temple of Jodo-shu school or pure land sect.

When you are in front of the gate, you will be impressed with the very big gate.

 It is 24 meter high and 54 meter wide. and said the largest temple gate in Japan.

When you pass through the gate, many steps lead you to the main hall

And one famous actor walked up the steps in the movie of Last samurai.

In the movie, the end of the steps, there is a samurai house.

However,  the main hall of the temple is after the long steps

The temple has 7 wonders.

One of them is an umbrella left under the ceiling, It is called " forgotten umbrella"

If you have a chance to come here, please look for it. It is easy to find.

In the hall, some times in a day, you can hear the monk's chanting. If you are interested in feeling a real Buddhism air. Visiting here might be good for you.

It might be fun to walk up these steps imagining you are in the movie going to the samurai house.

Chion-in temple 

From Kyoto station, city bus 100 or 206

the nearest bus stop,  Gion, or Chion-in mae 

to enter the main hall, no charge

To see the garden 400 yen

The day of Higan

 Sep. 23rd is Autumnal Equinox Day. And it is called Higan.

 In Buddhism, we call this world Shigan, and another world Higan.

 When I was a child, I was told that that Equinox Days ( twice a year )  are the days closest  to another world.

The sun sets right in the west. We believe another world must be in the west and maybe we can contact the world or ancestors easily

It is well-known as the day to visit the family grave.

Today, I went to my family grave and paid respect to my mon and dad.

We offer the sweet stuff called Ohagi ( Botamochi in spring )
This is  rice cake covered with red-bean paste 

At this time of the year, when you pass in front of sweet shops, you will see this.
Even at supermarkets, you will find them and there are more than usual.

Why ohagi?

It uses Red beans. And it is said it wards off evil spirits.

That would be a good opportunity to think about my family and my parents.

On the way back home, when I came here, this scenery eased me much.
It is often used in TV dramas.

Kyoto Railway museum

 Honestly, I am not a big fan of trains or railways. But I think it is very interesting.

That is Kyoto Railway museum.

When I visited, I found some train cars which reminds me of when I was a child or young. What is interesting is we can see the train car from under. It is funny. I have never seen it from such an angle.

When you step in, you will find some train carriage used before.

And I found the old style of Shinkansen.

This picture was taken under the car.

No words are needed.  

If you are a big railway fan, I am sure you will enjoy it

And you can see real shinkansen from the rooftop.

Railway museum

15min walk from JR Kyoto station

or 

take Sanin-line and get off at the first station and walk

Soba making in Kyoto

 Do you know soba?  It is a kind of noodles made of buckwheat flour.
 Sometimes I am asked to join soba making class. This is it!! Some soba noodle restaurants offer the class.

Under the instruction by soba master, she mixed and knead the dough.

To make soba, usually wheat flour and buckwheat flour are to be mixed. The ratio depends on the humidity and temperature. That requires a special technique. 

Then she spread the dough like this

And she cut the dough.

 That would be good soba!!!

The chef cooked soba she made and the chef made, two kinds.

The difference is obvious :)

But taste is same!

Let's eat  !!!

As for soba making :  please check the internet to find the soba restaurant which offers such classes 

the reservation is required

Please check the cancellation policy too

Give up one desire!

One the way to Yasaka pagoda, just before the pagoda, on your left, you will see a small temple with colorful stuffs.  Also in front of the building or shops, you will see something small tied and hung.

What are those?

Those are tied monkeys.

But why monkeys?

Monkeys are a symbol of animals

But why animals?

Because animals are the symbol of desires. They don't show patience.

When they are hungry, whey they are angry(?) , they show their sentiment.
To tie the monkey doll means to give up one desire you have.

When you make a wish and hope it will be realized, you need to give up one desire.

Apart from that、how cute they are,  aren't they?

Yes, now it is an Instagram spot among the tourists

They wear a rental kimono and come here to take pictures.

 If you like to take pictures of ladies wearing kimono.

 Maybe this is the right spot.

 Yasaka Koshin do

  From Kyoto station,

  city bus, 100, 206, 

 From Shijo kawaramachi,  207

  the nearest bus stop, Kiyomizu michi

Taking pictures is OK. 

But please do  after paying the respect to the Buddha statue here.

Okochi villa in Arashiyama

Arashiyama is the most charming in Autumn attracting many tourists with maple leaves. However, I love it in the other seasons.

Okochi villa is at the end of Bamboo forest.

You have Maccha tea and sweets here before enjoying the gardens.

Okochi villa was made by the famous film actor , Okochi Denjiro.

He wanted to be a script writer. But with the advice by the film director, he decided to act a little while. But he became a great actor as a result. He acted in many samurai movies
This is his villa. ( His house was near the movie studio ) He invited his friends including film actors and actresses and enjoyed party here.

Little by little, he made the gardens taking 30 years of time.
From here, he commanded a nice view of Kyoto.

The second garden is like Buddhism garden. It is a meditation hall. He used to make a zem meditation here.

He must have enjoyed the quiet time here forgetting his busy days.

This is my favorite garden in front of a tea house. These stepping stones lead you to the house. Please view the garden from the tea house. The garden was made most beautiful when viewed from there.

 

In the highest place here, we can enjoy the view of the city.  

I wonder what he thought or felt when he was here.

The villa has Autumn color change earliest in Arashiyama.  It is so beautiful with colored leaves.

Even when Arashiyama is very crowded, here is not so crowded as outside. 

Still I love this season with the color of green.

Okochi villa : 1000 JPY including picture post cards and a Maccha tea ticket
From Kyoto station, JR to Saga Arashiyama. 15 min walk.

Randen Arashiyama station  10 min walk

The garden in the frame

 

In the northern part of Kyoto, there is a places called Ohara.

This area is very popular among Japanese tourists, especially in autumn.

One of the nice temples with a beautiful garden is Hosen-in.

The garden is well known as the garden in the frame. it is like a painting in the frame.

You can see the garden from the building.

When you look up at ceiling just in front of the garden, you will see stains on it.　They are blood which was left on the floor of Fushimi Castle in 1600 just before the big civil war in Sekigahara.

It is made when all samurai who fought in the castle committed Harakiri suicide at the last moment of the battle.

The floor board was divided into several parts and set as a ceiling of the temples.

Every morning, the monks chant Buddhism sutra, which will morn the dead.

When you visit here, you will enjoy Maccha tea and sweets viewing the garden.

Hosen-in, Ohara, Kyoto

Visit to Kyoto Japan, ( Introduction of myself )

 I start the blog to introduce hidden Japan, Kyoto, and surrounding area, where I live. As a tour guide, I will tell you secrets of charming places in Japan.

I am a government licensed tour guide. I conducted the tour over 180 tours annually. I met many people from various parts of the world. It is much fun!!

Now because of covit-19, I have a quiet time. Making use of this quiet time, I would like to introduce each place in Kyoto, Shiga and more.

I was born and raised in Kyoto for almost all of my life. I know every corner of the city ,not to mention the secret of Kyoto and hidden charm.

I would like to give more information to help you when you visit Japan