I mentioned yesterday that the second day was the most fun and thats because…
We rented bikes! Riding this rickety old bike around Kyoto was probably one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done in a while! It was a little nerve wracking riding on the left side of the rode, with the cars, with no helmets, and a bike that was in fairly bad shape—but it was pretty thrilling too. I highly recommend you do this if you come here. Our hostel rented them out for 500yen ($5) a day. I just learned that you can rent bikes in Tokyo for $5 a week too!
^Kiyomizudera. This is the one place in Kyoto from my daytrip two years ago that really stuck out in my head – and I liked it just as much this time. Its very touristy but the temples right in the forest are gorgeous and the souvenir town nearby is really fun to walk through.
Ahh I should renounce my worldly life and come live in the mountains here.
We stopped for a snack at a little restaurant that seemed to be inside the temple grounds, before heading back to the busy street area.
This is Tokoroten. Its a noodle made from agar (seaweed, if you will) and contains no calories! They served it here cold in a vinegar-y broth with a dab of mustard. Delicious and refreshing!
A grown-up Geisha posing in a little photo shoot.
Isn’t this area charming?
These girls are Maiko - a status level one step below that of Geisha - they're almost there!
A Studio Ghibli store
An omiyage (souvenir) shop
Mango mochi samples - the great thing about flavors in Japan is that they actually taste like they should. Mango mochi tastes like mango, canteloupe high chew tastes like canteloupe. Its an amazing concept American candy producers really ought to get in on.
Iced Matcha - this gave me a fun little caffeine boost.
After Kiyomizudera we rode to Ginkakuji – the Silver Pavilion. Since it was undergoing renovations we decided not to pay to see it and L used her saved money to buy a cream puff even though she was most definitely not hungry. : )
Then we rode around the Imperial Palace before heading back to the Nishiki Market area..
A perfect day!
Have you been to Kyoto or thought about going? Its quite different from Tokyo so it was nice to have that experience.
*click images for full view please!
Again such beautiful photos! I haven’t been to Kyoto since I was little but I hope to go back in November when I will be back in Japan for a few weeks.
Ooh I can’t wait to see the photos you post when you do!!
Ooooh I loved that temple when we visited!!! We had the best mochi there, and I took a picture with a maiko (which was really silly but sort of cool, too!).
I would be terrified to ride bikes there, too – good job for getting risky!
Ahhhh!
Kyoto<3
You're making me all nostalgic (like that never happens normally….)
I went there 3 times while I was in Japan.
The best guesthouse/accomodations in Kyoto are IchiEnSou in Gion.
Amazing. Stay there next time!
Book on hostelworld.com
I never visited Ginkakuji,
but I went to Kinkakuji twice and Kiyomizu 3 times.
Kiyomizu and Yasaka Shrine are my favorites. I visited Yasaka like 5 times while I was in Kyoto, because it was literally 5 minutes from my hotel in Gion!
I went at the beginning of December which (unknown to me) is the BEST time for autumn colors in Kyoto! It was gorgeous and I took 2394908 pictures.
I'll eventually get those uploaded on here!!
I don't work the next 3 days, so I have time to do things!! I worked/was at school for 8 hrs the past 3 days, then had 3 hours of play practice each night. Man!!
good i’m looking forward to seeing those pictures! you have so much time you better put them up! : )
hi I love your blog, kyoto is so beautiful =]
and your pictures too
thank you I really appreciate it! : )
Ps…
When I was at Kiyomizu for the first time,
I saw a man dressed up as a geisha.
Yes, really.
……..
Only in Japan!
OMG Allison everytime I come to your blog I’m absolutely amazed by all of the wonderful pictures but also really jealous, hahaha
hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan!!
the gentleman sitting next to the elderly geisha is wearing 新撰組 colors. looking back, they were kind of like a state sanctioned gang. gang, like bang bang.