Blogs from Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan, Asia - page 11

Advertisement

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto September 9th 2015

It was a slightly disorientating trip down from Tokyo. When everyone was on the bus the driver closed every curtain including the one between the passengers and himself making it impossible to see anything outside. I always like being able to see out of at least the front window but without even that I felt like I was getting a little carsick! Another surprise was the total lack of any toilet on board. It was a 10-hour journey. True, we stopped twice within the first 3 hours but that still left at least a good 7 hours without a toilet. It wasn't a problem for me but I'm sure it's caught at least a few people out and other travellers should be conscious that it's not a given! Kyoto As usual I didn't sleep a wink ... read more
IMG_0111
IMG_0126
IMG_0197

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto » Gion August 12th 2015

This was it! The cultural heart and soul of Japan. All that wide-eyed foreigners imagine when the country's name is evoked -- centuries-old temples set against perfectly manicured gardens, lantern-lined quaint alleys, white-faced geishas shuffling along in clogs...Welcome to Kyoto, another ancient capital of Japan, and culturally probably its most important. From small town Nara it was barely an hour's train ride to Kyoto, but what a difference an hour makes. Kyoto is like Nara on steroids in terms of temples and shrines. Throw in some serious nightlife and shopping malls, and maybe half of all tourists currently in the country (the other half probably being in Tokyo), and you've got yourself a real city! And to top it all off, I arrived coincidentally the week of the festival of Gozan Okuribi, a very popular week ... read more
Kiyomizu-dera
Salsa Dancing in Kimonos @ Cafe Rumbita
Nishi Hongwangji

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto August 11th 2015

Ab nach Kyoto. D sieht die Parallellen zu Videospielen immer stärker - kein Wunder, dass die meisten von hier kommen: man muss sich einfügen, wie ein Puzzleteil, sich stapeln, Taktiken und Techniken entwickeln, Systeme erkennen (Ubahn, Zutatenszusammenstellung beim Essen). Man bekommt items (Säcke in Tempeln, Zettel mit Zeichen, die man nicht entziffern kann, später dann ein Kuvert dazu - das kann man später mal brauchen, nur wofür, das weiß man nicht oder eben erst später). Immer läuft herausfordernde Musik und wenn man eine Task erledigt hat (die richtige Ubahn gefunden, die Schuhe im Tempel an der richtigen Stelle ausgezogen), erklingt sanftes Zwölftongebimmel. Kyoto scheint sehr vorbereitet auf Touristen - im Bus sagt man den halben Reiseführertext pro Station durch, die Tempelanlagen haben bunte Leitsysteme für Touristen, wie bei uns in Krankenhäusern. In Kyotos Shops ist alles ... read more
Touristen beim heiligen Pritschelritual
bunte wunschsäckchen
da hat aber jemand viele wünsche...

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto July 9th 2015

Coming up to 5 months of travelling this world of ours and the travel blues have kicked in. Having read about them I assumed it would never happen to me especially having been in the army and travelling overseas was part of the job. However Japan is a strange country and I think that this is one of the reasons for the homesickness and the need to kick it out of my system is hard. Whereas most of the other countries I have been to, you meet a lot of fellow travellers who are also travelling alone or in two's and going on long travels of around 3-6 months and seeing lots of countries. Japan on the other hand attracts mainly people who are here just for the country on holiday for a week or 2, ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto July 2nd 2015

We’ve been on the move. One cannot accuse this group of wasting any time. Each day holds a new agenda. At this point we’ve been to many parts of Tokyo on multiple trips. Bryce has taken a considerable interest in mass transit. He thinks it’s very cool! He loves looking at the subway map and signs to figure out where we are going, or even how to get back home when we are in a far-off place. He now has his own Pasmo card, which is the rechargeable subway/train pass. This is empowering for him. He goes through the stalls himself and even loves to run ahead to feel more alone and adult like. We allow it when the station isn’t too crowded so long as he’s within eyeshot of us. It’s amazing the amount of ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto June 17th 2015

Well we had an early start today to get to the Imperial Palace for the tour we booked yesterday. Now what can I say about the tour it was ok but to be honest nothing to write home about. We just toured the outside of the palace and did not take one step inside which was a bit of a shame to be honest. The sun was beating down on us and it was not much fun to be honest - good thing I brought an umbrella which keeps the sun and rain off you, as I really needed it. the only great bit was I could see one painting inside but I had to stand on one leg and balance over a rope which I am sure would have had electricity going through it as ... read more
to be honest the only good bit I saw in the Imperial Palace
The cup I threw

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto June 17th 2015

Though Kyoto is considered to be a must-visit city in Japan, it was the least favorite of my stops. I've heard that once you get into the surrounding hills/mountains, it's wonderful, but weather and time made it difficult. I did enjoy walking around the city and the Philosopher's Path was fine, but if I ever return I'll only spend time in the surrounding areas. The city itself is a wonderful place to pick up gifts and I enjoyed browsing the shops and tasting some interesting food. The temples are beautiful and interesting and important, but choosing one or two for a quick look is more than enough. It's sightseeing -- not my kind of travel -- and it reminded me of some of the fake towns in China that are built to entertain in a way ... read more
Ordinary Home
Door
Panda seats on the train

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto June 16th 2015

So wake up after a nightmare thinking about being on an escalator YES nightmare I told you I am now getting scared of suitcases and escalators whenever I see a suitcase and an escalator I start to tremble. Who would have thought me being scared would be an option but hey ho I think I need a shrink. So we go to the information desk that the ladies think Mike is Mr Bean and we ask how we get to the bus station and they tell us it is 5 minutes away over the bridge and down an ESCALATOR. So 5 minutes against our 1 1/2 hours plus a taxi yesterday trying to get to the same place now I feel like a bimbo. How could I have not got that yesterday I do not know ... read more
Nijojo Castle Entrance
Nijojo Castle
Nijojo Castle Gardens

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto » Senbon June 15th 2015

Well on the train to Nagoya and once again a smooth transition the only problem is my suitcase handle has slightly buckled when I fell on the escalator and twisted the handle but not only that have a major bruise on my bum. How can you fall going on an uphill escalator and land on your bum with your suitcase higher than you? I do not know but all I can say is I now have a fear of escalators with a suitcase, ha ha ( the full story is to come) So we arrive at Kyoto train station and Mike goes off to find out where our hotel is and off he pops to the Tourist Information desk while I hold the suitcases (with one handle a little bit out of shape!). So he comes ... read more
Taking a break on the Philosopher's Way with a beer
Miniature Cocktail for Major Cost

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto May 29th 2015

Our trip has taken us through South Korea, China, and now Japan. None of the natural beauty of the other countries has compared to what Kyoto has. Today we took a full-day tour visiting 5 different temples around Kyoto. We started in Nara (original capital of Japan) at the Todai-Ji Temple and the Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, next was Ninjo Castle, then Kinkaku (The Golden Pavilion), and we ended with the Kiyomizu Temple on the hill overlooking the city of Kyoto. Each visit was special and unique, and I would highly recommend each individually. Nara is about an hour drive outside of the city of Kyoto. It is blanketed with beautiful lush green parks and gardens and has some immaculate temples and shrines. Our first visit of the day brought much excitement -- deer were everywhere! (and VERY ... read more
DSC04214 - Copy
 Todai-Ji Temple
 Todai-Ji Temple




Tot: 0.112s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 11; qc: 77; dbt: 0.0603s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb