Solo Travel: Japan part two
Do forgive me for the long gap between first post and the rest. I am terribly good at procrastinating ^^;
Here it comes the latest installment of my Japan trip 2012.
Day Two: Nara - Kyoto
The second day was intended to visit Nara while on the way to Kyoto. I got a little lost while at Namba Subway underground station, looking my way for JR Namba (subway and JR station are connected but it's quite vast underground so you have to pay attention). It was so early there were not many people there.
I like Japan train system. I used to think that I'd get lost somewhere in there, because their subway and train map is so confusing like spider web. But I turned out okay. I'm also amazed at the queue. They stand in line one by one, each behind another person. Not grouping on the platform door. Not only for the train, but how they queue everywhere for anything. Really.
Anyway, I got off at JR Nara Station, not that far away from Osaka. Dropped my suitcases on the coin locker, and off to explore the small ancient town. If you want easier access you should use Kintetsu Nara line, but since I was traveling with JR Pass, I intended to use it to the fullest and used JR instead. From the station, I hopped the loop bus and got off at Todaiji Temple.
Here's the picture of the city loop route on the bus station. There are blinking lights indicating the current position of the bus.
There are diagram with pictures of city's attraction so you don't get lost. Actually, they have information like this almost in every exit of the stations everywhere all around Japan to make it easier for tourist.
Nara has a lot of wild deers, so do be careful of them. There are even signs on the road.
Beware of the deers because they can: bite, kick, butt, or knock down you!
I got there pretty early in the morning, around 9 or 10ish. So there weren't many visitors yet and the deers were still grouping under the trees, the shops weren't open either. There were only groups of school students with their teachers. Joshi kousei!! (unfortunately I didn't buy anything resembles those uniforms, now I look at it and I want!)
The main hall of Todaiji Temple that houses the world's largest bronze Buddha statue (Daibutsu).
It is believed that those who pass through this hole will be blessed with enlightenment in their next life. But it's even hard for kids to pass ^^:
Because I need to catch my train (and packed itinerary) to Kyoto, I headed back and skipping the Kasuga Taisha shrine. Partly because I saw an uphill journey from the entrance, and I don't think my feet will manage those climb in short amount of time :p
Slept a little on the way to Kyoto and arrived in the third floor of the station. I'm once again amazed, how can I be on the third floor while not feeling the train moving up. But that's technology. Anyway, I stumbled a bit finding my way to the lobby and the main entrance of the station (that's facing Kyoto Tower), and be wow-ed in progress. I heart Kyoto St.! The construction was so beautiful.
So I dragged my suitcases in broad daylight on a very hot and humid summer day, finding my way to the inn. They said it's just across the famous Higashi Honganji temple, near Kyoto St. Little did I know that the temple complex was so huuuggeee. And what you see as 'near' in google maps wasn't that 'near' in reality. My accommodation in Kyoto was a traditional inn with tatami room and futon. The landlady of Guest Inn Chita was very kind and speaks English, she was very helpful and cheerful. It felt warm greeted by her after a long day walk traveling alone :)
From there I dropped my luggage and went back to Kyoto St. to buy lunch and Kyoto Bus Pass. It was 500 Yen unlimited bus ride for the whole day, activated the first time you tapped the card onto the bus. They even gave you a map with all the attractions and the bus number. Head here for more info.
The bus station was sooooooo crowded, the line was soooooo long, but I managed to get into one and headed to Kiyomizu Temple. It was a loooonnng way up climbing from the bus stop to the temple. Actually, since I can't really read kanji, I just did what everybody else do when getting off the bus. I just followed the crowd, and when they walk this road uphill, me too. There are a lot of shops on the way, but not everything is cheap (hey, this is Japan!). After what seemed like a loooonnnnggg walk, I finally see the temple. I rested a bit near the top before the entrance and eat dango & kakigore because it's more climbing to reach the temple.
In front of the temple entrance, there is a small Zuigudo Hall to enter if you dare. It's a walk through the mother's womb, it's said. It's pitch dark inside and you can only walk the steps carefully holding onto a rope. It symbolized how you go through the womb until finally you go out and see the world.
The view from uphill. The city looks far far away. Hooray to myself for climbing up so far!
Behind Kiyomizu's main hall, there's Jishu Shrine famous for its love stone. It's said that if you can walk from one stone to another with eyes closed, you'll have good luck in love.
Didn't try it though, it was too crowded (summer holiday season). I did buy myself a love charm though (since this is the shrine for matchmaking and love). It's written 'yorokobi' on it :) Pretty darn expensive too, love charm was one of the most expensive (and best seller). Didn't try my luck this time because I did take one on Nara and I think you're not suppose to have different reading on the same day.
Caught a glimpse of a maiko down the road. This is a random girl who's taking picture with her. I didn't get into the line to take picture with her because I need to catch the time to the other attractions.
I also took turns in sipping the water from the well on the bottom of Kiyomizu. There are three wells that symbolize longetivity, wealth, and love. But you're not supposed to drink from all three, just choose two instead because otherwise it's considered greedy. I chose love and longetivity (or was it wealth? I forgot :p).
Climbing down (finally, ha!) from Kiyomizu, after a soft ice cream stops and cute souvenirs shopping (this alley is mochi heaven!), I took a few walks down the Path of Philosophy that can connect to Ginkakuji Temple. But my feet was too tired from all the climbing, and the sun was too hot. I got back and continued by bus.
Spotted a Totoro shop & cafe while walking down Kiyomizu. Since I couldn't make it to Ghibli Museum (closed on the day I'm in Tokyo), this pretty much satisfied me.
Bear family spotted fishing on the river along the Path of Philosophy :)
Ginkakuji Temple with lake surrounding it. Beautiful!
Zen Garden around Ginkakuji. How can people make garden like this (or to call it garden) is beyond me...
Next stop in my itinerary was Kinkakuji. But unfortunately I took the wrong bus so by the time I got there it was already closed. Then I hop the bus again to Arashiyama, but I took the wrong bus again and ended up near Gojo Karasuma. Me and my fear of getting lost in Tokyo underground.. huh! In reality I got lost riding the wrong bus! in Kyoto! In my defense, the number is correct but the road is the other way around ^^;
But the legend of how kind Japanese people are, is totally true! An old man who can't speak much English was trying to help me when I realized I was lost in the bus. The driver who's changing shift also bothered to tell the next driver to direct me when to stop. And there was this lady who was so kind, coming from the back of the bus asking me how could she help (in good English) and trying to translate the direction from the driver. There are still so many good people in this world :)
So I stopped near Gojo, found myself in a street full of shopping paradise and department store. Found a way to Nishiki Market but they're already closed too, so I walked and walked around and found Sukiya! Japanese curry rice is the best, I tell you!
Kyoto Station has this water dancing fountain in front of it at night for free!
That was pretty much the long and tiring adventure on day two in Japan. Oh I think I did took a visit to Higashi Honganji Temple, but it was mostly under renovation and there was some kind of group inside they were sitting and listening someone speaking (i think a group of tourist and their tour guide?) but I couldn't understand a word so I just strolled the souvenir shop (and information center as one) and leave.
Despite my getting lost, Kyoto is such a lovely city!
Next: Getting lost (again) in Arashiyama, and finally on to Tokyo!