It's Christmas Eve!
The bus reached Kyoto at 8am. We saw another fast food restaurant right opposite the Kyoto Station called the NAKAU and we were kind of hungry. I'm not really used to an early breakfast, but I did not regret going there.
Curry again but I asked for udon this time. Mum was still stuck with her gyudon, and she just loved those pink pickled ginger.
We were on a very low and fixed budget so we were trying to survive with these cheaper fast food places and when all else failed at least we still had the Kombini (convenience stores like Lawson, Kiosk, Family Mart, am/pm, 7-Eleven, etc)
Refreshed and much more awake, we went back to Kyoto Station and looked around in some of the shops. There were so many things there and they sell these Omiyage (souvenir) in forms of foods and sweets and various types of things. By the way their Wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets) were exquisite!
Wagashi of the season
Purses and pouches etc
Keychains
Origami
Kokeshi wooden dolls and porcelain ones below
T-shirts!
These beautiful fans cost a bomb.
Kyoto Tower!
We used a very simple map mum printed out to look for the TOMATO Guest House. It was really cozy inside.
OK now to Kinkakuji! A building covered with gold leaf. A beautiful sight!
A stone pagoda
These are green tea flavoured Dango! (glutinous rice)
To Ryoan-ji next! There were a lot of people there but the rock garden still calmed us.
Mini version of the rock garden
The interior of the tea room looked real cool!
On the way to the bus stop we had a Usagi Manju (rabbit shaped red bean bun) and we went to Ginkakuji!
Unfortunately the building was having some renovation work done so it was all covered up.
Here's how it actually looked like (a poster they put up in front of the current building).
This is the Ginshadan (silver beach). The pile of sand shaped like a little mountain at the back represents Mount Fuji, and the big one in front represents waves of the ocean (I hope I didn't misinterpret)..
Wooden tablets
Make a wish and throw a coin.
On the way back we stopped for a matcha cream puff.
We also ate some senbei! So fresh!
The last destination for today is Gion! I've always wanted to have a look at this place. I really enjoyed being there and seeing so many of the old traditional houses along the streets was such a happy thing. Many geishas and maikos usually go about. I got to see a few of them but I did not take any photos, I wasn't really sure if I was allowed to. *admiration*
We passed by a Japanese opera theater. Those wooden tags up there are the names of all the shows available, I think, or the many performers.
We bought some instant noodles and a tasty chicken karaage stick from LAWSON. We got back to TOMATO Guest House and checked in.
Nice tatami room!
Nice bathroom!
We even "grilled" our socks with this thing hehe! Ok shh.
Alright lights out.
Merry Christmas!
End of Day 2.
No comments:
Post a Comment