Kyoto, Japan (Part 2)

Day 2 : Arashiyama

• Arashiyama (translated as ‘storm mountain) is situated at the outskirts of Kyoto and is famous for the Tenryuji Temple (Dragon Temple) and Sagano Romantic Train. To get there, take JR Sagano line (山陰本線) from Kyoto station to Saga Arashiyama (嵯峨嵐山). Notable tourist spots are:
  

  

  
  • Togetsukyo Bridge (渡月橋) – take bus no.28 from the train station and get off in Arashiyama Park(嵐山公園)
    

    

    
  • Tenryuji Temple (天龍寺) – just a few minute walk from the wooden bridge. The ‘Dragon’ Temple is famous for its original formed landscape garden and the bamboo groves behind the temple (North Exit) and along the trail to the Okochi Sanso (a traditional house, previously occupied by a Japanese silent screen legend)
    

    

    

    

    

    [ Part of the zen garden ]

    

    [ Bamboo grove ]

• Take the 20-min scenic Sagano Romantic tram ride – it’s full of natural scenic view of the Hozu river. The tram departs hourly from Saga & Arashiyama Station.
  

  

  

  

  [ You can take the boat back to the station ]

• Back to Kyoto and take metro to Kawaramachi for Nishi-market – one of my favourite things to do when travelling is to visit local markets and try the local produce. Nishi-Market located near Daimaru Department Store opens from 11:30am – 11:30pm is a long strip full of fresh and dried food and home ware stores. One of the must buy item is matcha tea powder.
  

  

  [ Fish monger ]

  

  [ Tea shop ]

  

  [ Fresh mushrooms and vegetables ]

  

  [ Fresh wasabi ]

• Dinner in Kyomachiya Suishin (京町家) – Kyoto is full of restaurants specialized in Kaiseki (traditional banquet style meal) meals but they are usually quite expensive. Kyomachiya Suishin offers affordable Kaiseki set. We had ten courses including sashimi, pickled vegetable, soup, tempura, grilled beef, steamed fish, rice and dessert. All were dainty but tasteful and presented very well. I really enjoyed the experience. The restaurant is located almost at the end of the busy restaurant street Pontocho-dori.
  

  

  [ Pontocho-dori ]

  

  [ Sashimi and Kyoto famous beancurd sheet ]

  

  [ Grilled beef and seasonal vegetables ]

  

  [ Crunchy tempura ]

  

  [ Sashmi on rice ]

Day 3

• Kinkakuji 金閣寺 – The ‘golden roof’ temple could be reached by bus no.101 or 205 (30 mins. from town). A very beautiful temple with grounds full of Zen gardens. There is a very cute outdoor tea house (sekka-tei) near the exit of the temple where you can try matcha tea and traditional sweets.
  

  

  [ The Opulent Golden Temple ]

  

  [ Outdoor tea house ]

• Before boarding your train back to Osaka/Tokyo, make sure to grab a bento box in the train station. Most restaurants offer packed lunch to take-away.
  

  

  [ My bento box ]