Kyoto - Temples and Cherry Blossoms

We got to Kansai international airport from Shanghai. The flight was about 3 hours. We chose the day of departure because it was 10 days after I arrived in China. I did not obtain a visa before going and I relied on the 10 day temporary visitor program. It requires that you are leaving through a third country, other than China or your own. My wife and I after visiting her parents in Guiyang, chose to fly to Kyoto. You can’t fly to Kyoto. You fly to Kansai International which is on an island. Then you take a train to your final destination, Kyoto. We found the express train and bought two tickets. The machine gives each rider a regular fare ticket and an express ticket, which costs extra. The trip saves about an hour by not stopping an local stops. We arrived in Kyoto, checked into our hotel after finding our way through Kyoto train station. We did not know this, but most of the good restaurants in Kyoto are extremely small and requires advanced reservations. Unable to find a highly rated yakiniku place with room for two, we found a diner style restaurant with plenty of foreigners. We were able to order familiar japanese dishes we know from the states such as eel with rice, miso soup, and sushi. Exhausted, we get to bed and prepare for the 5 stop one day tour of kyoto the next day.

Dinner on the first night. Unaju, egg custard, pickles, soup, sushi. we ordered in english. Still wondering how to get an reservation at one of the good yakiniku spots.

Kiyomizu-Dera Temple

 

On the first stop of our tour of Kyoto, tour guide Aiko and bus driver Kyhori san brought us to Kiyomizu temple.

at the kiyomizu temple

classic shot of the kiyomizu. would not want to jump off that stage, it’s very high.

the painting of the joints in these buildings at the kiyomizu temple are colorful and very intricate

classic view of of the kiyomizu

maple leaves after the rain

copper cap with blue green patina

camelia flower

Arashayama Bamboo Forest

After lunch with our tour group, we went to the bamboo forest called Arashiyama. The bamboo was very thick and tall. The trails were wide but completely packed with tourists, including myself. There is a temple within the bamboo forest which we visited right after.

This are of Kyoto had lots of tourists and Rickshaw drivers pulling tourists around.

Arashiyama giant bamboo forest

Arashiyama bamboo forest

Tenryu-ji

Our tour guide showing us Tenryuji temple will be the next stop after walking through the bamboo forest

Lucky frog for tossing coins to in the garden of Tenryuji temple

Azelia

Weeping cherry tree

In the zen garden at Tenryuji temple, inside the bamboo forest.

Kinkaku-ji

Next stop is a three story structure, last rebuilt in 1955, which is gilded on second and third levels. The top has a phoenix representing rebirth from the fire that destroyed the last building in its place.

The tour pamphlet from Kinkaku-ji

I love the clouds reflecting in the pond in this image. The top level of the golden pavillion is shining among the cartoonish trimmed pine trees.

First level is wood and paper. Second and third level are gilded.

Another location to view Kinkaku-ji

These bushes we recognize from our local gardens in New Jersey. Used a F/22 aperture to get both the bush and the gilded building in focus.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

The next site we visited is Fushimi Inari shrine. There was a live musical / religious performance at the shrine while we visited. We did not take photos to respect the rules. Everyone was transfixed at the man playing Koto and the woman dancing in front of him. No one was looking at their phones to photograph it. In Japan, many religious sites have a no photo policy. Whereas in China, everyone took photos of everything. so we were able to take photos in Kyoto in the vermillion torii gates with names of the donors.

a big torii gate when we entered the shrine area

stone foxes guard the shrine.

Vermilion gates

Tao walking through

Day 2 - Gion

It was a long day and we both were extremely tired after finishing. We stopped at a 7-11 where we bought some beer and chicken nuggets and a rice ball. The 7-11 stores are amazing. We got some sleep for our next day which was a free walking tour of kyoto, Gion district.

Akita dogs getting lots of attention in Gion

A bridge in Gion. View partly occluded by another tourist’s head, emphasizing the absolutely packed nature of this bridge.

Kenninji Temple

Our tour guide brought us here to Kenninji temple. This temple commemorates bringing tea from china to japan. The hedges are tea plants.

Kenninji Temple. Hedges are tea plants (camelia sinensis).

Building at Kenninji temple and cherry blossoms

Hokan-ji temple (Yasaka Pagoda)

Streets in Kyoto packed with tourists

The tour this day ended in Maruyama park while the cherry blossom festival was winding down for the day. There were plenty of food vendors and a very large weeping cherry tree in the middle.

 

The Gion weeping cherry tree

In the states, I avoid takoyaki balls because I think I don’t like them. I just thought they were japanese themed hush puppies. But, they have octopus inside. So I decided that if I wanted to have a chance at enjoying a takoyaki ball, I ought to try on in Kyoto. The old man flicked 6 into a container and topped them with mayo, takoyaki sauce, and bonito flakes. So good. The inside was soft like the batter. The outside is crispy. And inside each one is an octopus surprise. Glad I tried them here.

Takoyaki balls from the cherry blossom festival in Maruyama park. 6 April 2025

Yakitori skewer purchased at the cherry blossom festival

Tao with flower blossoms in front and behind

Cherry blossom full effect

I wish we had more time in Kyoto. It’s so beautiful. we only had two days and then we went to Toyko.