I had my first ever Japanese-styled 朝ご飯 「breakfast」 this morning, and, boy, was it filling, thanks to the miso soup (looked like aka miso, and it had enokitake and tōfu[1] in it). That was a good thing as I need the strength to face today’s South Higashiyama’s walkabout.
The queue for the no. 100 bus at Kyoto JR station was somewhat long but fast moving. If this was a week day, I wonder what Golden Week will be like in this town. Kiyomizu-dera was a charming temple up the base of the Higashiyama (Eastern mountains). The pagoda was being renovated and covered in scaffolding but the largest tiered structure was fine. Walked down Gojo-zaka and Sannen-zaka to see the most beautiful sight ever – quaint Japanese shops and houses, and the paths were filled with visitors, including locals in yukata. There were three maiko who were making the way up Sannen-zaka, who obliged to have their photos taken[2].
As I was 10 minutes from Gion, I decided to return after last night’s visit. This time, I saw more maiko who had minders with them (the real thing this time?) and there were some accompanied by a photographer and a co-ordinator (perhaps a more elaborate tourist package?). Nonetheless, Gion in the day lacked the charm I felt last night, and I just wondered if dusk was the best time to be here. Another reason[3] to come again.
Took the train from Gion down to Fushimi Inari to visit the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine with its rows of red torii (gate). The path was somewhat long and would meander up around the mountain but I wanted to try to get to Arashiyama and it was already almost 3. By the time I got back to Kyoto JR station, it was half 3 and it was kinda late.
This means trying for Arashiyama first thing tomorrow after an early check out from the hotel. Wish me luck.
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[1]The water in Kyoto is such that they are proud of their locally made tōfu.
[2]As alluded by Mooke – these girls were actually ‘tourist Maiko‘.
[3]This list of reasons is filling up quickly.
