Setting the stage in Kyoto

[rkold]

Tuesday I went up to Kyoto so that I could make reservations to visit Shugaukin and Katsura Imperial Villas on Thursday. Since my very first trip to Japan in 1999 I'd wanted to visit the the Imperial Villas but since you need to make reservations at the Imperial Agency at least 1 full day ahead of time, I'd never actually made it. But before I went to the Imperial Agency I was determined to get in some temple stamps. lol I walked from the station to Sanjusangen-do Temple, famous for its many Buddha statues and being one of the longest wooden halls in Japan. It has this complicated system involving sand to make it so the building will jiggle with earthquakes and not break. I then walked to Yasaka Jinja, the shrine made even more famous in Memoirs of a Geisha as the shrine little Sayuri goes to and prays to become a geisha lol I'd been there before of course, but had never gotten a temple stamp. I then decided to take the train so I could try Cafe Peace, the restaurant I had just missed eating in last trip and which is supposedly the best veggie place in Kyoto. Sadly, I did not check the website first and it was.. gone, like gone gone. Of course this left me feeling pretty damn hungry, particularly so after going to the household agency and then needing to walk and find someplace! Luckily, there was the Berry Market Cafe again! Post eating I was feeling a tad exhausted so I headed back to the station to get back to where I was staying.

Wednesday was my lazy day, where I took a late train up to Osaka to scout out some of my favorite stores. I also went to my favorite veggie place in Osaka for lunch which was even better than I remembered it! I didn't actually buy that much since I was planning to go back to Osaka on Sunday for I Doll and to buy gifts for people. My one big find was surprisingly the cute Yo SD bird costume at the Osaka Volks. I'd thought it had sold out long long before.



Small temple complex across from Sanjusangen-do






As you can clearly see the temple itself was not as interesting to me as the ume lol




Part of the temple, I think it was called Yogura-in?


Pretty not yet hit by spring willow




atmospheric statues, BTW the weird refraction is caused by smoke

Sanjusangen-do does not allow pictures inside, but I would highly recommend anyone in Kyoto to visit it. Here are a few pictures of the grounds:






This is a famous well, I forgot though what it is supposed to do >>; I think sure something. ;;_;;


Toyakuni jinja where sadly I could not buy charms ro get a stamp


Yasaka jinja






The Don Quixote ferris wheel (the only one that does not scare the beejeebers out of me) from the new and finally finished bridge in Osaka. The bridge is famous but I can not spell it for the life of me, it's the one people like to jump off of into the river when the Tigers win.

Comments

I love those Plum blossoms. Wow!

[ginarolo.livejournal.com]

Cool looking stone figures. I like those little mailbox looking shines. Is it erie? Where are the people?

Re: I love those Plum blossoms. Wow!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Wait until you see the ume pictures from Sato and Katsura and Tanabe, lol I actually got a little better as I went along. I always find trying to get good flower pictures a fun challenge and I'm always pleased when they come out.

I didn't think it was eerie, but I know sometimes people do find some of the shrines and temples so.

I imagine most people are at work. lol It was like 11:00 am on Tuesday. XD; February is also a slow month because the temperatures are still in their 40's. Sanjusangen-do was crowded on the inside, but few were walking the grounds and the other temples and shrines were either pretty small ones or had large grounds.

[spiderlace.livejournal.com]

Such pretty plum blossoms! The place you visted is so tranquil <3

Ebisubashi bridge, right? I've never heard of the jumping off story but I heard it's a good place to get hit on! lol

I've always meant to ask you, randomly. Do you like natto? :D

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Wait until you see my later ume blossoms. I think I actually got better as I went along and managed to focus better. I love taking flower pictures in Japan.

I want to say it's either that or Doutembashi bridge or something like that. (if not that's the bridge one over) And yes, supposedly in 2003 when the Hanshin Tigers won fans would jump into the river from the bridge lol

I don't know if I have ever had natto XD;

[kellyhime.livejournal.com]

Butting in here, but I had to say that I love natto! I have it several times a week for breakfast or as a snack.

[spiderlace.livejournal.com]

Another natto lover! ♥ I ran out and have been lazy to go out and get some ... I wish they sold it by the barrel ;)

[kellyhime.livejournal.com]

Those Ume are just amazing! I've never seen ones like them.

Thank you so much for the sweet postcard! What a nice surprise.^_^

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Glad you got it and that it brought you a smile! :D

I might be wrong and confused and they could be Momo. lol I just know the ones in Tanabe or definitely ume cause they are famous for growing ume there. XD;

[seaster.livejournal.com]

Beautiful pictures. I think I may have to go to Japan next year for an early holiday. <3

Got your postcard too! Thank you!

...then I saw your scans. OMG Neon. Must have. *_*

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I really like Neon too, but I am still deciding if I really want him. >>; I tried to put in with WLD and will let you know how things go.

And yeah, I'm so glad you got the postcard! :D

You so should go to Japan! <3 If you wait until March you can get the start of sakura maybe and a Dolpa

[reynardine.livejournal.com]

Those plum blossoms are wonderful! I keep reading about them in Japanese poetry, but have never seen any, even in pictures. Thanks for taking those shots! :-D

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Well, they might be momo, but when I post the Tanabe ones those are definitely ume! It was wonderful taking the train to Tanabe because the countryside was full of ume in bloom and when it got dark they glowed in the moonlight!

[sephyelysian.livejournal.com]

Those are gorgeous. I love the flower and Sanjusangen-do grounds pictures best. One of the things I regret about living in Boston these days is how late Spring comes; I miss the sight of flowers blooming.

Awesome bit of luck with that Yo outfit. Who's going to be wearing it?

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I think the next round of pictures came out even better lol

Kira wants the winter coat at least, unsure about the shorts. Suzaku is prob taking the hoodie set and Lulu wants the cavity set because he is a 'ho >>;;

[jougetsu.livejournal.com]

Just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your trip pictures.