Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto and it really is worth a visit. We took a train from the central Kyoto station to get there and in just three short stops we arrived in Arashiyama, which is known for its bridge, several temples and a famous bamboo groves. First, we walked… Continue reading Kyoto: Arashiyama and the Tenryuji Temple
Author: bluebalu
Food lover, photography fan and avid traveller - living in Hong Kong since 2011
Kyoto: Yasui Konpiragu Shrine and relationships
This little shrine is tucked away in Gion and we just found it by coincidence. It is just outside the grounds of Kenninji Temple. At this shrine, you break with undesirable things – either an unwanted partner, or just some plain bad luck. You do this at this interesting looking monument. It is actually made… Continue reading Kyoto: Yasui Konpiragu Shrine and relationships
Kyoto: Yasaka Shrine
On our way back to our hotel in Southern Higashiyama we walked passed the Yasaka Shrine, which is located between the Gion District and Higashiyama District. It is considered the guardian shrine of Gion. The present buildings are from 1654. The granite toori was erected in 1666 and stands 9.5m high, making it one of… Continue reading Kyoto: Yasaka Shrine
Kyoto: Chionin Temple
We had great hopes of the Chionin temple, it was described as one of the must see sights to us. We walked through the massive Sanmon Gate to enter the grounds. Standing 24 meters tall and 50 meters wide, it is the largest wooden gate in Japan and dates back to the early 1600s. Behind… Continue reading Kyoto: Chionin Temple
Kyoto: Kodaiji Temple
After our stroll through the Higashiyama district we visit Kodaiji, which is a temple that was established in 1605 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan's greatest historical figures, by Hideyoshi's wife Nene, who is also enshrined at the temple. Kodaiji is a Buddhism temple. Its main buildings were constructed in the lavish style of… Continue reading Kyoto: Kodaiji Temple
Kyoto: Higashiyama and Senbei rice crackers
After visiting the Kyomizudera Temple we walked through the Higashiyama District. This is one of the city's best preserved historic districts. It is a great place to wander through narrow langes, with wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops. It feels a little of how Kyoto must have been many years ago. The shops and restaurants… Continue reading Kyoto: Higashiyama and Senbei rice crackers
Kyoto: Kiyomizudera temple
We landed at Osaka Kansai International Airport on a Sunday night and took a car service to Kyoto, which is about 1,5 hours away. We checked-in at the amazing Hyatt Regency Kyoto in Higashiyama and went straight to bed, to ensure we will be full of energy for the next day packed with sightseeing. We… Continue reading Kyoto: Kiyomizudera temple
Hiking: Arriving at Starling Inlet (Part 3)
This is the third and final part of our hike, which started on Chi Sum Road (here's the first part and the second part). After 12km hiking we reached the Tai Wan Bay. This is at the Starling Inlet, which is a bay in the North-East of Hong Kong. The whole body of water falls… Continue reading Hiking: Arriving at Starling Inlet (Part 3)
Food stall and mangroves
During our hike in the New Territories we passed many abandoned village houses and empty houses - there were no places to recharge your batteries by eating a snack and having a drink. However, shortly before we hit the Starling Inlet, we finally passed a little food stall that was open and in business. At… Continue reading Food stall and mangroves
Hiking: From Lai Chi Wo to Wu Kau Tang (Part 2)
This is the second part of our hike, which started on Chi Sum Road (here's the first part). After our Poon Choi lunch and silk tofu dessert we continued with our hike. We walked through the village and exited through the Feng Shui woods at the back. We walked through a forest area and crossed… Continue reading Hiking: From Lai Chi Wo to Wu Kau Tang (Part 2)
bluebalu 