Kyoto Trip: Arashiyama, Kinkakuji and Kiyomizudera

Arashiyama

Out of the 5 days we were in Kansai, only 1 day was good sunny weather so we decided to visit Kyoto. The skies were beautiful finally after days of cloud and rain. Our first stop was Arashiyama to visit the temple garden and bamboo forest.

Love the view because I don't get to see the sky at all from my flat in Singapore...

This is Togetsukyo, which is a bridge that crosses the Oi River.

It was completed in 1934, very sturdy and blended well with the river, Arashi mountain and skies.

Can't stop taking photos with the rare blue sky and clouds~

Arashiyama: Tenryuuji

One must visit Tenryuuji or Tenryuu Temple when you visit Arashiyama. The sign says that the red leaves are in their peak.

You have to pay 500yen just to enter the garden and additional 100yen to go inside the temple. I recommend topping up to 600yen so you can see both inside the temple as well as the garden.

Somehow the garden's red leaves didn't seem to be in peak as claimed. Maybe due to the long days of rain that had beaten the red leaves to the ground or even before they turn red.

Koi fishes though were lovely. Reminds me of otters that ate them in Singapore... haha...

There were so many people it almost felt irritating and unable to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the zen garden.

Only looking at the pond and koi fish was somewhat smoothing. I definitely prefer visiting off-peak season.
Official website: http://www.tenryuji.com/en/

Arashiyama: Bamboo forest (chikurin)

There is a backdoor that goes to a decent sized bamboo forest with lots of people too. Bamboo in this season appeared dull compared to the time I visited during late summer in 2012.

I wasn't aware that the rickshaw pullers from the town outside will pull tourists right into the bamboo forest. We were amazed that there was a female rickshaw puller. P.S. Rickshaw pullers at Kyoto are rather handsome and muscular :P

Arashiyama: outside

We wanted to go to Kinkakuji so we exited through the other side and found a nice scenic path down.

Homes here have gardens that they grow fruits, especially yuzu (citrus fruit).

Kinkakuji

Kinkakuji is one of the must-visit temples in Kyoto because well... everybody loves GOLD right? The admission costs 400yen and the ticket is an interesting charm that is supposed to give you good luck. I wonder if it only lasts till end of the year...hmmm (refer to my comic strip:
Japanese charms omamori from temples and shrines)

It looks the same as 3 years ago! Gold-plated :)

There were stalls selling snacks around the exit so I bought this Matcha soft cream as we were really hungry. It was yummy!

Not too sure about this black bun...

Inside is okonomiyaki...um... too salty I think.

Official website of temple (in Japanese only): http://www.shokoku-ji.jp/k_about.html

Kiyomizudera

Another must-see temple in Kyoto is Kiyomizu Temple. The admission fee is 300yen and they will ask everyone to leave by 5.30pm for the night-time visit during fall season. It will cost another 400yen for a new ticket to enter after 6pm to see the night illumination.

The temple is famous for the wooden structure below its main stage that does not uses any nails. Leaves are beginning to turn colour but not really that red.

I tried to "drink" from the fountain this time. If I remember correctly from my study tour guide 3 years ago, each represents different aspect: health, study and love life. I wasn't sure which represent which so I just drank from the first available fountain slot. If you drink from all 3, you are considered greedy and not good instead.

There were so many people queuing to go up on our way down as the gate closes to prepare for night entry. We didn't want to re-enter because of the disappointing red leaves and save our 400yen for dinner instead.

Official website: http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html