Day 7 - Kyoto

My flight was on the mid night from Kansai Airport, hence there was one last chance for sightseeing. 

To-ji was not in my initial itinerary but its close proximity from Kyoto Station encouraged me to visit. One can either walk 30 minutes to the temple, or take the Private Kintetsu Local train to Toji station, which is just one stop from Kyoto Station. From there is about 10 minutes walk. 

 

Kintetsu Limited Express - The train that bought me from Nara to Kyoto, in retrospect.

Kintetsu Local Train - ahead to To-ji.

Kyoto - A typical Japan's street. Clean and Organised.

Lawson Convenience Store (Not an advertisement)

Back alley

 Entrance fees is JPY 500. To-ji is famous for its 5 stories pagoda behind a lotus pond garden. Unlike Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, the pond garden is accessible to public through the narrow pathway, which is a delight. By exploring around the garden, I particularly enjoyed how its abundant natural and man-made properties offer a kaleidoscopic way to view the temple. Ignoring its historical background, the view alone is what beautifully distinguished itself from Kofuku-ji in Nara.

Partial Pagoda shyly hiding behind the trees

Facing the other side

Pagoda on a closer look

Pagoda in full view

Not just pagoda - Kodo Hall (left) and Kondo Hall (right)

One last glimpse of the pagoda before exiting.

Something modern - Chill out at Kyoto Station before departing to Airport

Epilogue

Upon completing my blog, it was rather amazing to realise the story of Japanese garden beauty had dominated my blog. I did not plan beforehand to talk so much about it, but I must admit the experience gained around these celebrated gardens is profound. I am a mediocre photographer, but it can always appeared nicely my photos. Just imagine how the professional can do. Of course, Japan has more to offer - reliable and extensive transportation system made all these possible, elegantly packaged Japanese food-based souvenirs, amiable locals who make u feel blended in and many more. In fact, just go into the convenience shop is a delight if you are curious enough.

It was not surprise the moment I boarded the plane back home, I start to plan my next trip here, in near future.

Day 6 - Kyoto

I only visited the Kyoto Imperial Palace in day 6 before heading for shopping and exploring in and around Kyoto Station. Access to the vicinity of Kyoto Imperial Palace is limited and advance reservation with the Imperial Household Agency is required. I highly recommend to sign up for the English tour, which runs twice per day for free serving as an interesting platform to learn about Japanese History. The tour runs for one hour, but only allows you to look into the building from open space around the palace complex. Below is the URL for reservation:

 http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/

Kyoto Imperial Palace is modest. Do not expect the usual UK's Buckingham Palace or China's Forbidden Palace. It is not exactly grandeur, lack sophisticate facade and one cannot spot any trace of shiny precious metals ornamenting those wooden buildings externally nor internally. What defines its value is its role as the official residence of Japanese Imperial Family and court nobles for almost 500 years from 14th century to 19th century. Of course, there is always a la Japanese Garden around the complex, which sometimes occupies more camera's memory card space than the palace structures. 

Peep from the Jomei-mon - Shishinden. This was the hall which the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Taisho and Showa was held

Corridor of Jomei-mon

Kenrei-mon - Gate only allow for Emperor of Japan and foreign head of state to enter

Oikeniwa Garden - Built for strolling but off limit to visitors

Oikeniwa Garden from different angle

Osuzumi-sho - The Summer Palace

Kogo-sho - Venue of the Kogosho Conference which inaugurated Meiji Restoration

Sadly to say that I had distracted by the fascinating view of the garden and forgotten the name and the function of some gardens and halls I passed by, which explained the lack of caption in these pictures.

There are 3 more Imperial properties in Kyoto, being Sento Imperial Palace, Katsura Imperial Villa and Shugakuin Imperial Villa, which are also open for reservation but the tour is conducted in Japanese. I should have visited those despite the language barrier. 

Day 5 - Kyoto

I arranged my trip based on type of transportation. 1st day at Kyoto encompassed sights accessible by bus and 2nd day subway. Therefore, I bought the one-day subway pass at JPY 600.

Main highlight of day 5 was a trip to UNESCO World Heritage site - Nijo-jo (Castle). It was within the walking distance from Nijo station and cost JPY600. This is a flatland castle, resembling a fortified palace for families of Tokugawa Shogunate and subsequently Imperial members.  There was a castle keep but destroyed by lightning in the 19th century leaving just the foundation. A very distinctive feature of Nijo-jo is the nightingale corridors in Ninomaru Palace, which squeaks upon impact from footsteps. This is a type of primitive alarm, able to warn occupants if there was intruders during the night. Surrounding the palace is Ninomaru Garden, a standard Japanese landscape garden featuring carefully arrange rocks and trees around or on a pond.

An Introduction - A corner sentry on the outer wall

The main gate - Higashi Ote Mon

Ninomaru Palace - Also appeared in Fridge Magnet, Key Chain, Postcards etc

The side of Ninomaru Palace

Ninomaru Garden - Get enough these pictures and one can start make calender.

Neither DSLR nor advance photography skills is required to capture the beauty of Japanese Garden

Inner Moat

Seiryu Garden - Constructed in 1965, lack of historical aura but rich with scenic beauty

Sorry, it's neither autumn nor spring. Imagine how its beauty can be amplified during cherry blossom or red leaves.

I visited Nishiki Market in afternoon as well as Nishi and Higashi Hoganji (Temple)  afterwards. I loved this clean market which sells all sorts of marine products, dried foods and snacks. Did a little shopping here before heading to the temples.


Nishi and Higashi Hoganji is located not far south from Kyoto Station, and be reached within 20 minutes by foot. These two temples are less popular and spectacular than the temples from previous days, but it is less crowded, thus giving more space to examine the design of the wooden structures if it interest you. If you have extra time, why not? After all, the admission is free.

Nishi Hoganji - Probably the absence of any Japanese Garden diminishes its popularity.

The dragon pool? It's for washing hands, not for drinking.