A short trip in Kyoto, part2.

After I visited some places in Kyoto, I rode on a bus and went to Ginkakuji-temple. In Kyoto, there are numerous famous temples, and thousands of others. This temple is of of them.

Japanese tend to love some kind of low-key things. One reason might because it fits in the nature. Japanese traditionally live with the nature, try not destroy it as much as possible.

It's the garden of this temple. I don't know why, but there are many same style of gardens in Kyoto. I don't see this kind of style except Kyoto; looks like sands are waving and make it unique design.

They said it mixes salt in the sands so that they protect from winds and rains to collapse.

This window symbolizes a candle. Does this look like it, does it?

I received it when I paid admission fee ;)
(It was 500 yen, or about $7)

Like any other traditional Japanese gardens, it also has a small pond. Some people through coins in it. I don't know well why do it, but maybe they through with their praying; good health, longevity.

I like lichen, really...

You can climb a hill on the back of this temple. The view was good, you can hear leaves of trees singing.

Leaving from Ginkakuji-temple, I took a short walk and

arrived at Honenji-temple.

This temple was tremendously nice and beautiful. It's not popular though, you can be relaxed with silence.

Despite it's located just 10 minutes walk from Ginkakuji-temple, a famous one, I only found a few people there.

This temple also has a small pond. Those ponds always make me feel relief, if they are not beautiful then what it's like to be beautiful ?

Well, it seems to be time for lunch !

It's ochazukke ! Or rice with tea ! That time it was gorgeous. they served rice, many kinds of vegetables, eggs, and miso soup ! No need to say what taste it was ;)

Well, well, well...

It's always my great pleasure to come back to my hometown. Not like other cities, I can take some rest without thinking anything and shooting some pictures (that's my routine work, though...). Well, tomorrow I am going to visit a tiny island near Nagoya. Have a nice weekend for all of people who read this small blog :)

A short trip in Kyoto, part 1.

It's some kind of my style that I don't have any plan when I go somewhere. I just go without any information, without any particular thought. "Well, let's do it".

It was the first train in the morning. I took "Shinkansen", or bullet train that leads us from my town to Kyoto, traditional city in Japan.

Looking at sunrise from a window of the train, it only took 39 minutes from Nagoya to Kyoto. Amazingly fast, I even couldn't have a time for nap. It was about 5000 yen, or around $60 for one person, for the record :)

First place I visited was "Gion", a streets where many old houses are there.

There is nobody there since this district seems to be crowded in the ninght. I was there at 7 a.m. Everything was so fast!

I visited to Kyoto first in the morning, as I told you. I just planed "OK, I will be here by the evening". But I wasn't good mental condition at that time, so it became a half day trip.

"You went all the way to traditional, historical city Kyoto and spend a half day?!" you might think. However, it's OK, I have a chance to set foot there again soon :)

Well, Gion is really nice place. Additionally, it wasn't far from Kyoto station. You can't miss it ;)

Nice post...!

Near Gion, there is a market called "Nishiki-ichiba". Ichiba means market, so you can call it Nishiki market as well. By the way, most of stores weren't open yet at that time.

However, some stores were preparing for selling.

Kyoto is a special place and many unique foods and vegetables are available. In this picture they sell Japanese pickles.

There are a lot of pictures not uploaded yet, but those are for the next post ;)

Pasta, bicycle and something around me ;)

 

It's been three weeks since I bought my lovely new bicycle. Unlike the one which I already had, this bicycle is amazingly light, easy to start, and moreover, having lots of fun to ride.

Since I had a part-time job in the European food restaurant when I was a university student, I like cooking, especially Italian food. I converted it with Japanese food for this time; "Japanese-style vongole bianco".

You can find a lot, sometime too much, Italian restaurants here and there in this country. Pizza, pasta, risotto, and many kind of wine. Since I am not a person who drink alcohol normally, I usually cook this kind of food by myself.

I have many hobbies like cycling, cooking and so forth. But if someone ask me "What do you like the best of all your hobbies?", I could tell him or her within a second "I definitely love taking pictures the best".

Shooting photographs is something like "express myself" for me. One big reason why I started to taking pictures is simple; I can't draw. You are not necessary to be depressed because you can't draw pictures. You still can shooting photographs.

I like to think my photographs are quality pics, but it could be mere my self-opinion. That is fine even if so, I just do my best to go my way.

Anyway, my daily life changed suddenly and became quite busy there days. But, but, but. I will never stop coming back here in this blog.
So, don't forget to check my place ;)

Tsumago, old post town in Gifu prefecture.

Driving through bendy roads, it's finally there. The place called "Tsumago" or "Tsumago-juku", an old, silent place in Gifu prefecture. I love this place, near from my hometown, not so many people except astonishing autumn leaves in the fall.

During Edo-era, this town was along the main roads. People travel or bring their own stuff to sell dropped in at Tsumago and other similar towns like Magome ( I will post it with this blog in the near future.)

After Meiji-era, in the period of modernization, these old towns were almost forgotten. However, thanks for forgotten, many houses and buildings are kept well.

Look, Gifu prefecture is mountainous, seems secret place like the film in Princess Mononoke doesn't it ?

I was hungry, so...

I got green tea and traditional sweets called "Gohei-mochi", which is made of rice, and with sweet source.

From the inside restaurant. Perfect ! ;)