Lost In Japan

Today was our last day in Kyoto. Leaving out plush hotel room, we made our way to the front counter where we could leave out bags for the day. Breakfast was yet again at a French inspired bakery. After breakfast it was a subway train to the next stop east of our hotel, then a bus ride north to the Ginkakuji temple. This temple was built by the grandson of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Who built the Kinkaku temple, and in our opinion this temple was so much better, even though it was under renovations. We observed temple workers neatly moulding sand sculptures, walked through the moss covered gardens and perused the gift shop. Outside the temple, we walked down the main street which was lined with shops. Tara looking for gifts and myself trying some cooked ’stuff’ on a stick which actually tasted like shit to be blunt and ended in the bin. Tara got herself a 4 flavoured ice cream, one being green tea. I got myself an iced green tea which wasn’t exactly that sweet.

After the temple we caught another bus, a brief walk and then onto a 1 car train/tram further north where we arrive at the base of the mountains in the north east area of Kyoto. To visit the top of the mountain we needed to catch the cable train, and a connecting cable car. Once at the top we find out that we have to pay more money to visit the gardens and cafe area, the view alone was worth it. The main lookout had views to the east where we could see Moriyama. We took a walk through the gardens, but decided that we could hold off eating until we made it back to Kyoto city area as the menu prices seemed to match the altitude. I noticed what seemed to be a rundown building off to the side of the mountain. Looking through the cameras zoom lens I could spot people picnicking on the deck of this building. A short but very steep walk down the hill took us to an abandoned artificial ski field. Of course I found myself in photography heaven, spending some time snooping around clicking.

After the climb back to the top, we decided to head back down the mountain, this time using the cable car on the other side of the mountain, however we had to catch yet another bus which would take us to the cable car station. The view down was as amazing as the view going up. Along the way we passed through a lengthy tunnel and also to shrine/temples which had their own cable car stations.

At the bottom we caught another bus to take us to Hieizan Sakamoto station, which we then caught a train to Kyoto station. After trying to find somewhere nice for dinner the night before, we thought we’d try out luck again. We found a restaurant towards the top of station/mall with a decent view of the city and tower. The food was a little expensive, we paid around 40 bucks for not a great deal of food, nether the less it was still tasty. I wasn’t entirely sure everything we had ordered made its way out of the kitchen.

Next it was time to head back to our hotel, via the subway, where we collected our bags and headed back to Kyoto to catch our Shikansen back to Shin-Osaka. A subway train back to a very familiar Tanamichi4-chome station, on the way to our also familiar hotel, Weekly Mansion. Along the way we stopped in at the 99 yen shop (which is like 7/11 but most items and 99 yen), where we picked up a few supplies for dinner and breakfast. Our room was 1 floor down from our original stay, with the room being in the exact same position, size and shape, however this time we were left without an internet connection. Tara fell asleep watching a Japanese dubbed movie. After I headed out to get some more milk as the milk Tara had bought for breakfast was sour (probably because it said sour on the carton, but we can’t read Japanese). I then fell asleep in front of the TV. End of day 12.

Highlights:
1. Cable trains and cars.
2. Abandoned ski resort.
3. 1 Carriage train/tram.
4. Ginkakuji temple.
5. Finding ‘cider’ lollies (lemon flavoured sour things)
6. Crazy French inspired gardens and art gallery.