A big day today - sorry for all the photos - I felt so wide-eyed with so much to see and learn. All our senses were certainly satisfied today. We chose to do a Philosophers’ Walk tour today in eastern Kyoto.
It first breakfast (included) at the hotel. First time for scrambled eggs with sea urchin and eel.
Our guide was Keiji, organised through Oku, our walking company
We travelled by Metro and then walked under a large arch, when we arrived, only to find that it was an old bridge called the Keage Incline. It was built in the nineteenth century as Japan began to modernise, which held a railway line. The railway winched boats, carrying water from a large lake, to provide water for Kyoto residents. We suggested locks, like in Ottawa, might have been more efficient.
Nanzenji Temple, a former villa of Emperor Kameyama, built in 1264.
Eikando Zenrin-ji Temple, originally a training hall for priest, established in 853 AD.
This garden had thousands of maple trees.
Many sculptures representing blessings for children.
Ginkakuji Temple and World Heritage Site, was established in 1482. It is important as the beginning of Japanese culture with the simple room design and decor. It had a large dry white stone sculpture of the sea and a mountain, which reflects the moonlight on a full moon.
All hail to the gardeners in these temple precincts. Pine trees, for example, are pruned daily, removing dead fronds and leaving only upward fronds on each branch.
Some of the characters we encountered
The Philosophers’ Walk is so named because at the end of the nineteenth century university professors began walking along the canal to discuss issues and contemplate. We walked the full length from temple to temple and enjoyed the sights and people along the way.
For lunch we went to a restaurant on the canal that specialised in soba or buckwheat noodles.
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They ground their own buckwheat with an electric millstone
Soba noodles with accompaniments and tempura vegetables
Some natural wonders
Mixed - green tea and vanilla ice creams
We visited the home and museum of the artist, Hashimoto Kansetsu (1883-1945) during the height of a lightning storm.
His painting bridges eastern and western traditions. Exquisite.
A bus back to our hotel but Keiji wasn’t finished with us yet. Our hotel is across the road to a massive shopping mall - 400m north/south and east/west. After a few 1000 steps we found the old market with oysters as big as a hand.
Dinner in the shopping precinct.
Keiji recommended this restaurant for its pork fillet.
They gave you a mortar and pestle to grind up sesame seed and then you added your preferred sauce for the pork.
It’s all about toilet etiquette. So many choices, and sounds to muffle any awkward moments. The classic today was changing from temple slippers to toilet slippers to use the bathroom.
Certainly a fascinating day. Just praying we won’t have any thunderstorms on our walk, which we start tomorrow.
M&M
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