Tuesday 28 February 2012

Exploring Kyoto: Impressions of Japan's Former Capital City

Tourist dressed as Geisha as part of the Geisha experience
I made my way to Kyoto late last week after a few days in Osaka. Kyoto is such an enchanting city. I didn't have enough time to explore it all but spent hours admiring the district of Gion, sampling Japanese treats in the Nishiki Market and trekking through the maze of torri at the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Here are just a few pictures from my short trip. I hope you all enjoy.


A blowfish mobile outside of license blowfish seller at Nishiki Market
Various utensils and bowls used during a traditional Japanese tea ceremony
The cabs in Kyoto have different symbols which stand for different companies
Tea kettle at my breakfast table during my first traditional Japanese breakfast
Charming street on my way to Gion
Once in Gion, it was as if you were transported back in time
These are Kukurizaru, a hanging monkey ornament which can be found at Yasaka Shrine
No idea what kind of plant that is, but I like the shot
The tourist during their geisha experience, they were waiting for their photoshoot
Spotting a real geisha in Gion is a treat. I didnt see any that day :/
View of the Kyoto Wooden pagoda in the distance and one of the narrow streets of Gion
Rickshaw taking a break
Woman in a kimono rushing down Ishibe Koji, a narrow ally in Gion
Mani Wheels, you walk around rotating them with your hands, saying a prayer or wish
Fushimi Shrine guardian fox overlooking one of the giant torii while holding a key
One of the many wishes left at the shrine written on small wooden torii
Colorful folded cranes at the shrine, folding 1000 cranes is meant to cure sickness
Some of the thousands of torii gates that make up the Fushimi Inari Shrine
So there you have it. Just some of my pictures from Kyoto. I could have written a novel but a picture is really worth a thousands words. There is so much history and tradition that I have learned about during my time here! Be prepared when I get back to Berlin to read more about shrines and the different ritual surrounding the prayers and wishes, very fascinating. I also have to write about my accommodations, the food that I sampled and my cooking course! Ah, so much to share!!

If you have any questions about my pictures or trip to Kyoto, feel free to ask in the comment section. 

If you haven't already be sure to like me on facebook where I upload pictures in real time during my trip. Also enter my #LUXETokyo Giveaway!!


16 comments:

  1. Love the Pics..can't wait to go one day

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so glad I decided to go. If I get another chance at Japan I will go when its warmer, the weather was really trying to test me.

      Delete
  2. lovely, nice to know you are having agood time

    ReplyDelete
  3. AGghhhh! Is it April 1 yet??? I can't wait to get to Japan. Loving the pics!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. girl, your trip is going to be great. cant wait to keep tabs on your RTW on your blog. how active are you going to be? RTW tend to get pretty popular

      Delete
  4. Great shots! I wish you would have gotten to see the Maiko and Geisha. Usually you have to wait in Gion around 1600-1700 to see them leaving for their appointments. Did you try the green tea ice cream in Kyoto? What flavors of Kit Kat have you picked up thus far?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. no icw cream for me, it was cold! ah by 4 i was somewhere around the shrines of eastern gion i think and freezing :) i picked up green tea, blueberry cheesecake, strawberry and melon. i have a ton of them, i am not that big of a fan they taste very artificial but i like the idea of them being so different

      Delete
  5. Absolutely beautiful! And WOW at the rickshaw...I thought those were obsolete!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha well its a gimic really. i was suppose to go on a ride during a kamakura tour but it was snowing that day, and i couldnt have some man dragging my through the city in slush. i think his pride was hurt a bit but i was like dude, no.

      Delete
  6. Kyoto was my favourite of the cities I visited when I went to Japan. These photos are bringing back great memories and making me what to go back soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i hope to go back but in few years. im still recovering financially from this trip :)

      Delete
  7. Lovely photos! Kyoto is on my ever-growing list of places to visit asap. I was mesmerised by tales and pictures of the cherry blossom season years ago.
    So beautiful.x

    ReplyDelete
  8. I completely second your thought. There is no doubt about that your ides is absolutely on spot and followers will have advantage of applying this in professional life.

    ReplyDelete
  9. play bazaar satta king
    play bazaar Use the restroom when you feel the urge to prevent hemorrhoids. "Holding it in" causes problems as stools accumulate and become harder to pass.

    ReplyDelete