Sunday, January 30, 2011

Touring Kyoto: Part 1

I took tons of photos during the tour, so I'll be separating them into two parts. Our first stop was Ryoanji Temple. I was trying really hard to admire its beauty, but it was just way too cold because it was still early morning. The worst part was that we had to take off our shoes and put on slippers. U.U


There were a couple of old buildings along the way to Ryoanji Temple, including a small shop.


Looking back at the entrance to the main area.


This is the rock garden, which was said to be created at the end of the 15th century. In the spring, its background consists of beautiful cherry blossoms. ♥


Right next to the rock garden.


Tsukubai, the stone-wash basin for the tea room. It has an inscription that reads "I learn only to be contented."


On the way back, there was a lady giving out samples of hot tea. It was life-saving! (*´д`*) It was also delicious, so Take-chan bought a pack for me. ♥


Next stop was Rokuonji Temple. Its main attraction is Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion.


The 2nd and 3rd floors of Kinkakuji are covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer. Absolutely breathtaking.


Thought this looked pretty cool. ^__^


I think this waterfall is called "Ryuumon Taki."


On the way back to the bus, we found a little shop that had all these vending machines next to it. This is normal to see anywhere else in Japan, but I was surprised to find them at a temple.


At the little shop, Take-chan got us these. I forgot what it was called, but it was delicious and warm! :3 It's basically mochi with the usual sweet red beans.


Our last stop before lunch break was Kyoto Imperial Palace. This is just one of the many gates surrounding the entire property.


Here's a view of Shishinden, the most important building on the palace grounds. It was used for important ceremonies of state, such as enthronement ceremonies.


The orange accents found on the walls surrounding Shishinden were so pretty.


This is Oikeniwa Garden, which is also located within the palace grounds. It looked so beautiful, even in the winter. ^__^


After Kyoto Imperial Palace, it was time for lunch. We had quite a bit of time to kill until the next half of the tour, so we checked out some shops. Look at these adorable wine decorations! ... Or costumes, more like. xD


And that's pretty much it for the morning portion of the tour! I'll be posting the second half in a few days. (´▽`) I also got an award from Elisa. Thank you very much! ♥

36 comments:

  1. I went there too when I went to Japan!!
    I think I went to the pretty much all the big temples and palaces in Kyoto..
    I miss it so much!! I want to go back haha

    ReplyDelete
  2. I bought exactly the same tea!
    It really is delicious *w*

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aaw I miss Japan!
    Looks like you had a great time! :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. wow! Japan is so beautiful! I wish I can go there someday :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. your kyoto posts are so nostalgic! the last time i visited was about 3 years ago and ginkaku-ji was under construction. at least kinkaku-ji was pretty :D omg come back so we can shop!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. ah so that's the name of that temple! there's just something about the architecture of temples that make them so breathtakingly beautiful when i see them, i don't know how to describe it.
    lovely pictures~ and those wine decorations are so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Grace - Yay! I'm glad that you were able to see these buildings in real life! It's so hard to recapture such beauty with my digital camera.

    Yuuri - Awesome! In fact, I'm drinking it right now... xD

    Sophie - I did, thanks! ^__^ I hope you can go back soon!

    Yapo - It really is! And hopefully when you go, I'll be there too so we can meet up! :3

    Monica - Awww, I'm glad I was able to take you back to Kyoto! I really want to go to Japan again soon... In fact, my boyfriend and I want to eventually live there! Then we can finally meet each other and go shopping. xD

    Emi - Thanks for taking a look! :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. I must say! Its beautiful! I really love that about japan! Japan is a very beautiful couture ne! Did you seen soom japanese art works..? They are the boom! lucky gal!

    xoxo emimarie

    ps: love your outfit sooo kawaiii♥

    ReplyDelete
  9. SO beautiful place, the pics are amazing ^^
    Kisses

    ReplyDelete
  10. woah everything looks so pretty! kyoto is really a beautiful town and so traditional ♪
    i kind of regret it to not have gone to kyoto when i was in osaka
    it seems close T~T

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the photo's! The wine bottle holders are really cute!

    P.s. Just had to say you can't reply with a comment on your own page, best to see if the commenter has a blog herself/himself and comment there! ^^

    ReplyDelete
  12. awww you look so very beautiful!*-*
    and all the pics of kyoto are so nice, I wanna go there ;0;

    ReplyDelete
  13. You look so sweet and lovely!
    So beautifil places!
    xoxo~♥

    ReplyDelete
  14. Tea from Kyoto, I can't think of a more appropriate souvenir!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What lovely photos, you went to so many beautiful and interesting places in Kyoto. Especially that waterfall looks really mysterious XD

    Oh that red bean and mochi soup is called o-shiruko, I like it but when I tell people that their like "gross!" why?? It's good!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such beautiful pictures, it looks really lovely!

    I love that coat you're wearing, it's so cute! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  17. Japan is so beautiful! The place looks really Indian. Someday I plan to go to know! Kyoto is beautiful!

    I saw pictures of you from a friend who recently returned from Japan, was the Me2 organized by Sara Mari, who is jealous, I would have liked to go and meet all were!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wuahh! So beautiful!! I definitely want to go there next time I'm in Japan +w+

    The wine costumes are SO cute!!! And you look great as usual~

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm so jealous when i see your pictures of japan! it's so so pretty and i really want to go there some day ^^ and you're welcome about the award =D you deserve it ❤

    ReplyDelete
  20. Tricia I LOVE your outfit! You look so cute, warm and cozy ;_;

    ReplyDelete
  21. oh japan is such a beautiful place! I love the vending machine photo best :3 and the soup looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  22. awww your kyoto trip must have been amazing!❤ though it seems to have been really cold when you were there?
    anyway, you look too cute in your white coat!!(*´艸`*)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ahh, kinkakuji is really enchanting, and those drinks look REALLY good, especially for cold weather :).
    And you look so cuuute, I love your coat!

    ReplyDelete
  24. thanks for your comment sweetie❤
    I really love the coat you are wearing *_*

    ReplyDelete
  25. Looks like a fantasy setting!❤
    I just wanted to pop a comment saying ill be following your blog from nooow~

    ReplyDelete
  26. Emi Marie - I didn't get to see many Japanese paintings if that's what you meant, but it seemed like everything in Kyoto was a piece of artwork! xD

    Aiko - I'm glad you enjoyed them! :D

    Julia - I love how you can find historical buildings throughout the city. ^__^ And we actually wanted to go to Osaka since it's pretty close, but we didn't get the chance. I heard the nightlife is pretty good there!

    Rocking Doll Museum - I apologize for not following the rules of commenting etiquette, but this is just the way I like to do it. It makes sense to me since I used to be active on many forums, and I'm accustomed to keeping all related comments within the original thread (or entry, in this case). If you have a specific question to ask, please feel free to message me privately or leave your e-mail and I will send the response straight to your inbox.

    Shou - Thanks, honey! ♥

    Suzu - Awww, thank you! :3

    Jenny - Yeah! xD Every time I have the tea at home, it takes me back to Kyoto. ♥

    Sara Mari - Thanks for letting me know the name of that delicious soup! I'm sure that anyone would like it if they just tried it. ^__^

    Mika - Hee hee... Thanks! :D

    Chisa - You should definitely go and experience it at least once! ^__^ And who was your friend, by the way?

    Suteisi - Awww, thanks! :3

    Elisa - I'll be jealous when you go to Japan! xD

    Monica - Thank you so much! ♥

    Saving Capulet - Yeah, I thought the vending machines looked so cool lined up like that! xD

    Nicola - Oh man, it was extremely cold in Kyoto! I think that's why my poor boyfriend got sick. U.U But we had fun on the tour nevertheless. ^__^

    Charlotte - I could totally picture you wearing the coat! xD You'd look amazing in it too. ♥

    Mirai - Awww, thank you so much! :D

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ah, I never thought of that before, I can understand! It's only too bad I don't get a reply or something and I might forget that I comment and never read a reply :/

    Other than that, thank you very much! ^^

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you very much for understanding! And I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Just know that I always try my best to answer questions, and that I'm more than willing to e-mail you if you leave your address!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Your pics are really beautiful!! Ii know I already said that in a previous comment but I really like them! :D)
    You look gorgeous, as always! ^__^

    ReplyDelete
  30. I miss kyoto-and japan in general! :)
    i remember going to the golden shrine and eating an amazing lunch in kyoto.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Besa - Awww, thank you! You're very sweet. ^__^

    Gladys Lopez - It's great that you were able to experience it too! :D And I also miss Japan... T__T

    ReplyDelete
  32. thanks for all the nice comments :) and yes! it's a wig haha i love it because no one notices. it was pretty cheap for a wig. around $60 ;)

    ReplyDelete
  33. your post is so interesting. I love the nature scenes and I hope to visit there one day. =) glad you had fun. you look pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Monica - Wow, $60 is not bad at all! xD

    Yumiko - Thank you so much! ^__^ I'm really glad that you enjoyed my post! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  35. I went to all those places and tried to pay attention, but it was so hot and humid! Looks like we had the opposite problem, huh? XD

    It was so beautiful now that I look back at it and I wish my camera had worked. I only have 10 pictures from my whole Japan trip because my camera stoppped working after them. T^T

    ReplyDelete
  36. Yeah, the total opposite! I was so cold that I thought my fingers and toes were gonna fall off. T__T And I'm so sorry to hear about your camera! Now you have all the more reason to visit Japan again soon. ^__^

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are always appreciated! (´▽`) ❤