2015-07-05, Paths of Kyoto

I finally  got back to Kyoto.  I hadn't been since the beginning of April - I really have to make it a more regular thing since it's only an hour's train ride away.  The forecast had been predicting rain until last night but although it was very humid and overcast I was lucky and dry.  The places I visited were pretty empty (I planned it that way) but even the station which is usually packed wasn't so bad today.  It may be that visitors are waiting for the huge Gion festival that will be held on the 17th and 24th.  It's always held on those dates and unfortunately they fall on Fridays this year so I won't be able to attend.  I won't miss the crowds - I think it's the most famous festival in Japan - but it would have been nice to see it.  Oh well, there will be lots of other festivals to see.

I went to Konchi-in

If you can read this it tells about making and using bamboo nails - very interesting.

These koi were begging for food like dogs.

I left Konchi-in and looked around Nanzenji but didn't go in.  I'll have to go back in the fall because there are loads of maples.

These are the old tracks that ran along the Biwa Canal.

This was unusual, the guard animals are usually dog-lions.

This shrine had mouse guards...

Next I went to Honen-in - my ultimate goal for the day.  It's up a hill and off the beaten path.

Didn't want you to think everything is beautiful... this is a typical street.
One has to learn to block out the ugly and focus on the beauty.
Probably a good rule for life in general.

I stopped at a pickle shop and picked up a package of pickled radish with yuzu.
Even though it was in sealed plastic and another bag when I was on the train home it was pretty stinky.

My last stop of the day (temple and garden wise) - Murin-an.

I really splurged today, both on paying admissions (I usually stick to the free places or 1 place with a paid entry) and on purchases.  Don't know why.

There were 2 Japanese style buildings and 1 western style building on the grounds.  

Before I went home I went in the opposite direction - to Kyoto station.  I was going to look for a woodworking exhibit - well I did look for it but didn't find it.  And I also wanted to find the import store - Jupiter - which I'd heard was in the Kyoto Station subway mall.  I found that and bought a bunch of cheese, some taco seasoning, Korean noodles and other treats.

 Some exhibits (above and below) for the Gion festival.

 The futuristic Kyoto station on a not too busy day.

Then I went in search of the good bread shop where I used to buy sandwiches for my trips back to Tokushima.  Found it, bought bread and a sandwich.  And... there was a new ice cream shop behind it which had all kinds of tea related treats.  Matcha and hojicha ice cream, shaved ice, iced drinks, etc.  It was probably the most difficult decision of the day but I opted for hojicha flavored soft ice cream in a waffle cone with azuki beans and a couple of mochi balls.  Yummy!  Sorry, no picture - to many bags to deal with one handedly...

Heading home - exhausted as usual after a day walking around Kyoto.