Day 3 - Philosopher's Path

. . . . . . The great Cherry Blossom Hunt

Our first full day . . . and surprisingly we woke up quite well!! We didn't get to bed until about 11:00pm on Saturday Night, so I think we killed off the jet lag! I woke up a couple of times but Scott slept quite well. We did have a bit of a lie in . . . but I was too excited to wait too long, so I wanted to be up and out.

So, today's plan is to do the Philosopher's Path. The path gets its name due to Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan's most famous philosophers, who was said to practice meditation while walking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University. It is also a mecca for Cherry Blossoms that cover the route. There are a load of Temples and Shrines and a park on the way . . . so plenty to do and see and we can contemplate life as we walk along!!!!

Ultimately, we wanted to finish at Kiyomizudera as during Spring they light up the Temple and have special late openings. So if we timed our walk, we should make it to Kiyomizudera in time for light up!

First stop was Heian Shrine. The Tori Gate for this Shrine is the middle of a main road and the shrine is a little way after it . . .

It's HUGE!!! We then wandered off to the Shrine - and as it was Sunday there were a lot of Christenings . . . babies everywhere in gorgeous gowns (Mam and Dad looked OK too)

I also have to say at this point  . .  . it's bloody freezing - and it keeps trying to rain but nothing was going to stop us!

We now ventured off the Path and detoured into the Kyoto Handicraft Center.  We'd been told this was a great place to do some shopping  . . .  so off we went!  The place is massive - it's on 4 floors and sold all sorts of stuff from Kokeshi dolls, lacquer Jewellery boxes, swords (!), origami paper and on one floor there was nothing but tat!!!  Great stuff . . . we were in there for ages but we didn't buy anything (might go back later in the week and indulge - but I haven't told Scott that yet!)

So, it was back on the path.  On the way back we heard a lot of screaming and shouting and banging . . .  so of we went to investigate.  We were passing the Budo Center and there was a competition going on.  

As we got to the door, a very nice man gestured that we could go inside and have a look - so without a second thought, my shoes were off and I was there!!!  I couldn't take photos inside, so I've nicked this one off Google . . .  but this is what I was faced with . . 

 

Now this picture only shows two of them, but there were at least 50 men (and some incredibly small boys) knocking ten bells out of each other with sticks!!!  I was completely fascinated!  The noise was amazing . . .  all these guys were screaming at each other and the noise of the sticks banging together. 

So, after a little detour, it's back on the Path. I have to say at this point - we haven't seen a Cherry Blossom!  Apparently we are a little early and the buggers are going to flower between the 8th and 15th . . .  great - we leave Kyoto on the 7th!!!!  Never mind - just have to see them in Tokyo instead!

Next stops were Nanzenji Temple, Shorenin Temple and Choinin Temple

This is Choinin Temple

We were getting a little 'Temple'd out' by now and were thinking of giving the next one a miss . . . but in the end we decided to go to the Yasaka Shrine as we were so close to (and it was free!!)  I am soooo pleased we went, 'cos guess what we saw . . . . Ladies!  Two Geisha were at the Temple for a blessing

The pictures aren't very good 'cos the sun was in the way - but I couldn't really ask them to move to a better position!!!!  However, I've seen two real life Geisha.  They were beautiful and so perfect - and I am soooo happy.

So now we needed a sit down and a cuppa . . . . which was handy as we are now in Maruyama Park.  This is a large park that is incredibly popular during the Cherry Blossom season.  There are a lot of Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) parties held here every year.  People reserve a piece of blue tarp on the ground, then go with all their friends or family and have a party.  However, today it was a bit quiet as the bloomin' cherry blossoms aren't blooming!

There were a few people partying  . . .  but I think it's supposed to be a LOT busier than this!

This is a very famous old tree in the park. . .  it's supposed to look like this:

However, today it looks like this . . . 

And again I say . . . bugger!

Anyway - back to our cuppa . . . . in the park there are dozens of vendors and little stalls selling all kinds of food and drink, so we picked on and asked for two hot coffees (you have to ask for hot or else you get iced!).  This is what we got . . .

 A can of hot coffee.  Now personally I have a strange 'love' of vending machine coffee, and thought this was great - however Mr Nescafe wasn't impressed at all!!  Don't know what his problems was  . . . and all for the bargain price of 400Y each ( about £3 each).  You can imagine what he said!!!!!

So back round the park and the adventurous Scott came out and we stopped and had some fried Chicken in a cup . . . come on people - this is as adventurous as he'll get!  He did watch the man closely to make sure he didn't put any 'stuff' on his chicken!

We'd now spent ages in the park, so time to move on . .  . still some temples to do!

Nest stop was Kodaiji Temple . . . but time was ticking on and a lot of temples were starting to close.  We didn't go in the temple but had a wander round the grounds and found this big Buddha . . . 

 We were quite high up at this point and there was a lovely view of the city, but the sun was going down and the piccies are a bit dark (that the Yasaka Pagoda in the distance)

 Now, remember last year with the 'Gentle Slope' to Kiyomizudera???  Well, we were pretty much half way up that slope by now . .  .that's the view looking down at the Higashiyama district . . . this leads up to Kiyomizudera.

We had timed our walk perfectly and just had enough time to pop into a few shops and buy some stuff.  I've bought a wash cloth (with cherry blossoms) so I can dry my hands after being to public loos.  As I said last year, public loo's are soooo clean and there is always toilet paper - and even a heated seat on one them I used today, but never anything to dry your hands on after washing them.  The Japanese ladies carry these cloths with them so I've got myself one!

On the way to the Temple . . .  Totoro was there!

LOVE HIM!!!

So, just a little more slope to go up and we were at Kiyomizudera Temple. It was about 6:15 and the lights are switched on at 6:30pm, so we bought our tickets and awaited for it all to start.

I did take a few pictures, but they didn't work very well . . . but it was beautiful to walk round the temple with the lights.  They are doing some construction work at the Temple and Scott noticed that all the scaffolding was Bamboo!  Well impressed!!!

This was the best of the bunch and shows that the Cherry Blossoms are making an effort, so some might make an appearance before we leave for Tokyo.

Well, by this point it had been a long day, it was getting on and we still needed to get ourselves home.  So a quick hop on the bus and we were home . . .  shattered, but happy!  And - I'd seen some real life Geisha . . .  a perfect day!!

We are going to Arashiyama tomorrow - this is just outside Kyoto city.  There are a lot of temples here too and also Bamboo groves . . .  so as there's more walking tomorrow, we need our sleep!!!!

 . . . .  love n hugs xxx