If I hadn't fallen asleep, maybe I could have seen Fuji Mountain.
But I ate this delicious bento box and fell asleep haha.
As soon as we arrived at Kyoto Station,
...we started eating! Shrimp mochi bread! Kyoto is known for their famous shrines, temples, sweets, and food.
Our first stop was to Sanjusangendo (aka "33 spaces bw columns") Temple. The original temple was lost in a fire but was reconstructed in 1266. The temple hall was built in the Wayo style architecture.
The main hall is full of 1001 golden statues who protect the Buddhist deity, Kannon, a national treasure. Each statue was modeled the same but slightly different from one another since they were each made by different artists as part of the renovation project. The big statues represent various gods for rain, wind, harvests, etc. They were so ornate and delicate! I was really amazed that they have been so well maintained over 700 years!
Only thing was that they were really scary looking and mostly angry or threatening... I like Jesus because he's always smiling and often holds fluffy sheep and usually looks like he wants to hug the viewer not kill them. Haha.
After sweating our butts off in the temple hall, we headed to Kawamami in Gion for a kaiseki lunch. Kyoto is known for their fresh vegetables and ingredients and their distinguished haute cuisine. Kaiseki is a tasting menu meal of small intricate dishes made with precise techniques and delicate craftsmanship.
Watching the preparation and presentation of each course was just amazing. This was not just a meal, it was watching edible art being created. The colors, exact balanced portions of ingredients, placement, and even delivery to each patron... Just beautiful. And of course every bite was a fun combination of textures, tastes, and flavors. Just splendid... What a treat!
This region is known of 'hamo' fish during the month of June. Traditionally, you must eat it when it is in season! We had in sushi style, simmered in broths, and even grilled and served with their local giant eggplant (below). Hamo is actually not extremely favorable alone, but it is fluffy and can be used as a base to be seasoned in many different ways.
Another seasonal fish is called 'ayu' and is typically served fried whole to be eaten entirely; head, tail, bones and all!
The beauty in traditional Japanese meals is that you don't feel like a fat overstuffed slob at the end of the meal. It is just right :) so with a fulfilled smile and belly, we headed to Kiyomizu Temple to see the temples built amazingly on a mountain cliff.
I'm not sure what this is really for, but I like my interpretation...
Miki said if any of drew bad fortunes I will need to be commissioned to pray a counter prayer to override it. Haha. Happy to! But we all drew wooden sticks for our fortunes and were all destined for good luck this year!
I wish there were more explanations of what we were seeing and what their belief system was about ... I'm sad to say that I wasn't even sure if it was Shintoism or buddhism.
One very popular shrine was the 'Cupid Shrine'. Many a women, but sadly not a lot of men up there haha.
Afterwards, we stopped by a little mountain bistro for some shaved green tea ice and a nice cold cup of beer. Ahhh! Just what we needed.
Honestly, we just didn't have enough energy or strength in the heat and humidity to make it to Nijo Castle or Kinkakuji Temple (the gold temple). It will just have to wait until next time. So, we walked around the town and popped into little shops here and there to pick up a few souvenirs.
And then headed to dinner! Another tasting menu, but of the fried sorts: kushikatsu. 14 different types of fried yumminess on skewers. Can't go wrong there!
Delicious!
Well earned after a day of splendid fun with the girls :)
Thanks for showing me around and taking me to Kyoto Tomoko and Miki!
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