Kiyomizu dera (Kiyomizu temple) - Kyoto, Japan

When people talk about visiting Japan, they usually think of Tokyo and Kyoto, when people talk about travel and tour to Kyoto, The following places are hot spots:

1. Kinkakuji ( golden pavilion)
2. Kiyomizu dera (Kiyomizu temple)
3. Toufukuji ( Toufuku temple )
4. Ginkakuji
5. Heian jingu
6. Arashiyama
7. Sanzenin
8. Inari jingu
9. Shimokamo jingu
10. Goshou
11. Nijoujo
12. Maruyama koen

There are a lot more places of attraction depend on individual preference but the above are some of the most visited.

For difference places, the best time to visit will be different, example during spring ( cherry blossom period which usually around first week of April ), best to visit Kiyomuzu dera, Ginkakuji, heian jingu, goshou, maruyama koen, but this suggestion are for your reference only.

During Autumn ( usually around early November), Tofuku ji, Arashi yama, sanzenin will be some good places to go.

When you get to Kyoto in Japan, the most obvious landmark is the Kyoto tower, I was very impressed the first time when I visited Kyoto in year 1996, the station is clouded but cleanliness is well maintain, the kyoto station main building have a stage on the upper floor, and the overall design is more like an art center for me.

The photo below is Kyoto station terminal.

Kyoto tower, located right beside the kyoto station terminal, I heard that there is a rotating restaurant up at the top.

















Your coach or car can only stop or park at the foothill, you need to walk a distance of about few hundred meter to get to the temple, there are 2 road that can lead you to the temple, probably you want to tha one to go up and the other one to go down, on the way up, up can do some window shopping or shopping as there are many shops selling handicraft, japanese food, japanese tea, pottery etc, some shops do provide free sample for testing.
















This shop is not selling umbrella, this is coffee shop.

Some of the most famous japanese green tea.

Japanese cookies....

Traditional hand bag....

Japanese clog ??

This one more like slipper...

More shops, friendly sales girls and sales men promoting their product.

Very japanese item, get one for your summer day.

A few shops selling this item.

Keep walking, enjoy watching people from all over the world.

Keep your eyes busy....

Finally, you are there, take a picture here with Kyoto at the background.

A good location to take pictures, during the cherry blossom season, nice view around here, let see the next photo...

Any comments ? photo taken on 6th April 2009, good day with blue sky.

The red colour structure give you very good contrast against the blue sky with some sakura around it to make it better.

Walking further up, you will see a big bell.

Write down you wish and put it here, your wish will come true.

Enjoy the scenery... spring is the best time to visit kiyomizu dera ( kiyomizu temple).

You can find a shop on the way walking up to this temple, the do the service to dress you like this for a few thousand yen,

Nice to see but not very comfortable to wear, I heard.

Until this dragon fountain, its free, from here onward, please buy a ticket first. Group ticket is cheaper than individual visitor.

The main temple building, a national treasure for Japan.

Forget what is the name of this god, let me find out later...

Burn the insane and try to get the smoke onto your head, like what the lady is doing in the picture above.

Make your wishes, hit the bell (you can see the rope is hanging down from the bell).

After the main temple building of Kiyomizu dera, you can climb up this stair to visit the god of match matching, for those who wish to look for love one, try it out.

Make a wish to find your love one, actually there are 2 stone about 5 meter apart, I never try but I think the game go like this, start form this stone, close your eye and work straight, if you manage to touch the second stone, you wish will come true.
Try it out...

Main temple building view from the left, those trees in front are sakura.

You can drink the water or just wash you hand or face.

That all for Kiyomizu dera, I hope you enjoy it.

Hikone castle - Japan

Hikone Castle, Located in Hikone city in the northern part of Shiga prefecture in Japan. This castle was built during early 1600’s century and was declared as national treasure of Japan. This castle is also one of the only 4 original castle in Japan.
This castle is very much smaller in size and in term of height of the castle compare to Himeji castle or Osaka castle or Nagoya castle.

















Four side of the wall on the castle are opening for the gun, the opening is bigger on the inside and tapper toward the outside.

Inside the castle, you can see the roof of the castle is constructed from log with all sort of shape but every pieces seem just fit together nicely, the skill to put together the all the odd shape pieces without using any nail is amazing

On the top floor is a spacious area.

Along the corridor inside the castle, from the windows you can view what happen outside the castle, a good view of lake Biwa.

The staircase to go up to upper floor is very steep, do pay attention especialy ladies when visiting this castle.

This "fish shape" structure is located at the corner of the roof on the castle, different castle have different name given to this structure but they all look like fish.

When you want to visit Hikone castle, you need the buy a ticket before you can access to the castle compound, do remember that the track to go up to the castle and down the castle is different, do take your pictures on the way up as you will go down on the other side of the castle.

You can visit Hikone castle by taking JR west train, biwako line and get off at Hikone station, it take 20 minutes if you walk to the castle.

**************************************************
**************************************************
End
**************************************************
**************************************************

Himeji Castle - Japan

Himeji Castle, Located in Himeji town in Hyogo prefecture in Japan.
It is registered as Japanese National Cultural Treasure by UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the oldest and most visited castle in Japan.
















“Himeji Castle, National Cultural Treasure” sign board at the entrance of the castle.
At the background, you can see the Hemeji castle.
















The castle sit in the middle and is surrounded by river, high rise and steep wall built with stone is to prevent intruders from easy entering into the castle coumpond.

Big wooden door (gate) at the main entrance to Himeji Castle. Many cast iron parts are used to build this door.
















Another stone written “Himeji Castle, National Cultural Treasure” right after the big wooden door entrance. This is a famous spot for group photo as you can see the castle at the back.
The castle is few hundred meter behind and is built on top of a small hill. Usually Castle is constructed on high ground in alder to have a good view of the surrounding area.

A closer look at the castle. When you are at the top of the castle, you can get a good view of Himeji town.

If you visit this castle during the cherry blossom (spring) season, you will be able to capture post card quality photo as the castle is surrounded by many cherry trees, but the weather is an important factor to capture nice photo, unfortunately, I haven't have a chance to visit this castle during cherry blossom time (used to be around first week of April).

if you are a visitor to Japan and like Japanese history and cultural heritage, do pay a visit here.

It is located to the west of Osaka or Kobe, you can come here by rail using JR west until Himeji station and take a taxi or about 20minutes walking distance from the station, you can also come here using the Shikansen (bullet train) and get off at Himeji station, as Himeji station is a main station, all the train will stop at this station.

*************************************************

*************************************************

End

*************************************************

*************************************************