Day 7 - Kyoto to Hakone: (Part 1) More Shrines
Another early start so we could get in another few shrines to complete our Kyoto Top Trumps. Heian Jingu Shrine was seen in Lost in Translation and Kiyomizu Temple, another World Heritage Buddhist place. Heian had a great garden where you couldn’t ignore the shouts from a neighbouring kendo club. Further on, past the stepping stones (another scene from Lost in Translation) was a traditional wedding just wrapping up. Bride and groom were posing for the camera and had gained their own paparazzi of tourists including myself.
Some bus rides later we came across our final Kyoto sight of Kiyomizu, the Pure-water temple. To get there though took about 15 minutes uphill past a stream of continuous gift shops. Saw a couple of monks along the way chanting or begging. Temple was amazing with Buddha and rabbit statues everywhere. As well as the standard pagoda and hall affair there was large balcony over looking a wooded area and Kyoto city in the distance. One of the many mini-legends for this place was to walk between two mystical stones with your eyes closed to find your true love. Easier said than done as the crowds blocked the path except for some Jap couple who ‘bought’ an assistant to clear the way. Expect a Buddha backlash next year you cheating gits!
Tried exchanging our Travellers Cheques but today is a public holiday so no banks or post offices are open. We tried changing them in a big hotel but limited to £50 as not guests. Luckily, Kerry found a decent department store that would do them.
Before our bullet-train we grabbed some lunch at our first Japanese McDonalds which was surprising good and even cheaper than the UK. On the train I took time out to think about the differences we’ve noticed about Japan.
• Drinking beer on trains is popular with men and women at any age over 18 and no lager loutish behaviour either
• All city girls love their high-heel boots and knee length shorts – expect Europe to catch up in the Spring
• Character dressing happens outside Tokyo as well
• Computer and video game shops are quite rare to find. At this point of the holiday we haven’t actually seen any especially from the country that makes most of them
• Pachinko is very popular with more places than Starbucks. Every time their doors open it’s just a wall of sound
• Digital cameras aren’t as popular as you’d think. Many Jap tourists use disposable or their mobile phone cameras
• Sandwiches are as common as bento boxes (packed lunch with rice, veg, meat, fish and a sweet plus chopsticks)
• Box shaped cars are very popular
• Neon lights are not just in Tokyo. From our train we can see many smaller cities and towns have many buildings lighting up like Shibuya crossing
• Japanese sleep anywhere. Trains, subways, buses, McDonalds. No wonder there’s no crime they’re half asleep to bother
• Vending machines are everywhere, mainly green tea variants, canned coffee type drinks, Pocari Sweat, water, Coke, Fanta Grape and my favourite, Melon Soda – all at around 60 pence – bargain!
• Bullet train staff bow every time they enter and leave each compartment
• There are some hideous ultra-fashions around. Japanese can get away with it with their accessories but each item on its own looks like a blind person selected the colour/material
• Musical chimes everywhere! Every time a train approaches or about to pull away a little melody comes through the speakers. Also when the pedestrian crossing is about to change you’re warned with a few bars of twinkly sounds – bit better than the UK beep sounds
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Some bus rides later we came across our final Kyoto sight of Kiyomizu, the Pure-water temple. To get there though took about 15 minutes uphill past a stream of continuous gift shops. Saw a couple of monks along the way chanting or begging. Temple was amazing with Buddha and rabbit statues everywhere. As well as the standard pagoda and hall affair there was large balcony over looking a wooded area and Kyoto city in the distance. One of the many mini-legends for this place was to walk between two mystical stones with your eyes closed to find your true love. Easier said than done as the crowds blocked the path except for some Jap couple who ‘bought’ an assistant to clear the way. Expect a Buddha backlash next year you cheating gits!
Tried exchanging our Travellers Cheques but today is a public holiday so no banks or post offices are open. We tried changing them in a big hotel but limited to £50 as not guests. Luckily, Kerry found a decent department store that would do them.
Before our bullet-train we grabbed some lunch at our first Japanese McDonalds which was surprising good and even cheaper than the UK. On the train I took time out to think about the differences we’ve noticed about Japan.
• Drinking beer on trains is popular with men and women at any age over 18 and no lager loutish behaviour either
• All city girls love their high-heel boots and knee length shorts – expect Europe to catch up in the Spring
• Character dressing happens outside Tokyo as well
• Computer and video game shops are quite rare to find. At this point of the holiday we haven’t actually seen any especially from the country that makes most of them
• Pachinko is very popular with more places than Starbucks. Every time their doors open it’s just a wall of sound
• Digital cameras aren’t as popular as you’d think. Many Jap tourists use disposable or their mobile phone cameras
• Sandwiches are as common as bento boxes (packed lunch with rice, veg, meat, fish and a sweet plus chopsticks)
• Box shaped cars are very popular
• Neon lights are not just in Tokyo. From our train we can see many smaller cities and towns have many buildings lighting up like Shibuya crossing
• Japanese sleep anywhere. Trains, subways, buses, McDonalds. No wonder there’s no crime they’re half asleep to bother
• Vending machines are everywhere, mainly green tea variants, canned coffee type drinks, Pocari Sweat, water, Coke, Fanta Grape and my favourite, Melon Soda – all at around 60 pence – bargain!
• Bullet train staff bow every time they enter and leave each compartment
• There are some hideous ultra-fashions around. Japanese can get away with it with their accessories but each item on its own looks like a blind person selected the colour/material
• Musical chimes everywhere! Every time a train approaches or about to pull away a little melody comes through the speakers. Also when the pedestrian crossing is about to change you’re warned with a few bars of twinkly sounds – bit better than the UK beep sounds
Comments
Firstly, I actually quoted 'chanting or begging' and just described what I saw. I didn't understand what they were doing so thanks for the correction.
Secondly, how about taking things a little less seriously. I just abbreviated Japanese and wouldn't go around calling Japanese people Japs.
Thirdly, it was only one meal out of many and experienced many other places. Seeing how the Japanese take on an international brand is just another experience.
Overall I loved the holiday and tried to do as much as possible with limited language I'd learnt. I respect anyone who has the patience and skill to learn a language and to be rewarded with understanding more of the country's culture. That said, I don't expect anyone to take my blog that seriously but to only share experiences.