Monday, June 24, 2019
The more exciting part of the Japan finally started. With a big grin (that I no longer need to worry about the small room and secretly praying my Kyoto destination has a better one), checked out the hotel and went to Shinagawa.
Nozomi Shinkansen
As per the plan, got the Shinkansen ticket to Kyoto in Nozomi and splurged for a Green car ticket. Yes, costed more than a short vacation 2 way flight cost from Singapore for one way trip to Kyoto for one person. Well, its worth. My google answered why they are expensive – In a super crowded city like Tokyo, going to airport, getting a flight is way less convenience than hopping on to the Shinkansen that too which has schedules every 10 mins to make you just walk into the train most of the times. My splurge was worth. My vague recollection of first class travel in Swiss reminded similar views.
Like a kid, I saw the the grand entrance of Shinkansen pulling into the platform and quickly pushed my stuff into the train and settled. Just while settling down itself, train started moving and picked up speed. Seats are quite spacious and literally a large luggage can be placed between seats (But don’t do it. At the rear of each cabin, place holders are there for luggage that hold them in place). It was quiet and doesn’t make us realize that its traveling at such speed. Once the Tokyo city bids bye, lush green, peaceful small hills take over. In no time, we reached Kyoto. Shinkansen time table is available at hyperdia webpage
The Kyoto!
Contrary to my expectations (I expected a real village looking or isolated like the Swiss villages), Kyoto welcomed us gorgeously nothing too inferior to Tokyo. Just that its not too tight like the capital. It was just a typical hot summer, we got a Taxi to ‘Cross Hotel‘ at the Sanjo area. Its completely super active location for the tourists. After checked into the room (which I thought would be super big, but was big enough – or actually Tokyo gave enough fear to be happy for the room). Little one loved the room and I took a big breath. The room had a spectacular back street view of the Takase river (actually, the size of stream and its not Kamo river) and a unique dry garden (yes, its a term) view from our floor. Hotel is relatively new and rich by all means. Money that I paid was totally worth. Am not touching upon the cleanliness of the hotels I stayed or the toilet bidet which was quite intelligent – as I have been there, used many times here in Singapore, installed one myself, etc. Took good rest after gobbling through a packed lunch from Spice Cafe Diwali right across the road (Mina Mall – 7th Floor). Little one is pretty picky eater, so mostly I had to consider Indian restaurant options, luckily I never was far away from Indian restaurants any time in Tokyo and as well as in Kyoto. It was hotter than the Tokyo or the weather for the day. We waited till the evening, and slowly started to get on with the exploring.
Marumaya Park
As a first, we took a taxi. Yes, if you are family or a small group and you have an itinerary, car is the most efficient way in Kyoto for the city’s attractions. Buses are there and good but the cost is higher and limited services might let you to think that taxi is better – which is available everywhere. Requested Taxi driver to drop us at the Marumaya Park (bit odd or not the important place in Kyoto, but I have enough time to do things slowly here).
Marumaya Park is love at first sight even during the dryer months. Its quiet, super quiet, serene and subtle. No advertisements. I visited twice here and super easy. Almost all the places of attractions are ancient, like really ancient. People valued the places and consciously spent efforts to restore and tried to keep as original as possible. So they look subtle and simple but have great history everywhere.
Here is the text from the board
Marumaya park has thrived as a scenic spot and for cherry blossom at the foot of Mt. Higashiyama. Thus, it was designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty in 1931. This restoration work is done to revive the original structure of the park which was the framework of excellent landscape and to maintain and pass on to the future.
Why this place is important
This area used to be called Makuzugahara, then became known as a place of Japanese traditional Waka poems in the kamakura period. During the Edo period, it was crowded as a part of entertainment quarters. In 1886, Kyoto Marumaya park opened as the oldest Par in the city of Kyoto. The water was brought in from Keage via Lake Biwa canal in 1895 (currently no longer in use). During the Meiji and Taisho eras, Goichi Takeda and Jihei Ogawa VII renovated and improved the park. Based on the above background, we are undertaking this restoration work as one of the efforts to further utilize Marumaya Park as a Place of Scenic Beauty as well as an urban park.
Back to my own words
Plan was to take a leisure walk back to Chion-in temple (8am to 4pm opening hours) and Shore-in temple(9am to 5pm opening hours) and our timing was perfect, closed. Still took a leisure walk all the way to the end of Jinumichi Dori avenue and took a left turn all the way to Sanjo. Its serene, calm and lovable by all means. Buildings do have character and exhibit rich traditions by all means.
Mount Higwashi
Next time when I visited after Kiyomizudera temple, I took a solo walk in the eerie path of the Mount Higwashi from Marumaya park and ended up in Anyoji temple. This place offers partial view of the city but by all means, place is super isolated and if it wasnt for the few cars and prayers by taxi drivers, am not sure I would have even dared to climb upwards of that mountain. Yes, the time or the darkness of the dusk or the quietness of the place, it was very discouraging to go higher.
Anyoji (Yoshimizu soan)
From their board- This temple belongs to the Jishu buddhist sect. It is believed Saicho (Dengyo Daish) founded it as a monastery in the late 8th century. Two famous monks, Honen and Shinran, trained in Yoshimizu soan. In the late 12th century, the monk Jichin established it as a temple and named it Anyoji. The temple declined but renewed by the monk Kokua in the late 14th century and converted to Jishu. Formerly six buildings were used for visitors, where they appreciated the beautiful garden and view. However, some were ruined during the Meiji restoration in 1867; the others fell into disuse due to fires. The remaining structures are Amidado and Shoin (in the grounds) and Bentendo and Jichinto (55 meters southerly off). The goddess of music, eloquence and wealth is worshiped in Bentendo. Jichinto was build in the early Kamakura era (1192-1333) and two Buddhas Taho and Shaka are dedicated here.
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