Hi guys! I know I haven't been updating my blog for quite some time,
but here's Japan Part 2! If you haven't read Part 1 - Osaka, Click here!
And, for my readers who followed me for quite some time,
you may have noticed I changed my blog template.
However, this is just temporary. I still need to dig out sometime
to make a new and nicer one. Haha
Anyway, the photo above is taken at Ohara,
where our Ryokan (traditional Japanese guesthouse) is located.
The ryokan is located quite far away from Kyoto center.
But I have not regretted any of it! It's a more rural part of Kyoto,
and we get to be closer to nature and the countryside.
I was excited to sleep on futons and tatami mats,
but I think my body is not conditioned for it.
I woke up with a sore backache. Lol.
We had yummy miso shabu for dinner! It was so good.
We had a drinking match after dinner - sake + beer.
We poured into shot glasses and downed them all at one go,
and see who finished in a better timing.
(Inspired by some Vietnamese video on FB)
I had difficulty climbing the steps up to my room later lol.
Lunch, at Kichi Kichi Omu Rice.
The famous omu rice in Kyoto that the boy was crazy about.
Turns out its pretty overpriced and normal (to me).
We dressed up in kimono and yukata and explored temples in Kyoto!
I picked a purple one. Isn't it pretttyyyyy?
View at the top of Kiyomizudera temple.
It's breathtaking! Just like my kimono, LOL.
It was difficult to breathe in a kimono, trust me.
I couldn't walk properly either, and couldn't eat or drink a lot,
if not it would make it even tighter. (x__x)
Taken at the foot of Kiyomizudera.
You can write your wishes on these tablets.
And... this is the love stone~!
Rumored that if you are able to cross from one stone to another
with no help and eyes closed, you can find true love.
The boy says I don't have to try since I have him XD
At Arashiyama bamboo grove.
I can't believe I travelled on public buses in a kimono,
got weird stares and walked a great distance uncomfortably (like 8km?!)
I was very hell bent on taking photos in different tourist spots
while wearing a kimono (make my money worth right? Kiasu)
LOVE LOVE my hair! Wish theres someone to style for me like this everyday.
SUPER DUPER relieved that I could eat after that.
After they took away all the tight straps inside,
my hungry stomach starts to growl like a released beast.
The boy was attracted by a geisha's maiko standing at the entrance of this restaurant.
(A maiko is a apprentice of a geisha in training.)
And so we went in to eat some yummy sushi and unagi.
The unagi was super pricey but it was the best I ever ate in my life.
Shag face but still had pretty hair tho
Fushimi Inari shrine the next day.
This is the decor at the mrt stop. Pretty cool huh?
A picture of the river nearby.
School kids come here to maybe pray they pass their exams.
Cleansing your hands with holy water (?)
A brief explanation of the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine:
It is a shinto shrine dedicated to the God of Rice.
Foxes are believed to be the God's messengers,
hence the fox statues all around the shrine.
We paid some money to have our luck read.
Turns out its good!! (If it's bad we have to tie it up)
The torii gates were pretty amazing structure.
Nara deer park!
The deers get a bit aggressive when they know you got food.
They will nip your jacket or bag lol. But super adorable!
I was kinda scared though.
Poor deer got it's antlers cut off. ):
I guess it makes them less aggressive and dangerous (?)
They are considered to be sacred animals as they are messengers of Gods too.
Long time ago in Nara, killing a deer is death penalty! (Interesting fact!)
Beautiful scenary around the park.
Well, that's the end of my Kyoto & Nara post.
Here's a sneak peek photo @ Tokyo!
A purikura (neoprint) taken at Harajuku! LOL!
He makes the most adorable butch if he is a girl HAHA!
Leaving for HK tomorrow! Will update next time~
P.S. If you haven't watched the Japan trip video, here it is!
