Our first day in Kyoto
I found an interesting resource with the Japan National Tourist Organization which outlined a spiritual walking tour of eastern Kyoto among other things. It had intriguing directions like "At the spice shop, make right to a narrow lane called Sannenzaka Lane" which suited me just fine. So armed with these sometimes cryptic directions, we started off.
Looking back, we bid farewell to Kiyomizu
We stop for some manju pastries.
A closer view of the baking process. First the bottom layer of batter is poured, then the sweet red bean paste, then finally the upper enclosing layer of batter.
A video of the manju baking process
We buy some. I think they are delicious, but Josh is not impressed
As we continue walking down the street, we pass a small shrine
Per our printed guide, we head down the Sannenzaka Staircase, the three year stairs, so named because if you fall down them, you will die within three years.
Was there really a spice shop at the turn? I forgot to look, but the stairs were unmistakable.
We continue down... carefully
As we continue down the Sannenzaka lane, we look off to a small path to the right
Looking down Sannenzaka lane from that small path. If this looks confusing, please make use of the "Map This" button at the top, then click on any of the green bubbles to see where the picture was taken.
Further down the lane, we see small shops selling souvenirs.
Notice the red Daruma dolls on the top shelf. There is a Japanese custom associated with this doll. You paint in one eye upon setting a goal for yourself, then the other eye upon fulfilling your goal. The idea is that every time you see the one-eyed Daruma, you recall your goal.
We look down the Ninenzaka Staircase (two-year slope, guess why the name) but pass it by and continue down the Sannenzaka lane.
Technically, we were suppose to turn here, but at this point, we decided to depart from our guide and to let random chance direct our path.
Our decision to continue on pays off. Ahead of us, you can see the five-story Yasaka Pagoda
Before we reach the pagoda, we check out this little shop with some interesting and beautifully grotesque wall hangings.
A closer view of some of the figures
Does this mean that men always have breasts on the mind?
Hide my eyes from this sight
Groping hands
Peeking out from the grating are more bizarre figures.
One more look before we continue on
The Yasaka Pagoda
A rock garden surrounds the pagoda
Another view of the Yasaka pagoda
John appreciating the gardens
Around the Yasaka pagoda
The entrance to the pagoda
Another view of the Yasaka pagoda
Should we go in?
Of course we go in. View this video go see Josh and my little exploration of the pagoda
A small Buddha figure to one side of the pagoda
There are actually four Buddha figures in a circle around the center of the pagoda
A view down Yasaka Street from the pagoda
As we walked down Yasaka Street, we saw a maiko preparing for a photo session
The maiko is photographed. We photograph the photographer. But who will photograph us?
We continue our walk down Yasaka Street
Heading towards Higashioji Street where we will turn right to head north.
But before we get there, a pair of proudly endowed cat figures.
As we walked north on Higashioji Street, we passed a torii on the right
And then another torii to the left
We finally reach the Yasaka Shrine
We come up to the main gate
One of the guardian figures
By this time we were hungry and decided to eat before touring the Yasaka Shrine so we headed down Shijo Street to find a restaurant
We were getting frustrated as the entire street seemed to be lined with nothing but confectionary shops. We had almost reached the river before turning back. Finally we found the Ching Ming Chinese shop. It was pricey, but we were starving.
Finally fed, we head back to the Yasaka Shrine
We walk towards the center of the Yasaka Shrine
A small altar behind its own torii.