With my breakfast in hand, I walked to Toji temple. I had a detour and ended up walking almost double the distance (LOL!), that's what an adventurous holiday is about I guess! As usual, I was asking the Japanese for directions, it took me a while to find it. Toji temple is famous for its pagoda, but again, I didn't enter as many students were queueing to go in. Also with every temple, I had to pay an average 500yen admission, so I thought I would save for another one. I took some photos, bought a souvenir and then walked back to the station (along the way, I got stalled by a big bookstore).
I headed back to Kyoto station for a bus to Sanjusangen-do temple, the longest wooden structure at 120metres with 1001 statues of Kannon. But before that, I took a day walk at the skywalk in Kyoto Station (a secret place to see aerial view of Kyoto from 10th storey). The assemblies at Sanjusangen-do are pretty impressive but unfortunately no photography was allowed! If you're interested, the Kyoto National Museum is just opposite, I did not visit but hopped on the bus to Kiyomizudera temple.
I found myself a quick snack in between all these temples-hopping. This fishie has sweet potato filling in it! As expected, Kiyomizu-dera was crowded, almost like Kinkakuji! Along the way, I saw many students and tourists, some dressed as Maiko/Geiko/Geisha (I even thought they are the real ones). Apparently, it's a very popular service the tourists like to do, especially the Taiwanese (haha, the Taiwanese girls I met in the hostel all did that). I just couldn't imagine walking uphill or a long distance in the tight outfit, and the weather was getting warm, no way I would want to be dressed up in that!Kiyomizu-dera is stunning and listed as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. An uphill temple with a prominent wooden main hall, it is perfect for photos, especially during spring and autumn where the cherry blossoms or maple leaves are in full blossom! I was too late. It might be useful to note they do have night illumination during Autumn and will be worthy for a visit. Though very packed, I quite enjoy the temple and its surroundings... it was also undergoing some kind of renovation when I was there. I did not drink from the Otowa waterfall though. Also it was here I spotted two Geiko and they seemed authentic as everyone was bugging them for a photo.
This was the last temple for me in Kyoto. I then headed to Gion in hope to see more Geisha but it was around 4pm and there was nobody except tourists. It was still a cool area to have a walk though.It was past 4 in the afternoon and I was starving!!! Where was my lunch??? So I walked across the river and found a few restaurants. I found one I wanted to dine but no one came up to usher me in, so I moved on.
Somehow I got back to Shijo area and spotted Lipton Cafe with delicious cakes (it was the strawberry season). That strawberry mille crepe caught my attention and so I got a table. When I ordered my main course and asked for the cake to be served later, to my disappointment, the waitress told me it was sold out (still a piece left at the window display). I quickly finished my meal and then tried again to buy it as a takeaway. I managed to get it!!! YEA! But till today, I couldn't figure out why she told me it was not available when it was STILL THERE!After the meal, I roamed around Shijo area. There was free Wi-Fi even, I recalled walking as I whatsapped my sister! I wanted to do some shopping but having 3 more cities to go to, I refrained and only bought some snacks to keep me going. I found that same bus-stop to take the bus back to Kyoto station, and then I went up the Skywalk again this time for a night view. There was almost nobody and the city of Kyoto lit up right before my eyes. That drew my days in Kyoto to a close.
The following day, I would depart for Nara.
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