Breathtaking Kyoto at Keage Incline

 

At the south end of the Philospoher's Path lies Nanzenji Temple.  There is an aqueduct that looks more at home in Europe than here in Japan.  If you walk along the aqueduct it leads you to the top of the Keage Incline.  

Initially Misterpiggy wasn't going to visit the Incline but after seeing the most spectacular cherry blossoms here, he was glad that he didn't miss this wonderful viewing spot.

Breathtaking Kyoto - Heian Shrine

Heian shrine in kyoto

This is a continuation of Misterpiggy's pictures that he took in Kyoto.  Here are some from the Heian Shrine.  If it looks somewhat familiar to you, it's because it was used as a location in Sofia Coppola's movie called Lost in Translation.  On this visit, access to the stepping stones was blocked off, most probably due to the high amount of visitors to the Heian Shrine garden.

There is a 600 yen admission charge to the Heian Shrine Gardens but it is well worth it for the beautiful views.

Please continue checking out Misterpiggy's pictures from Kyoto in his next post.  The best is yet to come.

Breathtaking Kyoto on the Philoshopher's Path

on the way to kyoto

With not much sleep but lots of energy, Misterpiggy made his way to Namba train station for his trip to Kyoto.  Immediately he recognized the frenetic pace and activity of the train station, so similar to that of Tokyo, with men and women dressed in dark business suits all briskly walking, some almost running to catch their trains to work.  It took awhile to assimilate the station layout and location of the myriad of train platforms and lines, but Misterpiggy eventually found his way onto the proper train on the Keihan line bound for Kyoto for his cherry blossom viewing.


The weather was cool and the skies were menacingly gray, and Misterpiggy was starting to worry that he didn't have an umbrella if it started to rain, however he felt assured he would be okay because many Kyoto people he saw that day weren't carrying one.  In Japan, if you are out and see lots of people carrying umbrellas, you can pretty much guarantee it will rain.  As it turned out there were a few light sprinkles but thankfully it did not pour.

Before boarding the local bus to Ginkakuji, Misterpiggy wisely bought his lunch bento box, sandwich, and drink from a supermarket nearby.  He didn't know where he would be able to buy food on the meandering Philosopher's Path. As it turned out later, his lunch was filling and delicious and only cost him less than 700 yen!!  Anyways, here are some pics from his four hour walk as Misterpiggy savoured the cherry blossoms.

philosopher's path in kyoto

cherry blossoms in bloom

Misterpiggy didn't realize just how many pics he took.  Too many for this one post! So please continue on to his next posts to see the pics from the Heian Shrine and the Keage Incline.