Catch Up Time!

Okay, so sorry for the lack of updates, I've just been so busy and then lazy when I actually get around to this. Hehe.

So, last we left off I had spent my day with Katrina traveling through Kyoto and exploring. Wednesday was very similar to that, except I went around with the new guy from the Kyoto hostel. I got up very early that morning though and made my way out to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Time to turn to Japan-Guide to explain a little more for me!

'Fushimi Inari Shrine is the most famous of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari across Japan. Inari is the Shinto god of rice, and foxes are thought to be his messengers. Therefore, many fox statues can be found at Inari shrines.

Fushimi Inari Shrine is also famous for the countless torii gates, offerings by worshippers, that cover the hiking trails of Inarisan, the wooded mountain behind the shrine's main buildings. It takes about two hours to walk along the whole trail.'

Okay, so it should be known that this was one of the highlights of my trip and it was worth it all. I climbed UP a mountain and got lost, never made it to the top, but it was still as amazing as I hoped it would be. You can feel that something special is there, I even gave an offering and made a little prayer at the beginning of the shrine. I was expecting a kitsune to come and start playing tricks on me (which I'm sure they did), they were everywhere. I can't wait to post the pictures because going through the toori gates is like going into another dimension.

After that I returned to the hostel, it was still rather early, and putzed around the hostel until Chris got up and we decided to go out and explore. We first went to Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion. It was pretty, I'm glad I waited till it was sunny outside.

'Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple formally known as Rokuonji.

In 1397 construction started on the Golden Pavilion as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Kinkakuji was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimitsu's death in 1408.

The Golden Pavilion functions as shariden, housing sacred relics of the Buddha and is covered in gold leaf. The present building dates from 1955 as the pavilion was burnt by a fanatic monk in 1950.'

We then made our way across town and actually found Kiyomizu-dera. You had to climb another mountain, smaller, but still! I don't think i got to enjoy it was much as I would've liked to because it was sooo crowded, but it was still rather pretty, especially with all the cherry blossoms still in bloom.

'Kiyomizudera ("Pure Water Temple") is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 and remains associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest sects within Japanese Buddhism. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

Kiyomizudera stands in the wooded hills of eastern Kyoto and offers visitors a nice view over the city from its famous wooden terrace. Below the terrace, you can taste the spring water, which gives the temple its name and which is said to have healing power.

Behind Kyomizudera's main hall stands Jishu Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deity of love. In front of the shrine are two rocks, placed several meters apart from each other. Successfully walking from one to the other rock with your eyes closed is said to bring luck in your love life.

Part of the fun of visiting Kiyomizudera is the approach to the temple along the steep and busy lanes of the atmospheric Higashiyama district. Except early in the morning, do not expect a tranquil, spiritual atmosphere.

The many shops, restaurants and ryokan in the area have been catering to tourists and pilgrims for centuries. Products on sale range from local specialties such as Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, sweets and pickles to the standard set of souvenirs.'

Wow, this post is getting long! Yesterday wasn't that interesting, I said a sad farewell to Kyoto (I miss it already) and made my way back to Tokyo. I got in mid afternoon and kinda did nothing, it was nice to relax. I don't feel as pressed to squeeze everything in here since most of what I want to do is shopping. > _____>

I slept in this morning and finally made my way out to Harajuku. WOW! I haven't even finished exploring it all yet, it was cold and rainy and my energy is kinda low at the moment, so I'm for sure going back. I went there to buy a jacket and came back with a skirt instead, but it's pretty awesome. It was at a thrift store called closet child, and while $38 may seem a bit steep for a skirt, it's about as much as I'd pay for one at Hot Topic and it's from Japan.

It's by Algonquins and it's soooo cute! I did try it on and much to my happiness, I can wear Japanese clothing!

So, today ended good, though it's supposed to keep raining tomorrow. Not quite too sure what I'm doing, but then we'll see.

....and then a guy with a kendo stick chased me...