Woke up around 9am, did the usual morning routine, then rode our shiny new bikes to this famous Kyoto temple. Later we found out we rode the long way (thanks to Lonely Planet and their inaccurate maps!), but oh well.
We were using an entrance to the temple that was different to the one I used back in 2003 when I came here on exchange, so it was a learning experience for both Ben and I. We parked our bikes next to some other bikes in an area we later found out was a no-standing zone (but no fines, so all good!) and half-followed the crowds, half-followed the paths.
Thanks to the crowds and paths we were lead to the wrong temple! We still took a look around the temple grounds, got some photos of gardens and lanterns and the main building, which was pretty cool.
Ben looked at the map again, got his/our bearings and we got on the right path (we hoped) to Kiyomizu-dera. The path we were on lead up the mountain, through a graveyard. The sun was shining, clouds drifted lazily across the amazingly blue sky, and the lush green forest contrasted them both. All we needed was a light breeze to counteract the demonic humidity and it would have been perfect!
Ten minutes worth of walking later, we arrived at the front entrance to the temple, flanked on it's right side by a cool orange pagoda that overlooks the valley containing Kyoto below.
We followed the paths (the right paths!) further into the temple grounds to some viewing platforms that are part of one of the oldest buildings in Kyoto.
Supported by hundreds of wooden pillars, the platform annexed to the main building offers some amazing views across the mountains and down into the Kyoto plains.
One of the other major reasons why people flock to Kiyomizu-dera from far and wise (besides the temple's ancient history and superb views of Kyoto city) is to drink from the Otowa-no-taki 「音羽の滝」, a waterfall divided into three streams that drop into a pond below. The water is said to have therapeutic properties, so visitors to the temple collect the water from the waterfall in metal cups on poles (which, though shared, are sanitized in UV trays) or commemorative plastic cups.
It is said that drinking the water of the three streams confers wisdom, health, and longevity. However, some Japanese believe that you must choose only two -- if you are greedy and drink from all three, you invite misfortune upon yourself.
It's so typically Japanese to have an ancient temple, with an ancient waterfall... then to have an ultra-modern UV sanitisation device embedded into the ancient rock right next to it. Such a land of contrasts.
We only drank from one of the streams, the health one I think it was. Either way, it didn't work!
~*Later that day...*~
Ben and I decided to go out to a sushi train 「回転寿司」(or kaiten-sushi as they call it here) restaurant called Kappa Sushi. It was so cool. The restaurant was two-levels of sushi (on plates), snaking it's way around the 'tracks', waiting for you to reach out and grab it. Each plate, unless specified on the dish, was 105yen for at least two pieces of sushi-- very cheap!
Not only sushi, but deep-fried chicken, crumbed-fried pork, cake and various pudding/jelly-type desserts. We pigged out and went through over twenty plates. Squid sushi is my favorite so far. The texture is the least offensive, and the flavour is not as strong as some other types... like salmon (bleurgh!).
Above the main sushi train there was a special express sushi train that was used to deliver special orders. Each booth had it's own touch screen, which you could use to choose individual dishes. The kitchen staff put your dish on the bullet-train and delivered it to your table-- all so you don't have to wait for it to come around on the regular track!
~*Later that night*~
At home, I was blogging, Ben was laying on the floor playing Final Fantasy on his DS, complaining periodically of stomach pains. So much for that good health water we drank at Kiyomizu-dera!
~To be continued in tomorrow's installment...~
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