Japan tour: Kyoto and Philosopher's Path

Kyoto,

and this is where my splendid vacation in Japan ended.
We arrived in Kyoto by train from Kanazawa  and the journey was as easy as the whole holiday - on-time train with extremely comfortable seats, information desk as effective as you would expect in Japan after a three weeks journey, always helpful and polite.
We took the subway from Kyoto station - again simple as hello, and reached our hotel reception desk (hotel name being Kyoto Hotel Okura) directly using an escalator connecting with the subway. We check in and we urgently went out to explore!

We had a long list and only few days:
Kinkaku-ji temple that is the Golden flag and the Nijo-jo castle - built in 1600 by the first Shogun of unified Japan; Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace and Ginkakuji/ the Silver Pavilion - gorgeous, number one on my list!
Gion - the pleasure quarter of Kyoto, so to speak! Cosy with everything japanese in: Geisha, narrow streets, tiny temples, lanterns and many small and expensive restaurants! Then visit the temples in Nara, Kyoto deer sanctuar... (2)! to be continued
That plus plenty of shops located right in the hotel area - Kawaramachi-Oike, near the center!

Interesting about Kyoto is the striking difference between the ancient, traditional tourist must-see spots and the modern, almost common, day-to-day cityscape: impressive!

My favourite? From Ginkakuji we chose to walk back the Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku no michi), a pleasant stone path following a water canal and lined by hundreds of cherry trees. We were to late to see them in full bloom but we did enjoy the approximately two km long walk: small restaurants, cafes, boutiques and private homes along the path, typical Japanese gardens as well as a number of smaller temples and shrines. It was a sunny afternoon so we stopped for a tea and spent some quality time with a book in the shadow of the threes. Marvellous!

Kyoto: the Silver Pavilion

Kyoto: the beautiful garden of the exquisite Silver Pavilion

Kyoto: the beautiful sand garden of the Silver Pavilion

Kyoto: the beautiful garden of the exquisite Silver Pavilion

Kyoto: the beautiful sand garden of the Silver Pavilion

Kyoto: Nijō Castle

Kyoto: Nijō Castle

Kyoto: Nijō Castle

Kyoto: the Golden Pavilion

Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto

Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto

Japan travel: Yarimikan, authentically Japanese

Yarimikan, Japan Alps


Yarimikan is a wonderfully traditional Japanese resort aka "onset ryokan", to be found in the remote valley of Okuhida, in the Japanese northern alps - on the river of Kamata-gawa. And in case you travel Japan by car, it's just off Route 475, only few kilometres before the most famous Shin-Hotaka Ropeway.

With two indoor baths, eight riverside rotemburo (some available for private use) and only 15 rooms, Yarimikan guests can bathe 24hrs a day (it's stunning by moonlight). Cuisine features authentically Japanese dishes: the famous Japanese Hida beef and of course, grilled freshwater fish.

We arrived here after an one night stop in Kamikochi, changing buses in Hirayu Onsen.The reception area is beautifully authentic, with the gurgle of drizzling water all over the place; yes, they piped in the spring water coming from the mountain into a wooden trough- cold, to keep the beer right. And, in a second trough, stone-made this time, the water from the hot spring was also piped in - and used to ecologically-cook some eggs!

The trip was a easy one and the scenery boast with views of beautiful, cloud-shrouded, green mountains; on a side note here, if you plan to travel Japan you cannot miss the mountains! Yarimikan is located right on the bank of the river, opposite side of the bus station (less then 10 min walking, take the small bridge over the river and turn right up the hill).
The tatami room was nice, and our meals -  authentically Japanese, were very elaborate, delicious  and served in a private room.The outdoor hot springs (onsen baths, mostly rotemburo and also konnyoku - mixed bathing) are all arranged at the base of the buildings, overlooking the river.Well, it is actually a lovely garden of stone, bushes and flowers, foot baths, huts and hot springs - gorgeous!

going for a hot bath the best thing to do on a rainy afternoon, somewhere lost on the Japan Alps

konnyoku: rainy afternoon

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on the way to the hot springs

irori fire, reception area

reception area

Yarimikan main entrance

the entrance to one of the rotenburo

More picture - see the album!