Summary of Japan Trip (Nov 2009)

Here’s a summary linking up all the posts related to our 18-day Japan trip in November 2009.

The posts with asterisks was updated with some videos after it was first published. Do go see!

Japan Trip: Day 10, part 3 (23 Nov 2009)

Kinkakuji - the last temple that we visited in Kyoto. Also known as the Golden Pavilion, this is a very popular zen temple and it was teeming with visitors.

Some pictures taken around the entrance area.

Japan Trip: Day 10, part 2 (23 Nov 2009)

Next, we went to the shrine that is well-known for its countless torii gates – Fushimi Inari Shrine! I think you probably have seen pictures of this shrine, somewhere…somehow…?

It was very convenient to get there via JR Inari Station. Near the station, there’s a unmistakable huge torii gate that “directed” us to the shrine!

Japan Trip: Day 10, part 1 (23 Nov 2009)

We are in Kyoto again to visit more temples! This was not part of the original itinerary but there are so many temples worth visiting, so we modified our itinerary…hehe. 8)

First up, is the Kiyomizu Temple. Here, we are at the entrance of the temple, where the Nio-mon gate stands and where we can get a view of Kyoto.

In fact, the other day when we were in Kyoto, we visited this temple in the evening but it was nearing closing hours. So, we were deliberating whether to enter for the special evening light-up and after dinner, we found ourselves amongst a huge crowd making their way to the temple!

Many of the Japanese were dressed up to the nines to view the autumn foilage at night. So pretty! Many policemen were directing the crowds on the two-way street and there were not just pedestrians but vehicles too! It was almost unpassable and one can only slowly inch forward with the crowd.

So, we decided to leave and come back to this temple another day. Good thing too, because on our way out (via another less-crowded street), we saw a very long queue for buying the admission tickets. :S

That’s also why we decided to visit this temple first before it is overrun by crowds! More pictures from around the temple’s entrance.

Japan Trip: Day 8, part 2 (21 Nov 2009)

Back in Kyoto, we visited the Higashi Honganji and and Nishi Honganji. They were not that interesting… =_=.

Then we took the train to Tokufuji … this temple is very popular for its autumn foliage and indeed, it was very crowded.