SushiLandExchange: BACKPACK KYOTO TRIP - DAY 1 (Part I)

Friday, 26 March 2010

Woke up at 6am today (5am Singapore time). Feeling groggy but excited. Had a simple and light breakfast, did some last minute packing and finally out of the house by 7.30am. Took a brisk walk to Hotarugaike station （蛍池駅）　where we took an express train down to Juso station　（十三駅） and transferred to another train bound for Omiya station （大宮駅）　in Kyoto city.

Morning scene at Juso Station

Express train to Kyoto

Arrival at Omiya station, Kyoto city.
Total distance travelled: 52.8km.
Total fare: ¥450 = S$7; Quite cheap =)

Random shots while walking along Omiya street

Our accommodation for the first 2 nights - Capsule Ryokan!

Attraction #1: Nishi Hongan-ji (西本願寺)

I took the above two pictures secretly.. I wasn't sure if photography was allowed but at the same time my common sense told me even if I wanted the pictures badly, I should do it discreetly. The pictures were taken inside the main hall of the temple. It is a HUGE wooden structure, and it has been recently restored by the municipal government. Every inch of the floor is covered with tatami mats (straw mats of high quality).

Notice the intricate designs, all the way up to the ceiling

Kara-mon: A very famous gate within the temple grounds.
Styled with intricate ornamental carvings

At the side corridor of the main hall

The reception area in the temple grounds

Attraction #2: Higashi Hongan-ji (東本願寺)

To readers who have noticed: If you think that Attraction #1 and Attraction #2 are somehow related, you are right. There used to be only one Hongan-ji in Kyoto. However due to some political events in the early 17th century another Hongan-ji was built east of the original one, thereby earning itself the name of "Higashi Hongan-ji (East Hongan Temple)", while the original became "Nishi Hongan-ji (West Hongan Temple)".

The rope is made out of human hair. It was used in the reconstruction of the temple when it was destroyed in the 1880s. A group of female devotees, eager to help out in the reconstruction, donated their hair to make the rope.