Japan 2016 - Kyoto Day 3

2016/07/08

First Stop: Kyoto

Today we are heading over to Kyoto, the city of culture and history.

We've decided on taking the 東海道新幹線 Tokaido shinkansen (bullet train) because it is the fastest way to get to our destination, around an hours time.

Before boarding, we bought a few bentos for the trip since it was around lunch time.

We bought 3 different types:

Shumai chahan bento: - meat, shrimp, scallop dumplings and fried rice bento.

Makunouchi Kabuki Bento: Fukagawa rice (clam, leek, miso), salt water eel tempura, and salt grilled salmon.

The name Makunouchi dates back to the Edo period. These bentos were served to the kabuki performers between intermissions. Because there is limited time for breaks during the day, these bentos are packed with a good portion of everything.

Last but not least the Tokaido Shinkansen Bento, made in accordance to the stops made on this train.

Tokaido Shinkansen Bento: Fukugawa rice, grilled salt water eel, black hanpen, shrimp tempura, miso katsu, mixed veggies.

somebody fell asleep...

Although the train ride was an hour, but taking a few pictures, enjoying the food, in no time we have arrived at Kyoto!

Second Stop: 伏見稲荷大社 Fushimi Inari Taisha

Probably one of the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto is this gorgeous Fushimi Inari Shrine. Sitting at the bottom of the Inari mountain, it is known for its numerous large Torii all the way up leading to the top. The trail up is quite a long walk, taking around 2 hours.

Sadly the weather that day wasn't the best, it was even drizzeling a little :(

Look at all the torii on the way up the mountain! The trail may not look long, but we couldn't even make it half way up before returning down..

I'll stop talking now and leave the beautiful pictures here!

About an 8th of the way up, is where they sell the 絵馬 ema (wooden plaques with written prayers) and 御守り Japanese amulets. The Fox is regarded as the messengers in Inari shrines, so they are seen often throughout the place.

This was the adorable little fox amulet we bought on our way down. They are tiny hollowed clay figures with your fortune inside.

Theres even mini torii too, so cute

The hardest thing here is trying to get a clear picture without a million other people in the background.. but as you make your way up, the crowd lessens as well.

Third Stop: 祢ざめ家 Nezameya

Founded in 1540, like many other shops in Kyoto has a long and vast history in the area. Nezameya specialises in eel dishes.

We ordered two unagi don set, a nezameya set, and a sanshumori (assorted sushi). I wasn't too hungry so I only had the three type assorted sushi, and a few tastes of the eel rice. The eel is grilled by order, cooked very well, tender but chewy and drizzeled with their house sauce.

Would recommend if you fancy some fresh eel!

Nezameya set (unagi don + kitsune udon)

In the nearby souvenir shops I found this little cat figurine. For some reason I found it hilarious.

Later on we figured it this was a thing in Kyoto's souvenir shops *hint hint* LOL

eh heh~

During the evenings, we visited the underground shopping street. The place was busy and filled with all kinds of stores, a really great place to shop and end our first day here in Kyoto!