Japan Day 5 - Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera
Took the train to Kyoto again, but this time went to see a temple in the east of Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera. This is a temple that has a wooden structure that stands out in stark contrast to the the surrounding verdant green forest on a hill. It is also known for it's clear spring water (Kiyomizu = clear/fresh water) and I read that you can drink some of this water and get a wish granted. I thought that sounded like great fun!
As usual when you get to Kyoto station, get you day bus pass and check out the signs to see which is the best bus to take to get to Kiyomizu-dera. Follow the crowd when you get off the bus and you will find yourself on an uphill walk past lots of shops selling omiyage or souvenirs. You do get quite a few free tastings :)
Again, this looked like a popular place for school excursions -__- don't go in May/June if you don't like crowds of children
As you near the top of the hill you get the first glimpse of the vermillion gate above the heads of all the people.
The entry fee is 300 yen, which is not stamped or dated as you enter, so really you could go again and again with the same ticket if you were stingy...
You walk past some smaller halls (that were under renovation you can see that the hall in the background of the above picture is also under renovation -__-) but the main attraction is the main hall with the jutting out platform. You don't actually realise how high up the hill you walked until you look out from this platform and have a wonderful view of the Kyoto skyline.
There is a nice walk around where you can take all the famous pictures of the temple
Follow the path down and it gets quieter, looks like the schoolkids don't venture down there.
But you end up at the famous waterfall where there will be a long line of people waiting their turn to take a sip of the spring water. There are three streams and each one is supposed to represent a different benefit. Apparently you will be considered to be greedy if you drink from all three.
Of course I joined the line of people and waited my turn for the ladle. I thought the etiquette was that you catch the water with the ladle, but you pour the water into the cup of your hand and drink from your hand. I did see quite a few people drink straight from the ladle though, but it seems that the potential outbreak of germs has crossed the minds of the temple stewards, so they installed a fancy UV sterilisation system for the ladles.
I did pour the water into my hand :) water was clear and tasty and I took a drink from the left stream (if you are facing the crowd)
You can then take the shortcut back to the main stage by taking the stairs. Tucked behind is Jishu shrine and seems to be dedicated to the god of love. They also have a "Love Stone"
Actually, there are supposed to be two, here is one of them
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The idea is that you are to try and walk between the two stones with your eyes closed and touch the second one. If you make it to the second stone by yourself, then it represents that you will find your true love by yourself. If you need someone else to guide you to the stone, it means that you will find your love through an intermediary. Lots of kids were trying out the stones. The girl in grey was at one stone and the other was at the far end of the picture. Lots of screaming kids as they make it to the stones by themselves.
The amulets sold here have a particular theme
I like how the barriers that they set up for construction have to be kawaii, I've seen yellow ducks too
Maybe some pickled cucumber on a stick? Was expensive though, 250 yen each! I think one was spicy and one was not.
That night was the conference dinner, that was another story by itself, but needless to say it involved a karaoke machine and drunk professors "singing" songs. Best to leave it here at that
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