We spent today touring at Kiyomizudera temple and the surrounding area, where there are several interesting things going on. There is a 13 meter wall which grants wishes to those who jump off and survive (a now prohibited practice), and two stones that profess true love when walked from one to the other with eyes shut. We spent a good fifteen minutes getting everyone across the stones, which was plenty hectic and fun. After visiting the temple, we went on a long road down the mountain. There were so many little shops along the sides that most of our day was spent there. There were several ice cream stores, yatsuhashi stores, a boy band fan shop, a Miyazaki merchandise store, yukata, wooden utensil, and many many more. My favorite part of all this is that most of the stores were handing out free samples of yatsuhashi and green tea (matcha), which were very tasty and much needed on the hot day. Tiffany bought some hot black tea at the bottom of the street which she kindly shared, and we took a rest in front of the very friendly shopkeeper. We turned onto streets with very old Kyoto architecture. We quickly stopped by another shrine on the way back to the bus, where we purified ourselves with water, and got blessed in a circle-walking ritual. We had a bus change in a busy area of Kyoto, so we decided to hang out there for half an hour. Half the group went inside a famous department store, and the other half checked out a Japanese arcade. The arcade was amazing and everything was high quality and very fun. Those who went to the arcade especially liked the taiko drumming video game and another touch-pad rhythm game. The second bus concluded our day, and we went back to Kyoto Gaidai Nishi to meet our host families and go home. Everything was exciting, the heat wasn't too bad, and all in all the day was spent with a lot of fun. - Yoni
5 Comments
Tatiana Taubin
6/25/2014 04:42:57 pm
Thank you, Yoni, for your post! Enjoy your adventure!
Reply
Yossi Shalhevet
6/25/2014 09:37:32 pm
I am Oren's grandfather in Israel. I am jealous that I am not with you. Sounds like a great trip. Please give my regards to Oren, enjoy and all the best to all of you.
Reply
Efrat Zinnar-shavit
6/26/2014 03:19:24 am
Hi Yoni and group - absolutely loved the detailed description. It is almost as good as being there with you : ) Thanks for sharing! Efrat
Reply
Toshi
6/26/2014 02:33:45 pm
Everyone, welcome to Japan! Enjoy!
Reply
Roger
7/1/2014 03:23:37 am
Yoni, I would establish a protest group and lobby to abolish the prohibition on the 13m wall. How undemocratic to curb the aspiration of those who want to take the leap.... !!!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorBlog post here are from the 2014 and 2016 Japan Trips. New blog posts will be updated in April 2018 as our new group begins to travel! Archives
April 2018
Categories |