Ginkaku-ji

Today I rode my bike up to the Ginkaku-ji. I passed Kyoto University along the way. It was quite busy as many people are coming to view the fall foliage.

Here is just past the entrance to the temple.

Sand garden.


There is a short walk up into the hillside.



I forgot that the actual temple itself is under construction. Our teacher had mentioned it previously, but I was not thinking and just wanted to get out and see some sights.



After Ginkaku-ji, I went along the Philosopher's Walk (哲学の道）. I would like to come back after a snowfall to see how it looks.



Lastly, a striking yellow tree just outside the zoo.

Korean BBQ

First a random evening photo with Kyoto Tower.

Today was Erik's birthday so we decided to go to a 90 minute all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink (alcohol included) Korean BBQ. I think it is one of best deals we have found so far. The total cost was around 2500 Yen per person, and the quality of food was good. I was not hungry for a couple of days! ;-) We'll most likely be going once a month from now on.

Since arriving in Japan, I have actually lost weight and find myself almost always hungry. I think it is due to the combination of more exercise (getting around by foot and bike) and having a slightly poorer diet - rice and noodles are filling, but maybe not so much nutrition in them.

In fact, in general, I am not a big fan of MacDonalds and would eat there only a few times a year in the US. But here, I now go there once/twice a week just to get their Mega Mac (4 patties) so I can get some protein. Also, I'm trying to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

On Sunday, the Swedes and I headed to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto Gosho. The Kyoto Imperial Palace is an imperial palace of Japan, though the Emperor of Japan is not in residence. The Emperor has resided at the Tokyo Imperial Palace since 1869 (Meiji Restoration) and ordered the preservation of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in 1877.

Normally, one can only view the palace by signing up for a guided tour before hand, but once (or twice) a year, they open it up to the general public. So we took advantage of the general opening and went for a look.


Walking across the Kamo River on the way to the Palace. The fall colors are really coming out now and should last for a couple of more weeks. I had heard that people plant the trees knowing what colors the leaves will be and when they will change. So it is like a slow motion fireworks display, lasting a few weeks.

Outside the wall surrounding the Imperial Palace.

Just inside now.



Can anyone spot Alissa and Anders?




Pond and garden (oike and niwa). We all agreed this spot was the best and wished we could have just stayed here a while.



Walking on the way back, we stumbled upon a store selling these melons for 6000 Yen each (roughly $60 USD). I believe this type of expensive fruit is meant to be given as a gift. It is the thought that counts, right? Each piece of fruit is supposed to be perfect without any deformities, blemishes, etc. I wonder if one of them is ever rotten on the inside?

The melons were too expensive so I settled on the 2500 YEN watermelons . . . NOT!

Bowling and Keitei (携帯)

This weekend we decided to go bowling. It is one of those things that is fun to do once or twice a year. And we were curious to see what it is like in Japan. We wanted to "break down the pins and get hot communication." ;-) I love Engrish: http://www.engrish.com/


All in all, about the same as the US, except the atmosphere felt a bit different. The only thing that came to mind for me was that the entire area was lit up. I think in the US normally only the lanes themselves are quite bright, and everything in the back is kept at a lower lighting level. At the end of the game(s), one gets a print-out with a mark-up of each frame bowled showing what pins were knocked down. On my first game I bowled a 141, with 2 strikes and 4 spares. The second game was not as good . . .

Afterward, the girls played a little taiko drumming.

This weekend I finally got a Japanese mobile phone, or keitei (携帯). I received my foreign registration card so I was able to get a phone with a contract. I think in the long run it will be cheaper than going the pre-paid route.

But, if you think the cell phone plans in the US are confusing, then watch out for Japan. I am sure the lack of language ability complicated things, but even with an English brochure, I found the plans confusing. There seems to be quite a number of different options, combinations, discounts, limits, etc.

And, on top of that, even if one decides on a specific company, e.g. Docomo or AU, then the offers vary depending on the store one visits. Apparently, the store owner has some discretion as to what he can offer. In fact, I went to three different AU stores before getting the phone. The second store did not have the phone I wanted on sale, so I walked across the street (literally) to another AU store which had it on sale. And their overall price was cheaper than the first store I visited . . .

But, the phone I got is a really cool Sony Ericsson. I am sure it will take me forever to figure out all the options. And they were able to let me pick the last 4 digits of the 8 digit phone number. Once I chose the last 4 numbers, I was presented with what was available for the first 4. So for my last 4 digits, I picked the street address number of my childhood home in New Orleans.

And I also get an email address associated with the phone. So that is really cool too. Apparently, here SMS, or text messages, are not so popular. It is only allowed between people using the same mobile company. Instead, everyone uses email to send text message and pictures.

Mount Kurama

Today, Monday, was a school holiday in Japan. Our school, Nihongo Center (日本語センター), organized a hike up nearby Mount Kurama. We all met at the school and then took the subway out of Kyoto and then switched to a train to take us to the base of the mountain.

Mount Kurama is a mountain to the north-west of the city of Kyoto. It is the birthplace of the Reiki practice, and is said to be the home of Sōjōbō, king of the tengu, who taught swordsmanship to Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

Below are some photos taken along the way. In case you have noticed (if anyone is still reading this blog), I am more into photos and less into commentary . . .







The leaves are just starting to change, and in a couple of weeks fall should be brilliantly showing. It might be a good time to return. Also, I think it would be nice to return after some snowfall in the winter to view the scenery.


Just getting going.


Some of the trees we saw were 600 & 700 years old. One was even 1000 years old!


Here we have reached our destination. All-in-all the hike was not too bad. Some good spirited exercise.

Erik, the crazy Swede, adjusts to the mountain air.

Another Swede climbs trees.

Heading back down.

Not sure what these flowers are, but I know their name in Japanese, NOT. I'm not too good with flower names in English (or Japanese). I also saw blue and yellow versions of the same flower. I'll get a close-up next time.

More ema (絵馬).