KYOTO - Kiyomizudera Temple & Beautiful Geishas

I have just updated some photos this morning...

I have not finished blogging my Osaka photos yet but I am fast forwarding to Kyoto. I counted myself as very fortunate that I managed to see so many Geishas in real persons! We stayed in a 4 Star posh Royal Kyoto Hotel &Spa in the heart of downtown which costs us only RM200 a night during their very special promotions. For best deals, we need to book many months ahead.

We took a train to the station nearest to Kiyomizudera Temple and it was a very tough walk for us to climb up a long steep slope that got steeper & steeper as we got closer to the destination. This big temple is located on the rolling hills which overlooks Kyoto. One fat & rich DJ friend joined us later by taking a taxi which dropped him & his family right at the steps of the temple. How nice! I lost kilos of weight by walking whereas he gained lots of weight by taking taxis everywhere!

The wooden shops along the way are very old and traditional with the pretty Japanese styled sliding doors with windows and doors in squares. I loved to admire and feel all their doors, imagining the samurais and ninjas were hiding behind.

Finally after passing hundreds of shops along the slope, I arrived at the entrance of the temple. More steps were waiting for me to climb up.. It was worth the trip to enjoy the scenic views and breathe the mountain's fresh air. It was very packed with school children and visitors that evening but we managed to take photos without the crowd! I noticed that in Kyoto, you will be able to see ladies in their traditional kimono outfits walking along the streets and few men in their traditional Yukatas. It was such a pretty sight.

Kiyomizudera Temple was founded in year 798 and the entire construction of the several temple buildings took place in the year 1633. This whole Buddhist temple was built without a single nail..!! It is so solid and very amazing! It has been listed as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and UNESCO World Heritage Site. You must visit there. Hear me?

This tall Pagoda was also built without any nails! The Japanese design and architecture was simply awesome by looking at their motifs, features and layout since the ancient times when machinery was not being invented yet.
The right photo shows the path going down the granite steps leading to their mountain stream where blessed water was available to visitors.

I lined up and got my share to drink the water of 'Eternal Youth' which made me look younger and handsomer! Ermm!... The right photo shows myself and my Planking-Queen. Some fortune tellers and psychics told me that I was a Japanese in past lives during the Tokugawa Shogunate era! Do I look like a Japanese? *wink *wink....my small eyes!

You can make wishes by scribbling on the small pieces of wood and hang up. Many people believe that their wishes came true. Below is the main building which has large wooden verandah for visitors to take photos and admire the green tree tops! In olden days many people committed suicide and jumped off from that verandah! Blergh!... So gory!

I was drinking more blessed water from the holy taps. Here I drank it from the dragon's mouth and rubbed its head many times! Huat arrrrrr!....

Nearby the scenic Japanese pond, I stumbled upon 3 Geishas who came in their most colourful Kimono outfits complete with their heavy dolled make-ups! They were making their way up the steps gracefully and stopped politely for so many shutter-bugs to snap photos. I was so happy to see them for the first time in my life!

In the evening, we took a long stroll down the streets and head to Gion area which is their famous red light district. It was a peaceful and tranquil area with hardly anyone on the streets. There are rows of closed door restaurants and drinking houses where I believed, all the customers were inside, away from public view. Ahaa..... I was fortunate to spot a Geisha walking briskly and accompanied by 2 chaperones who wore no make ups. They were heading towards a place that looked like a huge entertainment house! (Middle right photo)

A Geisha (Geiko or Geigi) are traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance. Many Geishas are very well trained artisans who could serve tea in the most perfect manner besides playing musical instruments and entertaining guests. 

 

That evening, it was chilly and cold with nice breeze of early Spring. We all ate in a cottage-like restaurant and ate wholeheartedly till I was too lazy to walk back to the hotel. I think it was over 20km of slow walk but I was pleased that I saw so many attractive Geishas!! Sometimes, visitors were not able to see any Geisha anywhere as they don't appear or loiter along the streets.

Later that night, I went to the Sento in the backlanes and soaked happily in their hot jacuzzis! I was instantly rejuvenated and alive again.

Hope you enjoyed the photos! HAPPY FRIDAY & HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!