Momoko's OOKINI Japan Holiday Guide ~ Part 1; What's on in Kyoto Japan Now (京都) !! ~
こんにちは！！桃色ウミウシ、桃子です！
今回は京都を訪れるかもしれない外国の方への英文ブログですが、皆さんも宜しかったら是非ご覧下さいね！！普通の観光案内や情報とは、ちょっと違います。今現在、桃子が感じる京の街をご紹介致します。
Hellooooo~, how are you everybody?
And very welcome to my Momoko’s OOKINI Holiday Guide Blog!! (Ookini; means “thank you very much” in Kyoto dialect)
My name is Momoko and I live right here in Kyoto city, Japan, as a Japanese Tea Ceremony Teacher for English speakers. I have been living in Kyoto quite a long time so I would LOVE to introduce you to unique, extraordinary and authentic Kyoto. I have lived in Australia for quite a long time, too. I love sports (dance, Scuba Diving, SUP-Surfing, Pilates and walking), travelling, cooking, animals, gardening and playing my harp. If you would like to try my blog as a guide for your next holiday destination or just to feel as if you are walking around Kyoto with me as your new friend, that would be fantastic!!
OK!! Shall we go now?!
Oh, you know that...the best advice for sightseeing in Kyoto is "Go Early in the Morning!!" During the morning stroll in the famous streets, you will get the best instagram shots as there are only a few people.
In Kyoto we have sooooo many places to visit. It’s such an old city, actually the oldest city in Japan (about 1300 years old). It was the 1st capital city, followed by Kamakura, and now, Tokyo. If you want to fully explore Kyoto, you will probably need at least 2 full weeks to absorb the history.
As I said before, I work as a Japanese Tea Ceremony teacher and my workshop is located very close to a traditional street called Ninen-zaka (2 year slope) in Higashiyama-ward. This narrow and cute street is connected with Ichinen-zaka (1 year slope) to the Western side, you can just hop into my favorite temple, Kodaiji Temple. The other end of the street is connected with Sannen-zaka (3 year slope) to East hill where one can find is one of Kyoto’s biggest icons, Kiyomizu Temple. This Ninen-zaka has an ancient jinx that says if you trip up as you walk along the street, then you will die within 2 years…. Hahaha…scary~!
But now, the most recent development on the street is “Park Hyatt Kyoto (パークハイアット京都; ↓ please see the picture) in a World Heritage area, the site is 13,698.11㎡ wide! I’m just wondering how it happened to be right next to my Kodaiji Temple!!
It has beautiful architecture which is in keeping with the local character.
The front entrance faces to West on the hill so it could be so nice and romantic to go there for sundowners. You will look down on the city, see the city’s ocean of black roof tiles. Also, views to the ocean with Yasaka Pagoda, Kyoto Tower and the city lights.
On this street, you will see a traditional Kyoto townhouse Machi-ya (町屋) café called “Starbucks”, too!! It's very unique Chaya (茶屋; cafe) shop with Tatami seats (畳間), completed with cooperation from local governments. I'm not a Starbucks girl but this location is worth the visit. No electrical air conditioning in the hallway but there are natural air conditional systems in the corners if you carefully look around.
*** [Tip 1] It is not culturally polite to walk around the street with any food or drink in hand (Starbucks staff walks around with a dustpan and brush for regular rubbish collection though), so please do not. You will also have a hard time finding a garbage can in Japan. ***
I don't much walk around this area at day time due to the number of tourists, but at night time the area is super quiet. I like to walk the area at night. It's sooo beautiful... all authentic stone pavements, buildings and gardens with street lights and the night breeze.
Another traditional jinx or folklore is called "Hyakki-Yagyo (百鬼夜行; Night Parade of One Hundred Demons / One Hundred Ghosts Walking)" !! They are many ghosts living at the temples and shrines here. They are good ghosts only (well some are naughty… like a kitchen furnace, a long neck woman, an umbrella with one eye and one leg, and so on of Japanese supernatural creatures). One night I would like to meet one of those…
I think it is a fascinating cultural clash, where western capitalism meets eastern traditions!!
Ohhhh… I forgot to tell you… that “Hotel Shangri-La Kyoto ” will be opened within 2 years time near my place and Nijo Castle in Nakagyo-ward. Yaaaay!!! It’s all happening here!!!
My Aussie friend asked me "Do you mind having those hotels around your area?” Well... as long as the hotels keep their good status under Kyoto council policy which is very strict for protecting these historical areas and make our local community happy. I’m fine!!
↑ I’ve found a lovely beautiful Kyoto video in English with Chinese subtitle by Sam Yan (Well Done, Sam!!) and it shows such an excellent details of natural and local Kyoto (a great insight to the old and subterranean aqua of ancient Kyoto, and its water rituals).
*** [Tip 2] Drunken Driving; It’s only ZERO alcohol driving in Japan!! The penalty will be imprisonment for up to 5 years or fine of 1,000,000 yen or less, and the passenger(s) have to pay the same as well. ***
It’s getting cool in Kyoto now. There will be autumn colours on the streets soon as Japanese gardens and mountains turn red with crimson foliages. It’s time to enjoy many great fall flavors!! I’m sooo excited to think about it, especially the traditional and seasonal sweets for a Japanese tea ceremony called Wagashi (Japanese confectionery; 和菓子) !! Yummmyyy~♥♥♥
http://www.kanou.com/shop/chashitsu
If you would like to try making Wagashi yourself in Kyoto, then I will recommend you to go to an hand-on Wagashi cooking class at an old and historical sweet shop called "Kanshun-do (↓ 甘春堂)". You will enjoy the class with many Japanese sweet lovers there.
http://www.kanshundo.co.jp/museum/make/annai_e.htm
And if you are a tea lover and want to enjoy an experience of Japanese Tea Ceremony plus making Matcha green tea yourself, then go to “Tea Ceremony Camelia (↓ 茶道体験カメリア)” is for you.
Ok, that it for now!!
Thank you so much for having me. I hope you enjoyed my first English version blog.
See you later until my next blog then!!
Have a glorious day, week and weekend, everybody!!!
Cheers! Ookini~~!!
Momoko xoxoxo
*** If you’ve enjoyed my blog then please give me your feedback that makes my motivation for future blog, thanks!! On Facebook, that could be fantastic to get “ thumbs up! ” also on Twitter “ Follow! ” and then for Tweet “ ♥ ” or “ Share! ” Of course I would love to have your comment(s), too!!
Thank you so much for your time and see you very soon!! ***
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ありがとうございます！！ ***
