The following morning we set off from the hotel, heading for Gion.
We walked along a quiet street, parallel to Karasuma street.
Along the way, we passed temples and shrines.
After a short walk, we turned west on to Shijo-dori street.
We crossed over Shijoo Bridge, continuing along Shijo-dori street.
We turned right, heading south down Hanamikoji Dori street.
We walked down the quiet street, flanked with traditional buildings.
As we came to the end of the street, we stumbled upon Kenninji temple.
After a brief look around, we continued west, and headed down Hoshinocho alley.
We stopped in at %Aribica’s Higashiyama shop for a quick coffee.
%Aribica
- ¥
- Price
- Coffee
- Place
We found a spot in the cozy bar.
I ordered a pourover, and Alyssa ordered a flat white.
After a short break, we departed %Aribica, and continued west, up a slightly inclined path towards Hōkan-ji Temple.
As we approached the crest of the lane, we watched as cars approaching from opposite sides navigated the single lane, feeling some second-hand driving anxiety, as they navigated the single lane road.
We wandered through the small lanes of South Higashiyama, stopping in at shops and stalls.
After a look around, we headed to a nearby Starbucks, remodelled inside an old Japanese teahouse.
Starbucks Highashiyama
- ¥
- Price
- Coffee
- Place
We entered, the interior was beautifully presented.
We ordered our drinks, made our way upstairs, and found a free spot to sit, crossing my legs with some (much) difficulty.
After a serene break, we departed.
We looked around a few nearby stalls, including a candy store, before making our way back.
We hopped on a bus, and made our way for North Higashiyama.
A short while later we arrived, and headed west for Higashiyama Jisho-ji.
On the way to Higashiyama Jisho-ji we stopped for a snack, opting for a roasted sweet potato, and a steamed pork bun.
We continued our way up the street to Higashiyama Jisho-ji, flanked on either side by stalls of street food vendors, and souvenir shops.
Soon, we arrived at the entrance of Higashiyama Jisho-ji.
We made our way into the beautiful grounds of the Zen temple.
We followed the path clockwise through the gardens, admiring the beauty and tranquility.
As the path continued, we began to ascend up a hill side, which afforded some truly breathtaking views of the garden, and the surrounding area.
We continued on the path, and made our way back down.
We then departed the temple.
We passed through the vendor stalls on our way back down the street. At the bottom, we turned left, and made our way along the Philosopher’s Path.
We continued South along the Philosopher’s Path. We decided to take a quick look at the nearby Hōnen-in Temple.
It was now early afternoon, and time for lunch.
By chance, as we departed Hōnen-in temple, we spotted an interesting looking Tofu restaurant, and decided to take a look inside.
喜さ起
- ¥¥¥
- Price
- Tofu
- Restaurant
We settled in for a serene, peaceful lunch of tofu.
After a very satisfying lunch of tofu and tempura, we departed, and made our way through quiet, suburban streets.
After picking up a spare lightning charging cable at a nearby convenience store, we stopped in for a quick coffee at a coffee shop on Shirakawa Dori.
Pullst Cafe
- ¥
- Price
- Coffee
- Place
After a quick pick-me-up, we left, and caught a bus back to the Kyoto CBD.
We alighted in Gion, and walked from there back to Imu Kyoto Hotel.
Later that evening, we departed our hotel in search of dinner.
We made our way back towards Nishiki Markets.
Just outside the market entrance, we found a ¥300 shop.
After a brief look around, we headed down Nishhiki Markets, headed for Gogyo Ramen.
Eventually, we arrived at Gogyo. There was a bit of a line.
A lady in front helpfully informed us we needed to add our name to the list, so I headed to the front, and with some help from Google Translate, attempted to write my name.
I returned to our spot in line. I found myself wishing we could be passing the time in a bar, when I remembered—street drinking is legal in Japan!
A light drizzle of rain fell as I set off to find a convenience store. I grabbed us each a drink, and returned to the queue.
Feeling like I was perhaps sharing a bit too much of Australian drinking culture, we knocked back our tinnies while waiting for our turn.
This made the wait go much quicker.
Gogyo
- ¥¥¥
- Price
- Kogashi Ramen
- Restaurant
We stepped inside the cozy restaurant and were seated out the back.
We were presented with menus to order, and both opted for the soy-based Kogashi ramen.
The ramen was incredibly full of flavour, with a smokey, charred flavour, well accented by the presence of chopped onion.
It was a very unique experience, and similarly enjoyable to my favourite ramen in Japan, Ichiran.
After a very hearty bowl of ramen, we departed.
Feeling quite tired from a long day, we headed back to the hotel for a nightcap before bed.