Travel Eat Drink Like a Local

Day 7: Tenryuji Temple | Arashiyama Bamboo Forrest | Sagano | Arashiyama Early morning traditional breakfast at the hotel trying to beat the crowds at the Tenryuji Temple. Breakfast! Took a taxi to Tenryuji Temple. About 30 minutes away from Sanjo area. Tenryunji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the head temple of Zen Buddhism. The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339 to venerate Gautama Buddha. Tenryunji Temple grounds  Dharma Hall of Tenryunji Zen Temple A rare  picture thanks to a good Samaritan Meditation Hall Main Hall Inside the Drawing Hall (Shoin) is a Bodhidharma painting. Bodhidarma was an Indian monk who passed the teachings of Zen to China. Sogen Garden is said to be one of the best examples of shakkei (borrowed scenery) in Japan: the steep mountains of Arashiyama are perfectly incorporated into the design of the garden. There is a restaurant “Shigetsu” located within the temple and is...

Day 5: Arrive in Kyoto | Nishiki Market | Kinkaku-ji | Pontocho Alley | Gion In the morning of day five we took a local train from Hakone-Yamoto Station to Odawara Station to catch the Hikari Shinkensen (Bullet Train) that would take us to Kyoto. About 250 miles covered in 2 hours. Kyoto Shinkensen station is like an airport. We used the luggage forwarding service at the station to send our luggage to the hotel and ventured out to explore. From Kyoto Station took Karasuma Line to Shijo Station then walked a little to Nishiki Market for lunch.  Nishiki Market Chestnuts These outfits are so pretty! How did they get that quail egg inside the tiny octopus 🐙 🤭? All we know now is it tastes soooo good! Wagyu Beef Skewers Salted grilled and filled with roe We walked to our hotel, The Royal Park Kyoto Shijo  to check-in. There's no better location than this to be a walking tourist or one who will be using public transportation. In Kyoto,...