Inari Shinto Shrine Kyoto

A must visit .. when one is in Kyoto.  The Fushimi-Inari Taisha jinja (shrine) in the south-eastern suburbs of Fushimi-ku, Kyoto is one of most recognizable icons of Japan, and the 4km long corridor of reddish-orange gates called torii that snake their way up Inari Mountain were featured in the 2005 film Memoirs of a Geisha.

Fushimi-Inari is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit Inari, who’s name was derived from ine-nari, or “growing rice” or “grain.” The Fushimi-Inari shrine is the oldest and most prominent Inari shrine, and the founding of the shrine in 711 AD coincides with the earliest recorded worship of the spirit Inari.

Melon Flavored Bread

Trust the Japanese to not only come out with unique food.. but everything about the food is so unique.. the shape.. and the way it will be wrapped up for it to go.

Daimaru Department Store boasts one of the biggest food floors in Kyoto. They offer a wide range of Western delicacies, pastries and chocolates, a good selection of sake and a respectable wine department. There are also many stalls devoted to Kyoto’s specialty foods such as tofu, fu (wheat gluten), yuba (tofu skin), and beautiful vegetables, both fresh and pickled.

They’re located right next to the western end of the traditional outdoor Nishiki Market, and visiting one after the other provides an interesting study in contrasts.

Japanese Students & American Teachers

It is often rumored that the American male teachers that lands a teaching job in Japan, majority gets involved with his student.  I’ll have to say .. that it is not a rumor at all.  In my short 6 months stay in Japan… i had encountered many such case.

The japanese gals are in awe of their american teacher.. and of course.. the american teach are smitten by these cute japanese gals.. and their seemingly meek characteristic.  A personal friend of mine .. was so into his japanese student turned girlfriend.. that he cannot stop taking millions of pictures of her.. and her friends that he had to have so many spare flash memory cards with him.  I know he also traveled a lot around Japan because of her.

So is it right or wrong..??  you ask me.   Ethically it is wrong.. but who am i or anyone to say right.  Plus they were really happy.. and i can fully understand the reason behind it.  They are far from home.. and the japanese gals.. they want someone really nice.

The Japanese Sure Loves Their Beans

I was in Osaka for a vacation and you can be sure .. that the Japanese loves their beans.  You see many of these open stores.. everywhere in the neighbourhood.. and they are run by your regular mom and pop kind of set up.  They had barley, black beans, azuki beans and green beans as well .. and there is peanuts right .. at the left hand side.

Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho)

Imperial Throne of Shishinden

The Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) was used by the Imperial family until 1868 but the emperor moved the capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. Located at the Imperial Park, the palace burnt down.. and was moved to the city. Long walls and several gates, hall and gardens sees the enthronement of Emperors Taisho and Showa.

We were on a guided tour to the place held and coordinated by the Imperial Household agency. Donch forget you need to apply for permission in advance with your passport before you are granted a tour at the Kyoto Imperial Palace. And yes.. they have English tours too.

Memoirs Of A Geisha

I read this book a few years ago.. by Arthur Golden. It was a really interesting read.. and better than the movie. It is funny how Golden said.. that Geishas are not prostitute.. yet in his book, it protrays a story of a young Geisha .. who became a lover of her client..?? There is a mixture of truth.. and fiction it seems in this book. And to some.. they portray being a Geisha as a high class thing .. but to others.. they think not.

In Golden’s book .. Memoirs of A Geisha, it talks about a fisherman daughters.. from a little town called Yoroido. Chiyo who was sold with her sister to slavery becomes Sayuri and entertaining men she did after suffering alot of hardship. It also talks about the cruel owner and her training and the evil Granny and Mother .. who took all her earnings. It’s pretty interesting.. to read.. and if you are like me.. who loves everything japanese.. you would definitely be able to finish the story book within days.

Taizo In Zen Buddhist Temple In Kyoto

The Japanese are mostly buddhist and you can see them praying on different occasions and visits to the temple is often with them. Taizo-In Temple, a Zen temple, was founded by Hatano Shigemichi, a daimyo of Izumo Province. Shigemichi was a Zen convert of the third Superintendent Priest, Muin Soin in the 11th year of the Oei Era (1404 AD). Taizo-In is the oldest among the 40 temples at Myoshinji, a large temple complex in the heart of Kyoto City. It contains beautiful Japanese gardens, traditional Zen stone gardens, the Dragon King Falls, ponds, several sculptures of Buddha, and various temple buildings.