Today, we were saying goodbye to our Tokyo tour guide Seiko san and took the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. This is a very comfortable way to travel. The only thing to consider when using the bullet train is that there is not a lot of room for luggage. Pretty much all of us had to store a suitcase in front of our legs. Other than that, it is a wonderful ride along the ocean and through the mountains.
Upon arrival at the train station we boarded our bus and took off to the Heian shrine. The torii (gate) in front of the shrine is one of the largest in Japan. When you pass through these gates, your body is being purified. The Heian shrine was build in 1895 and is surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Upon arrival at the train station we boarded our bus and took off to the Heian shrine. The torii (gate) in front of the shrine is one of the largest in Japan. When you pass through these gates, your body is being purified. The Heian shrine was build in 1895 and is surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Next we visited the Kiyomizu pottery workshop. We were able to watch these artists life and even try out the pottery wheel ourselves.
The tasks in this workshop are split up – one person does the pottery, another the painting, another the glazing and another the firing of the finished products. One potter makes approx. 80-100 matcha bowls a day. Having sat on the pottery wheel myself makes me appreciate even more the craftsmanship that is behind pottery. I will surely appreciate each piece much more than I did before this visit. The workshop has a showroom in the front and some of the pieces there were amazing. Aside from everyday pottery they had a number of pricey items. One of them being a matcha set for $2000 US.
Our path led us briefly through Gion. The area is probably the best known geisha district in Japan. And indeed we were lucky and ran into a couple of geishas. It is interesting how much commotion they cause. Just have a look how interested the two gentlemen in the background are. Quite something.
We stopped at the tearoom and teashop of the Ippodo Tea Company, where we savoured Kyoto style matcha. First, you are being served the traditional matcha sweets and thick matcha. Then they take your bowl again and your receive the bowl again – this time with regular strength matcha. When I received the thick matcha, I didn’t even see the matcha – I thought it was the colour/paint of the matcha cup. That’s how thick it was. I must say though, that I do enjoy thin matcha better than the Kyoto style.
Our dinner in the evening was a traditional Kaiseki dinner. This is a traditional meal served before the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu). It consists of multiple courses and lasted about 2 hours.
At night we are staying at a Ryokan - it is a traditional Japanese hotel with tatami rooms.The ryokan also has a public bath. Even though you have to get used to the limited privacy, the relaxation is worth a visit!
