金己田's Reviews Page 10/15

Toji Temple

This temple was built in 794 along with Sai-ji Temple two years after the capital city was moved to Heiankyo. Although Sai-ji turned into a ruin by the end of Heian Period, Toji kept being rebuilt after each fire damage. The Kondo (Golden) Hall built by Toyotomi Hideyori and the five-storied pagoda gifted by Tokugawa Iemitsu still remain to this day, designated as national treasures.

• Kyoto
• Shrines & Temples

Toji Temple is absolutely one of the most worthwhile temples to visit in Kyoto!
It may not be as famous as Kiyomizu-dera, and it may not have flashy flower water displays, but at Toji you can experience a 3D Buddhist world and see Japan’s tallest five-story pagoda!

Shoyeido Kunjyukan

Kunjyukan, operated by Shoyeido, is a hub for information on incense with over 300 years of history. On the first floor is Koh-labo "Exploring Incense", offering a variety of interactive fragrance experiences.

• Kyoto
• Experiences Facilities

Shoyeido, Kyoto’s long-established incense maker, created Kunjyukan to promote Japan’s incense culture. The space isn’t very large, but the modern design gives this traditional culture a fresh new look. The three Kaori Boxes especially had an unexpectedly futuristic feel!

If you’re new to incense, I definitely recommend trying the incense capsule machine and seeing what kind of scent you get. It might just make you fall in love with incense.

ShinPuhKan

The ShinPuhKan, a commercial facility in Karasuma Oike, reopened in 2020, blending historical architecture with new construction. The brick-built "Preserved Building" is a renovated structure of the old Kyoto Central Telephone Office from 1926, designated as Kyoto City’s first registered cultural property.

• Kyoto
• Commercial Buildings

While casually wandering through Kyoto’s side streets, you’ll definitely be drawn to ShinPuhKan. I happened to walk over from the Ace Hotel side, and Kengo Kuma’s distinctive architectural style made me recognize it right away—“This is the place!”
The entrance to ShinPuhKan is also super stylish, and once inside, I was surprised to find a lush green courtyard. There aren’t that many shops, but they all feel thoughtfully curated. The one I highly recommend is BEAMS JAPAN, where you can find lots of affordable yet beautifully made Japanese goods. The staff were also warm and friendly. If your itinerary takes you nearby, I definitely recommend stopping in!

The Head Temple of the Tendai Sect, Mt. Hiei (Hieizan) Enryakuji Temple

It is a vast temple whose precincts are the area around Mt. Hiei (Hieizan) at the altitude of 848 meters and was built in 788 by Saicho, who opened the Tendai sect. Filling a role as a comprehensive Buddhist university, it has been called "the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism" and has had a great influence on the history of Japan. Moreover, it also played a role in protecting Kyoto, which was the capital for 1000 years. It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994.

• Shiga
• Shrines & Temples

Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei is divided into three areas: Todo, Saito, and Yokawa, with Todo serving as the main center.
Although the Konpon Chudo is undergoing a major 10-year renovation, it remains open for worship during construction, and visitors can also observe the restoration work.
Saito is smaller in scale and has an overall peaceful atmosphere, and its buildings reflect a strong sense of history.
Yokawa is the most remote area, and its Chudo was designed based on a ship used by envoys to Tang China. Seen from a distance, it looks like a boat floating in the mountains.

Kasugataisha Shrine

At the beginning of the Nara period, Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto is said to have ridden on sacred deer from Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture to Mt. Mikasa to protect Heijo-kyo and promote national prosperity.

• Nara
• Shrines & Temples

From the moment you step onto the approach to Kasugataisha Shrine, you're surrounded by lush forest and weathered stone lanterns. At the end of the path, the vermilion corridor appears. If it weren’t for all the tourists around, it would almost feel like traveling back in time!
Following the visitor route, we came to Fujinami-no-ya. It’s a small, completely dark space lit by the glow of countless lanterns. I can only imagine how much more spectacular it must be during the Mantoro festival.

Sightseeing Limited Express "AONIYOSHI”

Debuting in April 2022, this new sightseeing limited express train operated by Kintetsu connects the three capitals of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto without changing trains. The train's name, "AONIYOSHI," is a pillow word Japanese waka poem that refers to the ancient capital Nara.

• Osaka
• Kyoto
• Nara
• Trains & Subway

The AONIYOSHI color scheme is mainly purple with gold accents, giving it an atmosphere of ancient nobility. The seating layout is open, but it still feels private. The seats are nicely cushioned and very comfortable, and the interior is full of thoughtful details. From the lighting to the decorations on the luggage racks, the whole train has a retro yet stylish feel.
There’s also a dining car where you can buy limited-edition sweets and Daibutsu Pudding, and this is also where you pick up the commemorative boarding certificate.
Overall, a lot of care clearly went into both the hardware and the service, which made this a fantastic ride. The trip from Nara to Kyoto is only 30 minutes, and it honestly left me wanting more.

Kyo-train GARAKU

The "Kyo-Train Garaku" is a special sightseeing train on the Hankyu Kyoto Line between Osaka-umeda Station and Kyoto-kawaramachi Station, inspired by Kyoto's nature and traditional architecture. The train operates on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and special operated days during the tourist season. The passengers pay only a standard fare.

• Kyoto
• Osaka
• Trains & Subway

Kyo-train GARAKU is probably the most affordable sightseeing train. No reservation or seat booking is needed, and you can travel between Kyoto and Osaka for the price of a regular train.
Each car is themed around Kyoto’s four seasons and representative plants, with features like a dry landscape garden, tatami-style seating, and noren curtains. Every car has a different atmosphere and is overflowing with Kyoto charm, so even choosing where to sit is hard!
In the end, I picked the spring-themed car. Sitting in a two-person window-facing seat, I enjoyed the scenery outside while soaking in the Kyoto travel mood on the way to Umeda.

teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka

A permanent nighttime outdoor museum created by the digital art collective teamLab, transforming the Nagaike Botanical Garden into a fantastical art space after dark. While it serves as a serene botanical garden during the day, at night it comes alive with immersive light and sound installations.

• Osaka
• Museums

Using light and shadow, it connects people with nature. Lights are projected onto the trees along the path, accompanied by music and the sounds of nature, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy world.

What could be waiting for me up ahead?

The glowing eggs scattered through the woods had a slightly mysterious vibe. The colorful spheres ahead swayed gently, and I couldn’t help but reach out and touch them. Following the pink muhly grass to the lakeside, the warm lights reflecting on the water made my heart feel calm as well.

Oarai Isosaki Shrine

This hilltop shrine faces out over Oarai Cape and the Pacific Ocean, revered by those seeking better health and good relationships. Legend has it the shrine was established in 856 when the deities Onamuchi no Mikoto (also known as Okuninushi no Mikoto) and Sukunahikona no Mikoto descended here.

• Ibaraki
• Shrines & Temples

It was raining when I visited, so I wasn’t able to see the sunrise torii view. I’ll have to save that for next time!

Before leaving, I stopped by Oarai Isosaki Shrine to pray. Maybe because it was a rainy weekday morning, there weren’t many visitors, so I was able to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Besides wishing for a smooth trip, it also planted the seed in my heart to come back to Oarai again someday.

Hitachi Station

Hitachi Station on the Joban Line of JR East, facing the Pacific Ocean, is the central station of Hitachi City. The current station building, completed in 2011, is impressive with its beautiful all-glass structure. The design was supervised by Hitachi-born architect Ms.Kazuyo Sejima, winner of "The Pritzker Architecture Prize.", also known as the Nobel Prize in Architecture.

• Ibaraki
• Tourist Attractions

In winter, you can take the first train from Mito to Hitachi Station to catch the sunrise. As soon as I arrived, I saw a huge crowd packed into the front row of the viewing area. I didn’t expect so many people to come watch the sunrise!

After glancing outside and seeing the clouds were pretty thick, I figured I probably wouldn’t get great photos. So I moved outside the station first to take some wide shots of the building. When I went back inside, the crowd had gradually thinned out. Right then, the sun finally broke through the clouds, and I got to see the beautiful view where the sea and sky seemed to blend together.