Wednesday, December 26, 2018

A second look

Kamakura Station
This website is a second look after I finished all the segments, I thought it is worth a second look where I might miss the first time.



Sunday, December 23, 2018

Shinkyogoku Shopping Street

Bubble Tea Craze
It was a Sunday after church, we walked to Shinkyogoku Shopping Street which connect to Teramachi and at the end Shijo Dori or the main drag or heart of Kyoto.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Culinary Japan

Kyoto style sushi - IZUJU (Gion District)
Welcome to Japan culinary tour by Pokie, all of these images are from her iPhone 7. From Tokyo to Kanazawa then to Kyoto and Osaka, the phone is always ready.




Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Journey in Japan through my iPhone 6S

Takushi-san sums up my Journey in Japan
his wife is Teruko-san
This is a compilation from images that I took using my iPhone 6S through out our Journey in Japan 2018. Not bad at all for taking everyday photography where you do not want to use the BIG GUN (bulky camera)



Sunday, December 16, 2018

I love train

Mount Fuji as seen from Shinkansen (Kyoto to Tokyo)
This is my collection of train pictures, mostly the unusual and the Shinkansen or famously known as the bullet train.

Tokyo - Kanazawa and Kyoto back to Tokyo by Shinkansen.

Gion - In search for a real geisha

Gion District
We went to Gion District to have lunch, Kyoto style sushi (no additional wasabi and soy sauce necessary) since it is early we decided to venture to the area we have not explored before.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Kibune - in search of KOYO MOMIJI

In search of autumn leaves
We went up to Kibune is search of autumn leaves, I think we are two weeks too early, but the town itself is very interesting.



Friday, December 14, 2018

Sagano Romantic Train

Saga Torokko Station
We could not ride this train last year (standing room only) so we came early this year, even then the ticket line was so long, we could get in at noon. The train goes so fast, I wonder what's so romantic about it, if you take pictures at a certain spot, maybe yes, with the autumn leaves.



Thursday, December 13, 2018

Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station (11th floor)
We came back from exploring Toji and Sanjusangendo, by walking from Toji, not too far away as I get used to walking. We went up to the 11th floor to see this view.



Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Dotonburi & Ebisu Bridge

Ebisu Bridge
We walked here from Shinsaibashi Subway station, it is already late afternoon and we were tired and hungry, luckily we found Okonomiyaki and we could sit down for awhile.



Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle
We woke up early since we need to go from Kyoto to Osaka Station to the station that is the closest to the castle. Nevertheless the walk is long to get to the castle. We decided not to get in and just enjoy the castle from outside.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/tokyo/osakajou.html

Arashiyama area

Hozu-gawa
This is the second time we come here, the first being last year. We are going to take Sagano Romantic Train in the middle of the day, the line was long. But, that will be later on on the next website.



Monday, December 10, 2018

Sho-Ren_In

Sho-Ren In
This place is recommended by our friend Russel Wong who knows Kyoto like in the back oh his hands. We got out from the bus too early, thinking the bus was going to the wrong direction, what I did not know was the bus route turn around at some point.



Shirakawa-go



Shirakawa-go
We took the first bus from Kanazawa and leave Shirakawa on the last bus since that's what available. We then took the shuttle bus to the Obsevatory and walked down to the village.



Saturday, December 8, 2018

Omicho Ichiba (Market)

Ichimura-san sells WASABI NORI
We come here twice, one in the afternoon where the market almost closed and the next day we come again in search for the best restaurant for fresh seafood, we found it - HIRAI on the second alleyway of the "main" street of Omicho market.


Friday, December 7, 2018

Higashi Chaya District

The old district
From Kenrokuen Garden, we continue to take LL Bus (Left Loop) bus to come here. A lot of women wearing Kimono as part of the tradition when visiting old district also garden and temple compound.



Kawaramachi Catholic

Kawaramachi Catholic Church, Kyoto
We took the bus to come here, it dropped us right in the front of the church, we were elated that we can find a Catholic church in Japan.


Thursday, December 6, 2018

Kenrokuen Garden

Inside the garden
The day is cloudy, but no rain, maybe last night, I like it if a bit more light is present, but even lighting is perfect for me to take photograph. We spent half a day in the garden before we took the same loop bus to Higashiyama District. In the meantime, enjoy the garden.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Kappabashi

Welcome to the world of plastic
We walked from Asakusa, home of Senso-ji all the way to Ueno station, we need days to really see everything on this street, we only walked on one side of Kappabashi Dori.


Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Hakone - in quest to see Mt.Fuji

Lake Ashi
We come here to see a glimpse of Mount Fuji or Fujisan as the Japanese calls it. We started very early from our "home base" in Nippori, go to Shinjuku (the busiest station in the world) then take Romance Car (somehow the Japanese is obsessed with the word ROMANTIC) to Hakone. Then we take a bus to Lake Ashi and take the Pirate Ship. ZANNEN (too bad) we could not see Fujisan.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Nakamise Street

Kibidango shop
The rain makes us retreat to the cover street, while we are having sushi for lunch. Above image is my favorite shot of the day. Here they sell KIBIDANGO a favorite snack item.

Sunday, December 2, 2018

How to use Google Map

Compass App
Sometimes when I am in the new area and try to find a particular restaurant, I got confused, yes I use Google Map, but in what direction ? Not until I had to search a Ramen restaurant in Shibuya, I have this new trick on how to use the Google Map properly. Well, I hope it helps you.



Toji Temple

Toji Temple from the east entrance
Last year when we took a city bus, we pass by the temple but not in our agenda back then, now that we have sometimes to see this, we make a point to come and check out this Buddhist temple, famous with the five-story wooden pagoda from the eight century.



Saturday, December 1, 2018

Senso-ji Asakusa, Tokyo

Hozomon Gate as seen from the temple
We took a bus from Nippori (our home base), I have to ask a few people as this temple is in the center of the city and barely visible from the street. We entered the compound from the east gate, passing Asakusa Shrine to the main temple, the light rain accompany us throughout the morning on and off.