My apologies ... I didn't take time to write about our adventures once arriving at the Kyoto Station last evening ...
After stopping for a quick take-away savory at a café outside Kyoto Station, we found the taxi stand where others were queued up. Once in the taxi, we showed the driver, who was immaculately dressed in a suit, tie and white gloves, the address we had pre-printed in Japanese with the Hotel Rings address. Though only about a nine minute drive to our hotel, it felt like an adventure ... driving past the Kyoto Tower, Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, and the entrance to the Nishiki Market. Kyoto Tower is the tallest structure in the city standing 430-feet atop of a 9-story hotel and shops. An observation deck soars 328-feet high. |
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple or "Eastern Monastery of the Original Vow," is one of two dominant sub-sects of Shin Buddhism. It was opened in 1602. Much to our surprise, and delight, the Nishiki Market is only 1-1/2 blocks from our hotel!
Moments before reaching our hotel, we pass by a small boutique with a gorgeous coat in the window. Gypsy saw it to and we silently agree to find our way back and try it on.
Moments before reaching our hotel, we pass by a small boutique with a gorgeous coat in the window. Gypsy saw it to and we silently agree to find our way back and try it on.
From the outside the Hotel Rings - Kyoto, our home for the next eight days, looks typical for the old neighborhood where it is located. However, inside it is a small, modern boutique hotel with a café and lounge.
Our room on the 4th floor is spacious, bright and has a electronic Toto toilet very similar to mine at home. One of the first things I miss when traveling, I fall even more deeply in love with Japan! After quickly settling ourselves. We head the 1/2 block away to the clothing store we spotted during our taxi ride. The boutique is called Merph. Gypsy and I each purchased a coat in green. A few days later, Gypsy exchanged hers for a cream-toned one. Being a cold evening ... it was perfect. At home it may be too warm! After dropping our other coats back at the hotel, we walked 1-1/2 blocks in the opposite direction to explore the Nishiki Market and eat dinner. |
Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen," legend says the Nishiki Market has supported the kitchens of Kyoto for 400 years. The market is a narrow, five-block long shopping street that started as a fish wholesale district around 1310. Over time the market changed from a wholesale to a retail one with many of the 100 or so shops and stalls remaining in the same families for generations. |
In early evening, when we walked through the market for the first time, it was lively and crowded. Specializing in all things food related, the aromas made our mouths water. Shops and stalls sell fresh and dried seafood, fruits and vegetables, tea and spices, pickles and Japanese sweets. Some shops offer free samples. There are also shops selling cookware and all kinds of food prep knives.
There are also food stalls selling freshly prepared tempura, sushi and Kobi beef skewers meant to be eaten immediately. These generally specialize in one type of food and have tiny sit-down areas or tall bar tables to stand around, orange couple of stools at a bar. Locals consider it bad manners to eat while walking!
After exploring for a while, Gypsy and I shared an order of huge tempura shrimp, and later we each ordered Kobi beef skewers. The tempura shrimp was the best!!! Before heading back to Hotel Rings, we stopped in at a flower stall where Gypsy purchased a lovely bouquet of lillies and greens with red berries to enliven our room. |