G Photography Tips

I know I've been badddddddd. It's been forever since I've updated my blog. :P

Lets get to the business, shall we? :)

From Miyajima Castle, I've arrived in Kyoto in the afternoon. Kyoto station is hugeeeeee. It also connects with a big department store. The station itself is worth walking around if you have time.



I went out to check in to my hotel first to unload all my luggages. This time I stayed in Apa Horikawadori Kyoto (Check Apa Hotel Kyoto from https://b2b.hotelclub.net) for A$73.63 a night. It's very close to station, only 5-7 minutes walk. The hotel also have Sauna and Onsen at the top level for you to use for free. The room is tiny but very clean, no complains there considering the cost. :)



After checking in, I left the hotel in a hurry as I didn't have much time left to travel. I rushed back to the Station for information centre for maps and recommendation. I knew that I've arrived quite late and there're not many places that opened til 6 pm except for one... the famous "Kiyomizu-dera Temple". That's might be the only place I be able to manage to go for such a limited time. I asked for direction from the information centre. The best way to get there is by Bus. The fare one way is 220 Yen and if you travel more than 2 times, I would recommend you to buy a day ticket 500 Yen with unlimited ride. The bus day ticket can be purchased from the information centre.

The bus stopped at the bottom of the hill. You have to walk up the hill yourself. And trust me, don't run up... Along the way I saw this man-powered vehicle, it looks very interesting but I didn't have time to find out about it.



I made my way up there to the entrance and start the first thing you'll notice is the big red gate. But I thought to myself.... "hmmm not a big deal, what's so special about this temple?"






I was rushing further up to this over thousand year old temple without really enjoying much of it which is very bad. But I slowed down and enjoy more when I reached up the top of the main building... No matter how rush you are, when you see the view from the top, it'll stop you!





The 2 main buildings were surrounded by very lush greenery. And since they're both up very high, it just like like they're floating in the air. I took a lot of pictures there and stopped to enjoy the view for awhile. It's really worth it. :)



Coming down as before I went out the gate, I've noticed this little shrine where people drinks the water that came down from the roof.



"Looks authentic, lets do it" I thought. So, I joined the line and grab this cup with longgggg handle and got the water and drank it. Oh wowwwww, much better taste than the water in the bottle. I highly recommend for you to try. :)



Japanese believe that drinking this holy water to cleansing yourself and give you good luck, so drink up people. Oh and they have the "Ultra violet machine" to clean these cups, so don't have to worry much about hygien. :)

I went out the temple and headed to Ginza area for my dinner... which will be continued later. :)