Wandering Fel

Showing posts with label Gion. Show all posts

During the planning stage of our Spring Japan Trip, my friend suggested that we visit a place called Philosopher's Path as it is located pretty near to Ginkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto. Both Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji Temple are reachable by taking a city bus from Gion. You just need to go to the main street and look for this bus stop.

Bus stop for city bus at Gion Kyoto Japan

If you are confused, you can look at the building opposite the bus stop as the building is pretty distinct, I have to say. It looks like the Japanese traditional opera house. Hahaha.

Traditional opera house at Gion Kyoto Japan

You will be able to see the sign "City Bus" which is put up at the bus stop. We took bus no. 201 to go to both Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji Temple The journey lasts pretty long around 30 to 40 minutes I think, if there is no traffic.

City Bus from Gion to Ginkakuji Temple Kyoto Japan

Once you are ready to alight, you can press this button so that the bus driver knows when he needs to make a stop. The convenient thing about riding the city bus to popular place like Ginkaku-ji Temple, a lot of other tourists will be alighting at the same stop with you and hence, you don't have to worry about missing your stop.

Right after you have alighted from the bus, you will see this sign and congratulations for alighting at the right stop. Tetsugaku no michi is the Japanese name for Philosopher's Path.

Tetsugaku no michi Philosopher's Path Kyoto Japan

There is this yellow flowers right beside the wood sign but we are pretty sure sakura does not come in yellow...yet. Nothing is impossible nowadays.

Flowers in Philosopher's Path Kyoto Japan

Uhm, this is not what we really expect when we plan about coming to Philosopher's Path. As what I said in my previous posts, we came to Kyoto one week too early from the blossom date of the sakura flowers. Such a pity.

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Philosopher's Path, Kyoto

If you come to Kyoto when the sakura flowers are in full bloom, it is a must to go to Philosopher's Path because the path will look like this. Like a scene from the movie right?

Cherry Blossom Watching at Philosopher's Path Kyoto Japan

Oh well, better luck for us next time. If we ever come back to Kyoto in spring, that is. =P

When we were wandering around the streets of Gion, we stumbled upon a funny statue. A dog running away from the dog which bite his pants. It's quite cute and funny and hence, we were drawn to it.

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Issen Yoshoku, Gion

The statue apparently belongs to a restaurant named Issen Yoshoku which is named after the dish that it sells. Issen Yoshoku (literally translates into "the first Western food") offers a variation of Japanese beloved dish, okonomiyaki.

Ingredient for Issen Yoshoku in Gion Japan

If you are not sure whether to give it a try or not, you can stand by for a few minutes while watching the chef making Issen Yoshoku. You can see that the okonomiyaki (which kinda looks like Japanese filled omelette) is filled with various ingredients. They look pretty nice from where I was standing, really. Issen Yoshoku is doing pretty good on its marketing department by putting the kitchen in front of the restaurant. LOL.

Making Issen Yoshoku in Gion Kyoto Japan

The doll in the Japanese kimono looks pretty creepy but she welcomes you the Issen Yoshoku so let's just enter and give it a try, shall we.

Welcome to Issen Yoshoku at Gion Kyoto Japan

Okay, turns out there is one doll allocated to each table to ensure that there is no diner eating alone at Issen Yoshoku. I don't know about you but I find this arrangement somewhat interesting and yet, creepy at the same time. Other than the lady doll in kimono, Issen Yoshoku has other interesting decoration too.

Dining with a doll at Issen Yoshoku Gion Kyoto Japan

It seems that the wall is filled with wise sayings but they are all in Japanese characters and hence, I can't really read them. It's pretty amusing to look at the drawing though.

Wall decorations at Issen Yoshoku Gion Japan

Oh right, once you enter and get your table, you just need to tell the waiter/ waitress how many of Issen Yoshoku you'd like to order. Anyway, there is nothing else to order in this restaurant. One Issen Yoshoku costs 630 Japanese Yen which is a good deal considering you are eating in Gion area. Here comes our order.

Issen Yoshoku Japanese Okonomiyaki Gion Kyoto Japan

We deconstructed the Issen Yoshoku and we were pretty amazed looking at various ingredients they put inside the okonomiyaki from chopped scallions, egg, corns, konyaku, and thinly sliced pork. The sauce is leaning on the sweet side just like the sauce that the Japanese use for takoyaki.

Inside Issen Yoshoku at Gion Kyoto Japan

A take out is also available at Issen Yoshoku. Do give it a try when you are visiting Gion. The restaurant is located at the street main street of Gion.