Jogyesa: a quick temple visit

November 25, 2015
Day 4

Il-ju-mun (One Pillar Gate)

After strolling along Insadong, we decided to drop by this temple, Jogyesa temple. It's a small temple in the middle of the city. It doesn't have the quiet and solemn feel, but seeing the Main Dharma Hall and all the people inside praying from outside, was interestingly calming. The glow of the three Buddhas from inside was enough to make me feel like a higher being is watching over me - in a way that made me want to say a prayer and give thanks for the things that matter to me the most at the time. It just felt good.

Spring in Japan: Kiyomizu-dera

April 9, 2015
4th day

We woke up as early as possible since it was my mom's last day in Japan. Her trip back to Manila was at night. We went to Kiyomizu-dera since it's just one bus ride away.

The walk going up the temple was a bit tiring and challenging, especially when I had to keep an eye on my mom to make sure I don't lose her in the very crowded gojozaka.

Kiyomizu-dera, being a popular tourist spot, was busy. We had to stop and rest for a while before heading to the temple's main deck. I took this opportunity to take some snaps.

Spring in Japan: Nara

April 7, 2015

2nd day

We woke up late partly because we were tired the previous day and partly because the bed was sooo comfortable.

It was really cold that day, about 3 degrees Celsius if I remember right. So cold that even the guesthouse staff was shivering and saying さむい (samui), meaning 'cold'. We left the guesthouse at around 10am and walked about 10mins to the nearest JR train station. We passed by a park and the Nijo Castle.

I started to shiver and had to put on my gloves while walking. Thankfully, my mom was feeling warm enough. We were going to Kyoto station and transfer trains going to Nara, but I had to buy another layer of clothing or better yet, another jacket coz what I had wasn't enough to keep me warm. We went out of Kyoto station to go to Uniqlo as recommended by the train station staff. I bought a jacket and decided to have lunch at Mcdonald's before heading to Nara.

Kyoto station

Kyoto station's awesome structure

Lunch at Mcdonald's

Afterwards, we went on a day trip to Nara. Nara is the old capital of Japan, even before Kyoto. This is one lovely, quiet town with lots of traditional shops/buildings. When one say Nara, one might automatically think of free wandering deers. Yes, free wandering deers. They're harmless, or atleast they were when we were there. I saw other tourists feeding the deer so I decided to buy deer crackers from one of the stalls along the road. As soon as I stepped away from the stall, I was mobbed by the deers. There was some feeding, some nibbling and a bit screaming. Lol.