momiji

It's the best time of the fall, the momiji season, when the leaves turn into all these amazing colors, from what almost looks like neon yellow, to crimson red - the other day I even saw purple leaves! So I thought it'd be a good time to finally go and see Kinkaku-ji (actually Rokuon-ji, but it's better known by the name Kinkaku-ji, I think), and see what all the fuss is about. Sadly, the weather wasn't in my favor this time; it was pretty cloudy the whole weekend, so I've spent half a day saturating the fuck out of these pictures. I do hope you enjoy them!

But first, a couple of pictures I took when I took a stroll down at the riverbank.

These things that look like eagles but act like pigeons.

How romantic.

Well, so on Saturday, I biked all the way up to the northern part of the town, where Kinkaku-ji is located, and I'm so glad I chose the bike over the train, since the way up there was so pretty! I made my way through these quiet neighborhoods filled with narrow, winding streets. So picturesque. I think I took more photos on the way there and back than at the actual attraction. Here's a couple.

Now, I think it might've been better just to spend the day exploring the quiet neighborhood, since at the arrival to Kinkaku-ji, I was once again reminded how I hate tourists. And yes, I am aware that I'm also a tourist, and that everybody else is probably just as annoyed, but gosh. To some people there, I would've liked to quote my favorite movie Pitch Perfect, where one of the character says these words of wisdom: "Please take your head out of your ass, it's not a hat!" I mean, I don't know how it's possible, when you're there with a kazillion of other tourists, to have this delusion that you're the only person in the world. Because that's how so many people were acting. I don't know, I guess it has something to do with the fact that you're on a holiday in a different country, which makes you think that you're not really that much responsible for any harm that you may cause to others, since, after all, you don't really understand the culture and the customs. Which is a load of bullshit. When in Rome, right?

Like kids at a zoo.

Kinkaku-ji

"What's that smell?"

So that was an exhausting experience, and the temple wasn't that special, really. I mean, yeah, it was a golden temple so of course it's pretty, but I think I've been spoiled since I live in Kyoto where there are temples and shrines at every corner, so they don't really look that amazing anymore. And since I was so busy hating people, I didn't even have time to properly appreciate the sight itself.

Afterwards, I went to a kaiten sushi restaurant. These are probably my favorite places, since you get a selection of different types of sushi that go past your table, and get to pick any of them that look delicious or interesting enough. Although I don't think these places are ideal for experimenting with new foods, as they serve cheap, raw fish. And that can possibly be dangerous. However, I couldn't resist trying out this yuzu-flavored whatever it is. 5/5, never again.

District 9 sushi

At my way home, I had to stop at the Imperial Gardens to take a photo of these momiji enthusiasts. I love it how the Japanese get so excited about everything.

Guys, it's just a tree...

this weekend in pictures

And for those who can't be arsed to read my thoughts on Japanese and Finnish nutrition, here are some pictures of what I've been up to this week! Got a free ticket for an ikebana exhibition; and for those who are not familiar with the concept, ikebana's the Japanese art of flower arrangement - and they surely know how to arrange their flowers!

This weekend we also did a day trip to an onsen nearby. At least I thought it was nearby, just a half-an-hour train journey away - usually the onsen resorts are a bit farther away from the city, up in the mountains, since that's where the hot springs always are. I think the one we went to, Kurama Onsen, is the nearest one to Kyoto. There's another one in Arashiyama that I know, but I'm pretty sure it would take about an hour to get there. The train from Kyoto took us straight to Kurama Station, and the resort itself was only a short walk away from the station.

Found it!

Photography was obviously not allowed inside the place, since people get naked in there. Although when we arrived the place was empty for a moment, so had I been just slightly faster, I might've been able to get a quick shot of the bathing place, which was like something out of a dream. But just try to imagine a rainy day like this, and then an outdoor hot water pool with a breathtaking view to the steep mountains.

Standing in the doorway of the onsen.

Happiness is onsen, good food, and friends!

fall activities

So another week has flown by without a single blog post, which has resulted in way too many Facebook updates. Gotta share the experiences somehow, right? Otherwise it would be just me experiencing things, where would the fun in that be, huh? No, but seriously, it's not just the fact that I'm as much of a slave to the social media as everybody else, but when you're used to living with somebody who's always there to share your most mundane experiences, it gets really frustrating when you come across fun stuff but then have nobody around to share it with and laugh at it together... Thus, Facebook spam. Forgive me.

Anyway, this week I've kept myself pretty busy, not just with school but exploring Kyoto a bit further! So I wanted to post some pictures, since the places I went to were nothing short of amazing. I've probably mentioned before that I live right next to the Imperial Palace and frequently go on morning jogs around the park/garden that surrounds it. Well, from Thursday last week until Tuesday this week, the palace itself was open to the public.

Welcome! (This isn't the main entrance, really. If it was, the view would be blocked by masses of people.)

Apparently, as a foreigner, you also have the possibility to book yourself a private tour around the palace grounds, but there's no such option for the Japanese, so these public openings are arranged a couple times per year. And the lazy motherfuckers that we are, who just can't be arsed to book a private tour, we joined the masses of Japanese people on Tuesday, which also happened to be Culture Day here. What that means is, if you're not a uni student, you get a day off! And if you're a uni student, fuck you, you go to classes. Luckily I only have classes until 12 on Tuesdays, so there was still plenty of time to explore the palace grounds!

Here you can get a glimpse of what it was actually like: packed with tourists. Luckily they had many blocked areas, such as the entire garden, so that I was able to get a few good shots!

On Wednesday - another short school day - I finally climbed Higashiyama, aka Daimonyama! It was definitely not a walk in the park. I mean, I thought I was in fairly good shape, but I was out of breath after the first 5 minutes! And it gets really hard on your knees, especially on the way down. But I made it, although I have to admit that that was about as long a hike as I was comfortable doing, for now anyways. I was seriously a lot more exhausted than I usually am after my average run. Then there were these elderly Japanese men who were just leisurely jogging up the mountain and back down again... Madness. However, I strongly recommend everybody to climb a mountain, at your own pace - it's good exercise, and the views you get are just breathtaking.

"I'm on the edge, the edge, the edge, the edge..."

I can almost imagine I'm at the bottom of an ocean.

To add up to the challenge: These were the "stairs" we were using.

What do you do when you have a view like this in front of you? Well, why not check Facebook!

Descending from the heavens.

So that was an experience I wouldn't mind having again. Luckily we're surrounded by mountains here, so all you have to do is pick one, put some sneakers on and get going.

Back in town - the scenery down here isn't too bad, either!

After such a busy week, though, I'm pretty content with just spending a lazy weekend at home, doing some chores and homework, go for a walk, maybe, and for the rest of the time... THIS:

Finally gave in to the compelling urge to buy one of these extremely detailed coloring books. In my adult years, I've actually had a couple of children's ones (including a Star Wars one, of course), but I've been wanting to buy one of these adults' ones as well ever since they became a thing. The other day, when I was coloring a small picture on a handout in class, I realized that I do not only want this, I need this! So I went ahead and bought it, although they're not cheap. Whereas you can get a children's coloring book for a couple of euros, one of these can cost you more than 10 euros. But it's so worth it, though! The most relaxing time you've ever had.