Kyoto Tea Ceremony and Wanderings

Another great day in Kyoto.

We had a few chores to run before the day really got going, one being reserving tickets for our train to Tokyo.  This time we booked seats all the way through, no changing trains, no standing up.  Unfortunately though we could not get seats on the Mt Fuji side of the train.

On the way to the station we discovered a few graveyards hidden away by high fencing.  The headstones are quite close together and they are crammed packed.  There were also lots of small shrines and temples along the way but as we got closer to the railway station, the mother of all Temples appeared.  Mind blown!  Turns out it was the Higashi Honganji Temple, a Buddhist temple.  It is one of the largest wooden buildings in Kyoto and one of the largest in the world.  We stopped in for a brief look with the intention of returning later for a better look.

We had booked a private tea ceremony with Ju-An Tea Ceremonies.  We took a few wrong turns to find it and ended up being a little late but it was no problem for our host, Miki.  We had to remove our shoes upon entering and she showed us into a small room lined with matting and carpet.  There were a few symbols in the alcoves and the tea making implements on the floor.  The photos show it better than I can explain.  Miki welcomed us, it was floor seating but she had a small stool for Sean.  She explained to us the history of tea in Japan, she demonstrated the tea ceremony and then showed us how to make Matcha tea.  The tea ceremony was very structured and everything was done in a very precise and respectful way even right down to wiping the tea canister before and after use.  We didn't know anything about Matcha tea before we started but now we are experts :).   It was surprising to see that the tea was actually frothy and light.  Apparently the tea leaves are ground into a powder and that is how you buy it.  You add hot water (80 degrees, no more) and then whisk until frothy.  For the traditional tea ceremony there is a particular way you put the powder in the bowl, how you whisk it and even which way you drink it (turn the bowl clockwise twice, drink, slurp the remnants and then counter clockwise twice when you are finished).  There are specific tools you use too, a bamboo spoon and a special type of whisk.  It was such a great experience.  It was a small window of serenity in what has been an otherwise hectic holiday.  Once finished and shoes on there was a carp pond just outside.  Plenty of fish and a nice way to end our experience. 

We then headed over to Kyoto Tower and up to the observation deck to take in a spectacular panoramic view of Kyoto.  The Tower is 131 metres high and is the tallest building in Kyoto.  Not too many people up there which was good.  We then headed back down, got a quick bite to eat (not exactly sure what it was, but delicious) and then headed back to the Temple.  Words cannot describe the size of the two buildings we saw.  Even the photos won't do it justice.  Again not too many people so I took the opportunity to go inside the main temple.  Shoes off (they provide plastic bags for you to put them in) and off I went.  Inside the room was huge with a only floor matting, no seats.  At the front were various screens but nothing too ornate.  People were inside praying and sitting among them was quite calming.  I sat there for a little while and then headed back out to Sean.  Shoes on and we were off again.

Walking back to our neighborhood, we got off the main road and meandered through the back alleys.  Hardly anyone was around in some areas.  There were quite a few guest houses, a smattering of tiny restaurants and residential homes.  It was interesting to see that the guest houses and residences were  quite plain but the doorways were filled with plants, symbolic statues and lettering.  The doors to the homes were quite close to the road and they were sliding doors, you literally step out onto the roadway. 

During our wanderings we came across another massive Temple.  Again the size was incredible and again I took my shoes off and wandered inside.  This one had seating and the front was like an altar with lots of black and gold objects.  Just gorgeous.  This time I was the only one inside.  

Shoes back on and we were off again.  This time to do a spot of shopping at Shinkyogoku. It was a big day and my feet are killing me.

Dinner was at a movie theatre, burgers, Japanese style, they tasted incredibly good.

Anyway tomorrow we are off to Tokyo.  We have an additional night there so two full days and two half days and we intend to cram in as much as we can before we go.

Lorraine

PS from Sean, I finally got my  Sigma 18-300 lens for my DSLR, tax free (you supply your passport and they attach the receipt for checking at customs), around a $200 saving form what I would pay in Australia.  Its an awesome lens, it allows me to not have to continually change the lens for long, short and macro shots.

PPS from Sean, I also managed to pick up some Samurai daggers, I was perplexed at first why she was gift wrapping them, doing individual receipts and then placing the receipts into separate envelopes.  Then she explained it is a customs process and she needs to certify they are replicas, it is apparently illegal to export the genuine thing without a license.  I purchased daggers instead of swords as they fit into the luggage, swords would need to be wrapped in secure wrapping for the flight in the checked luggage and honestly there is no guarantee they would arrive.

Photos
2018-04-03 - Kyoto Tea Ceremony and wanderings