Octie Appetie

03 June 2014

Day 12: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

Previously:
Day 11: Dinner at Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

After explored the beauty of Takayama Old Town, now we are heading further south to another fascinating city named Kyoto. This city is a blend between modernisation mix with old historic sites that lives in harmony. From Takayama, we need to make our way back to Nagoya station then transit to a different Shinkansen to Kyoto station.

Once we arrived at Kyoto station, we were blown away by how many restaurants inside the station itself. We were landed in this one restaurant serving common Japanese food just for a quickie. As we gonna have a long journey ahead discovering the charisma of Kyoto city.

Beef Curry Rice

Pork Donburi

Kyoto Tower

There is of course train that you can catch to go from one point to another covered by JRP. However, it is not as convenient as if you take a bus. You only need to pay 500yen for a day pass and most of the tourist attractions are just located a stone away from the bus stop.

The main bus stop is sited right outside Kyoto station and you can buy the ticket from information centre. Just wait in the correct stand to wherever you want to go and wait the bus from there. Our first stop is Kinkakuji or the Golden Pavilion. The place is really really amazing, shining gold although nothing much else to see in here beside the pavilion, but it is definitely a nice site to visit, is something unique and enticing.

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)

Mango Ice Cream

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

From Kyoto station take bus number 101 or 205

It takes about 40 minutes

Entry fee: 400yen/adult

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 12: Nishiki Market, Kyoto

02 June 2014

Day 11: Dinner at Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

Previously:
Day 11: Shirakawa-Go

This is our last night in Takayama yet we haven't tried their delicacies, Hoba Miso Steak dish in a proper way in a proper restaurant. So we did food hunting, in the middle of Takayama town in searching the would be nice restaurant to complete our wish list. Then we spotted this not so big restaurant in one of small alley. Their menu looks very tempting and the price is pretty reasonable too, even slightly less than standard I guess.

Sukiyaki 2,880yen

Hoba Miso Steak (50gr) 1,480yen

The food was great, it exceeds our expectation. We really had a good beef meal here. Their Sukiyaki was absolutely delicious, the broth was sweet and full of flavour. For my dish the Hoba Miso steak was also sensational, the meat itself was fatty and marbling, just melt-in-your-mouth. Miso paste and beef are definitely married well together. What else can I say, tonight meal were totally yum.. yum... yummmm.

Tenaga Ashinaga

3-58-11 Hommachi, Takayama

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 12: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

23 May 2014

Day 11: Shirakawa-Go

Previously:
Day 10: Dinner at Takayama

Early morning we went to the same bus stop with yesterday, but this time we were heading to Shirakawa-Go. Only about 50 minutes away from Takayama by bus. This town is very unique, unique with their house shape. Only less than 2,000 local people populate in there, very very quite town. A day tour is probably enough, but if you want to indulge deeper with the way people live there and sample their local food cooked by the local people, do stay in one of their minshuku. It would be one of your memorable experiences.

Since Shirakawago became a UNESCO site, the number of tourists visiting this place grew rapidly, therefore it also helps increasing their economy. However, in the down side, there was an outbreak of damage to the area from tourists entering people's homes to see how they lived, taking pictures and other such manners. There is also a fear growing that the change to catering to tourists will harm the charm of the area's simplicity and fundamental Japanese scenery.

Therefore, Please do care of the environment and surroundings when you are visiting anywhere!! Help in protecting and preserving the World Heritage sites, so others still have a chance to see this beautiful scenery. And respect the ancestors and local people who actually build this magnificent place with their own hand and hard work.

Hidagyu Kushiyaki (Beef Skewers)

They smartly use the natural spring water flow from the mountain to keep the bottle of drinks cool. Fridge is not needed around here.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 11: Dinner at Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

22 May 2014

Day 10: Dinner at Takayama

Previously:
Day 10: Gujo Hachiman (Part 2)

I'm not too sure what was the name of the shop, but it always busy around lunch and dinner time. Expecting a very long queue and bit of wait. Luckily, we went there outside the eating hour, nearly 9pm, the restaurant only have a few people dining in there. However, the one dish that I'd been looking forward since yesterday afternoon is sold out, the sliced roast pork with raw yolk on top of rice. That's why we ordered Gyudon and Roast beef noodle soup instead.

Beef skewers 500yen/each

Gyudon 750yen

Roast beef noodle soup (large) 1400yen

Takayama's ramen is a little different from ramen in Kanto region. The noodle here is thinner and more like egg noodle texture. I honestly enjoy more with this type of noodle. Plus those medium rare roast beef on top were absolutely gorgeous. The soup was clear and flavoursome as well.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 11: Shirakawa-Go

20 May 2014

Day 10: Gujo Hachiman (Part 2)

Previously:
Day 10: Gujo Hachiman

Not only the famous fake food factory to visit but still plenty more other things to do here. The town itself is beautiful, but the water way also as pretty to see. Such as: Igawa lane and Yanaka lane.

This town is very peaceful and quite. Very far away from hustling bustling city life. No traffic jam, no huge advertisement board, no big neon light, people living here are very slow pace move, they are really enjoying the true meaning of life. Truly cherish this relaxing moment.