ungkler: Autumn Fever

Japan
Autumn 2014

Confetti shower for the Birthday Girl in Fujikawaguchiko
(Nov-2014)

Journal Entry... There's a kind of craze for Japan, and all things Japanese, as of late. Why not jump on the bandwagon? Traveling to Japan was tempting really. It's merely four hours by plane, from Manila. Around November is autumn's peak-- one of two memorable seasons in Japan. And my birthday falls in November... Dang! My Japan travel turned out to be one unforgettable trip to remember. I'd surely put the Japan travel on repeat, if I must, given a 5-year Japan Visa stamp on my passport, and it'll always be just a short flight away.

6-nov: Arrived Tokyo... Hubby and I made our way to Shinjuku, from the airport, via Narita Express. I was a sleepyhead following the hubby, having left Manila too early in the day. Check-in: #CenturySouthernTower, in Shinjuku-Shibuya area.

A lone Swan afloat in the moat at Kokyo (Imperial Palace)

Suica Pass... Lost in translation... Getting there... Play on repeat... best describes a first-timer's first day around Tokyo figuring out the Metro route to city landmarks.

Link to YouTube>>> Ungkler Travels | JAPAN feat. Japanese Autumn (Trailer 1)

8-nov: Day trip to Fujikawaguchiko... Rise and shine, Birthday Girl! Hubby had arranged a Mt. Fuji tour for the both of us, that meant joining in a group tour.

Photo with Michiko
in Fujikawaguchiko

Michiko, the ever cheerful Japanese tour guide, kept pointing out that the group is very lucky that day. Weather in Tokyo did have a sudden turnaround to being sunny, from rainy and overcast the last two days. Michiko sounded like a broken record, "You all.. very lucky... today, sunny... sky clear... not much cloud... Unbelievable! You all... very, very lucky!" as Michiko walked the aisle the bus aisle counting heads. At a stopover area, I could not help myself telling Michiko, "You know why we are lucky for today's weather?" Curious Michiko asked why. I replied to her, "Because it's my birthday!" Michiko smiled. "Don't tell [the group]... it's a secret," I said. Michiko promised not to tell, "Yes, yes... It's a secret! Happy Birthday!"

Autumn scene around the lake in Kawaguchiko

Two Peas in Kawaguchiko

Autumn scene in Kawaguchiko was like a shower of celebratory confetti to my birthday, it had me smiling the whole day trip. And I can't thank Mt. Fuji enough for showing up on my birthday-- a snowcapped cone top peeking out from the clouds glowing in sunshine.

Hubby had to tell Michiko about a Philippine volcano - Mt. Mayon, saying that Mt. Mayon can give Mt. Fuji a run for the money for Mt. Mayon's perfect cone; hubby showed Michiko a photo of Mt. Mayon, in his iPhone. But, Michiko wittily replied, "But does your Mt. Mayon have snow on its peak, like our Mt. Fuji?" Hmmm... Michiko had a point there. So, what rhymes with Kawaguchiko? It's-- Michiko!

Mt. Fuji in the background of the Kabuto-zukuri (roof-like samurai warrior helmet) at Kawaguchiko

11-nov: Shinkansen Tokyo-Kyoto...

Arrived in Kyoto

The Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) was waiting to bring us to Kyoto, from Tokyo. It is said that Japan's bullet trains are known for punctuality down to the very last second. I'd say, "They no lie!" Speed is the name of the game for the Shinkansen. Hubby and I arrived in Kyoto right on schedule.

Link to YouTube>>> Ungkler Travels | JAPAN feat. Japanese Autumn (Trailer 2)

Autumn in Kyoto

Check-in: #HotelSunline. Hotel room had a view of the Geisha district. First night in Kyoto, there was a full moon. I got the case of love at first sight at Kyoto instantly that very night. When in Kyoto, participating females rented the Geiko attire - for ladies. Were it not for the nippy autumn weather though, I would have gladly entertained the idea of dressing up in a Geiko attire. Meanwhile, Japanese lanterns lighted the way to the temples, and Machiya - traditional houses. Kyoto scene perfectly fitted out to a period film. Time seemed to stand still in that historic city. Those involved in the last world war never dared themselves to mess up with Kyoto, for which every Kyoto landmark had remained as captivating as they were ever since.

A shining Phoenix and gold foil on lacquers adorn the Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavillion)

Two Peas in Kyoto

Day 1. Hubby and I hopped on the Raku bus, where I said to him, "Let's be done with the farthest, and most precious one covered in gold."
First stop: Kinkakuji...

"Kinkaku (The Golden Pavilion) is a shariden, a Buddhist hall containing the relics of Buddha. The pavilion is part of a temple that is formally named Rokuon-ji Temple, but commonly called Kinkakuji, or the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion". Gold foil on lacquer covers the upper two levels of Kinkaku, and a shining phoenix stands on top of the shingled roof." (Excerpts, Kinkakuji Pamphlet)
After lunch at Mos Burger, hubby and I rushed over to hear the nightingale sounds in Nijo Castle; it was a relief we made it to the castle's last call at 4PM. Inside Nijo castle, hubby and I went on barefoot observing the Japanese custom of removing shoes when entering a home, in this case a castle. Tip: When in Japan, wearing socks do come in handy most of the time. And then... the wood flooring began chirping... sweet nightingale sounds... as I walked through it. Amazing feature... Hearing those mock bird sounds was fascinating to the ears.

Hear the "Nightingale floors" sing a sweet tune at Nijojo (Nijo Castle)

Real objective behind those squeaking wood flooring in Nijo Castle is to warn the Shogun, who lived in the castle, of intruders. At a far end of the castle grounds was a lookout point, best for photo-op.
Day 2. Off we went visiting another Kyoto temple. Second stop: Ginkakuji... Not to be confused with Kinkakuji-- remember, "K" for the golden temple, and "G" for the silver temple.

A heaven-like atmosphere at Ginkakuji (The Silver Pavillion) in autumn

Some enchanting Ginsyadan representing waves and white sand and Mt. Fuji-shaped Kogetsudai immediately caught my attention upon entering the temple grounds. That Ginkakuji autumn scene had left me... speechless. If there's a season that truly captivates the soul, it is autumn. For me, true season of love is autumn.
Exiting Ginkakuji, one is led down to the Philosopher's Path, which would have been filled with cherry blossoms in spring, than fiery autumn leaves. Philosopher's Path is 2-km on foot, one-way.

A 2-kilometer walk down the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto

Somewhere off Higashiyama was yet another temple. There are so many temples around the historic city of Kyoto to count. I made a list of the top three temples... Third stop: Kiyomizudera...
Kiyomizudera is a Buddhist temple of the Goddess of Mercy. From a vantage point, the temple looked like it was a nest perched atop a tree; see for yourself from the temple view deck, best for photo-op.

Like a nest atop a tree - Kiyomizudera, the Buddhist temple of the God of Mercy

13-nov: Day trip to Arashiyama...

Two Peas in Arashiyama

Forty five minutes on the train from Kyoto, hubby and I went nature tripping to the Bamboo Grove, in Arashiyama. I had wanted to rent a bike, but hubby questioned if I knew how; the Japanese man renting out the bike had me ride it to prove if I knew how, and seeing me swaying the bike around, had grabbed the bike back and shook his head saying "No, you can't!", lol. Good thing, I did not rent the bike... Every day tripper shared our agenda for that day-- to go to Arashiyama. I was literally shocked by the "sea of people" walking the bamboo grove path, there was no room for bike riding. I could not even take one decent photo, without some random face photobombing my selfies. And then there were these invisible insects flying around the forest... biting my face it was itching.

Bamboo grove path in the middle of the forest in Arashiyama

Okochi Sanso balcony overlooking a landscape of pine-cheery-maple trees

Paid the entrance fee to Okochi Sanso, a private villa nearby. Green tea ceremony came with that entrance fee. Okochi Sanso is the private villa in the namesake of the silent-film era actor. His villa had a sweeping panorama of the town of Arashiyama on one side, and Mount Ogura on the other side. Known for his deep admiration for Zen philosophy, Okochi Sanso villa held true to his vision.

Link to YouTube>>> Ungkler Travels | JAPAN feat. Autumn Fever

14-nov: Train to Osaka...

Arrived in Osaka

A regular commuter train took us to Osaka, from Kyoto. Check-in #HotelNikko. Hubby and I were early for the 3PM check-in time, so we left our luggage with Concierge momentarily. Locating the underground link to the hotel, from Osaka station, was confusing such that we missed that hotel link by a block (when we came up to street level.) Thankfully, a helpful Japanese guy walked us to the hotel unmindful the hotel direction was out of his way.
Hotel was right across the street from Dotonbori and Namba, which is Osaka's version to NYC's Times Square. Only, steer clear of the areas on Sundays... when it gets filled up to the brink by that similar "sea of people"; to see is to believe, I'd say. It was quite early in the afternoon to be already hanging out in Dotonbori on our Osaka arrival. Besides, hubby had his appointment in the Apple Store* at 15:30H. (Two sets of then hot commodity - *iPhone6Plus was waiting to be picked up from the Apple Store, in Osaka; hubby could not get hold of it from the Apple Store, in Tokyo. Apple store staff, in Tokyo, helped hubby how to reserve for it, online. The morning we were leaving Kyoto, hubby had successfully reserved two iPhones, online, for pickup at a designated time from the Apple Store, in Osaka, or else, the reservation is forfeited. So, forget about hotel check-in... forget about lunch... 'cause apple-picking was priority agenda in Osaka*wink;)

Osakaju (Osaka Castle) with a view of Osaka city

Two Peas in Osaka

That night in Dotonbori, hubby pointed up to the neon sign of "Running Man" of yesteryear; photo-op. Dotonbori exuded the night-life-and-food-trip-until-you-drop kind of vibe. Food trip: okonomiyaki, takoyaki, sushi, sukiyaki, tempura... from the rows of restaurants and street stalls in the area. Osaka atmosphere made the hubby happy. Next day, hubby and I went to Osaka Castle. Those two elevators of the castle were always full, we had to climb the stairs to each and every floor. On every floor was a museum about the history of the case, where hubby and I took a breather... until we reached the topmost floor. Whew! and what a view, as they say, it's always better at the top! A visit to the oldest shrine - Sumiyoshi Taisha was last item to be ticked off from the list of places to be seen while in Osaka, and before flying home; check.

16-nov: Flight to Manila... and hubby's already planning for his next trip to Japan... ver soon.

oOo
PHOTOSTITCH

#Japan #Tokyo #autumn2014