Day 7 - Tuesday October 31, 2017 - Kyoto

KRM, Eikan-do, Philosophy, Ginkaku-ji

Posted on Tuesday October 31, 2017

This morning we caught the 204 bus from around the corner to the Kyoto Railway Museum. 

We managed to arrive at 10.00 am, just as the doors were opening – a get-your-own-ticket-from-the-machine approach, which (given there were five machines) seemed to work well and speed up the process. An interesting collection of 50+ trains of varying vintages, including the original model shinkansen, plus a whole variety of other railway-related exhibitions, all very well done. Certainly a change of pace and very worthwhile.

Once we’d had our fill of trains, we re-traced our steps to the bus stop and took the same 204 bus further on, to connect with the Tozai line subway, in order to head east, getting off at Keage station. Out exit one, turn right, after 50 metres turn right through a small tunnel and follow the road as it winds its way past various temples. We’ve done this route before but this time stopped at Eikan-do, to enjoy the garden. The maples are beginning to change colour but in another three or four weeks should be magnificent. Back out and continue up the road before turning right to get to the start of the Path of Philosophy, pausing on the way up to the start of the path to get a matcha ice cream from the kiosk on the left (opposite the vending machines).

Eikan-do

Path of Philosophy

 We walked all the way up the Path, eventually turning right and heading up the hill to Ginkaku-ji, the so-called Silver Pavilion. We hadn’t been here before so decided it was time we did. It’s very much on the ‘tourist trail’ with the road leading up to it lined with souvenir shops, food stalls etc. etc. As you tour the grounds, there’s a designated ‘route’ which makes it easy to figure out where to go and certainly helps to keep the rampant masses in check. The designated route eventually winds up the hill behind the complex, providing an excellent view of the grounds below and out over Kyoto. We stopped in the tea room on the way out and, surprisingly, had the place to ourselves. Although it’s called the Silver Pavilion, it’s not at all silver but is supposedly so named to distinguish it from the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji, which is golden) founded by the grandfather of the founder of Ginkaku-ji. The grandson was not apparently enamoured of such ostentation as his grandfather. Whereas Ginkaku-ji is usually busy, Kinkaku-ji is usually mobbed – see it once the first time you’re in Kyoto and then go elsewhere.

Ginkaku-ji

After tea, we walked back down and on down the main road to catch the # 100 bus back to town (Kyoto Station).  We just missed a bus, which was fine as it effectively got rid of most of the people waiting. Another bus was along soon enough (they run every 10 minutes or so) so we were able to get a seat. It’s a bit of a trek back in to town so the bus gets progressively more and more crowded. Once back at the Station, we walked the short distance back to the apartment, stopping on the way at the supermarket to get some supplies. Dinner at the get-your-ticket-from-the-machine place on the corner.