Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 8: All about SNACKS!

Final post for this mini travel series will be dedicated to some notable snacks that I've purchased during this trip. I confess I'm a bit crazy about convenience stores in Japan (e.g. Family Mart, Lawsons...)- I would walk into almost every store I pass by, partly because it is so warm and nice inside but mostly because I'm always fascinated with the variety of products and snacks available!

1) Pocky

Pocky is a flavour-coated biscuit stick which is a really popular snack. I love the variety of Pocky flavours available- and the new, seasonal flavours are always a surprise (in terms of quirky flavours) and so yummy.

When in Japan, get their specialty matcha flavoured snacks! The Uji Matcha Pocky I bought are matcha flavoured biscuit sticks covered in chocolate and almond toppings. An irresistible treat for matcha and chocolate lovers.

Pocky Midi is the fatter, stubbier brother- it usually comes in shorter biscuit pieces with much thicker flavour coating- the winter strawberry special edition I got perfectly captured the sweet tartness of strawberry that goes so well with the chocolate biscuit.

Pocky is available in most convenience stores and pharmacies.

2) Collon

Yet another matcha flavoured confectionery! Collon is a biscuit snack with a cream core- a matcha flavoured one is more commonly found in Japan than elsewhere. Can be easily found in convenience stores.

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 5: Day 4

Day 4: Exploring North Western Kyoto
AM: Arashiyama (Tenryu-ji -> Bamboo Forest -> Okochi-Sanso Villa)
PM: Kinkakuji Temple
Evening: Wander around Shijio-dori, Gion
(Used Day 2 of Kyoto Itinerary as suggested by insidekyoto.com as a guide)

AM: Purchased a Kyoto City 1 Day Bus Pass (500yen) in anticipation of the traveling to be done today. Took a bus to Arashiyama and close to my first stop- Tenryu-ji Temple.

It is a famous Zen temple, but perhaps the main attraction is the main 14th century Zen garden with its central pond surrounded by trees and mountains that has survived in its original form.

Walk up to the north gate of the temple and you will reach Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. There is a really enchanting atmosphere about this place- something about how the bamboo stalks engulfs the walking path and grow seemingly upwards to the sky.

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 4: Day 3

Day 3: (Kyoto Temple Hopping Day!- and a really long blogpost)

AM: (Higashiyama District) Kiyomizudera Temple -> Sannen-zaka & Ninen-zaka -> Maruyama Park -> Chion-In Temple
PM: Nishiki Market
PM- late Evening:  Fushimi-Inari
(Based on 1 day Kyoto Itinerary as suggested by insidekyoto.com, I tried to follow it as closely as possible)

Temple visiting is not a cheap affair- it costs 500-600 yen to enter the temple grounds- but the sights you get to enjoy are usually worth it.

AM: Made my way to Kiyomizudera Temple early in the morning (8.30am) to avoid the crowds. I took a bus and alighted at the nearest bus stop. Each bus trip costs 230 yen but if you're taking more bus trips do consider getting a bus day pass for unlimited bus rides for only 500 yen.

 

The pagoda at the temple entrance.

  

The main hall of Kiyomizudera Temple. It's well known for its wooden structure built on a hill and its wooden verandah/stage that juts out over the hillside. The explosion of autumn leaves also makes this a really scenic place! It was raining really heavily when I was there, but the heavy rain did not "dampen" the beauty of the place!

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 3: Day 2

Day 2: (Osaka/Kyoto)
AM- Kuromon Market (again for second helpings of sashimi and donburi!) PM- Dotonburi (For more takoyaki, okonomiyaki at Creo-ru!)
Evening- Travel to Kyoto: Visit Kodaji Temple (Night illumination), Eats: Omen Udon and Mitarashi Dango

The day started with a second helping of breakfast at Kuromon Market (see my previous post here)
This time I walked over to this store for more donburi! It's at the further end of the market and the stall next door serves Kobe Beef.

Maguroya Kurogin (hope i got the English name right!)- they also sell fresh cuts of sashimi here.

Tuna Don- First time eating a dish where fresh sashimi cuts totally covers the rice!

For a 1000 yen, I got a really generous serving of really fresh thick tuna slices served with seaweed and rice. Really fresh and delicious. The staff will also advise you the proper way of consuming this dish by mixing in an appropriate amount of soya sauce. They also have other more expensive options serving different types of sashimi cuts too. Seating is limited- there is a mini booth with about 3-4 seats, where you can watch someone cutting slabs of fresh tuna while you eat.