Day 8 – 20th December 2016
20th December was our second last day in Japan, and the last full day we had in Japan. We did not plan for much, except for a trip to Kokedera (Moss Temple), which was on Bruno’s bucket list. This was a very difficult place to go – both in getting the admission ticket and getting there. To be admitted into Kokedera, one needs to write in an application 3 months prior to the date you wanted to go, and send it together with a return postcard. It was such a complicated process and requiring a Japanese address while at it, that we gave up trying to attempt on our own and asked Hotel Mume to assist. They were such darlings as usual, and had long since helped us sent in application requests, without even asking us for postage cost reimbursements or anything like that.
We woke up a little late for the day because we really did not have enough sleep for almost the entire trip. We ended up almost rushing, almost skipping breakfast, before we decided to settle for a quick brunch at McDonalds’. I ordered their BBQ Pork Burger (you can never have PORK burger here in Singapore) and it was pretty good. Anyway I almost lost my temper with Bruno while deciding for brunch.. lol. He observed that I tend to get really easily irritated when I’m stressed. Which is… pretty accurate.
Anyway we reached Katsura station in time, but we couldn’t figure out really which bus to take from there. We gave up and decided to go for taxi instead. I don’t remember the exact price, but I didn’t really care that much anyway. I’ve got quite a lot of Japanese Yen left anyway, and it wasn’t advisable to be late for Kokedera, definitely not after we went through so much pain to get the visit permit. It was slightly drizzling when we reach – but not very heavy anyway.
We got into Kokedera at 1pm, as per our permit. We were first asked to show our permit, then register and pay the steep admission fees, and then our group was being led into a hall, where we had to sit on the floor in very tight space, watching them perform some rituals and chants. Then, we were given wooden bookmarks, where we would use the brush next to the tables to ink our wishes on one side, and ink our names/country on the other. So interesting. I wrote mine in Mandarin! LOL, just for the sake of writing kanji on the bookmarks. I don’t even remember what I wrote now – but hopefully it’ll come true! After that, we were allowed to roam freely in the garden – no time limit. Or at least until the garden is close for the day, that is.
The moss temple was not exceptionally big, but very meticulously maintained. Good walking trails, coupled that with a very small exclusive group at each timing – it was a very enjoyable walk in the moss garden. It was unfortunate that most of my pictures were overexposed, but nevertheless it was a good, relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Some pictures here, but you can find most of them in the Flickr link below this entry.
We also managed to catch TWO FULL BLOOM sakura trees within the temple grounds! In December, no less! Are we lucky or what? <3
After Kokedera, we took the bus right back to Kyoto station, where we went for KatsuGyu again! This time, we ordered the most expensive set – wagyu! I tell you… after you ate the wagyu, you will never order the regular/cheapest set again. That’s how good katsu-wagyu is… I totally miss this. Would totally fly to Kyoto to eat this again… as well as the Yoshinoya breakfast set!
After the late lunch / early dinner, we went to Kyoto Station to buy some omiyage to bring back to Singapore. We then went up the escalators in the station, and saw that there’s a huge Christmas tree there, with some lighting show going on. We lingered a bit, before proceeding further up to the sky garden. It was such a tranquil view, overlooking the whole of Kyoto.
Reluctantly, we headed back to the hotel to pack as we needed to wake up really early the next day to catch Haruka Express to KIX airport for our flight home.
Day 9 – 21st December 2016
We woke up like… at 4am? Checked out at about 5am, while the Mume staff called a taxi for us to go to Kyoto Station. In the meantime, they passed us their home made bread, specially baked earlier for us to bring along! They even put it in a Moomin paper bag! Awwww… That’s so sweet of them, really. We bought some hot coffee from the vending machines at the train platform, and ate the buns in the train.
And guess what? I finally bought a nice set of 5 pairs of chopsticks… from the airport (in the transit area too). What a waste of time hunting for them in Kyoto… lol.
For more photos on Day 8, please click on my Flickr album link here.
For Japan Trip 2017 itinerary / content page, please click here.
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