Tiny trams and kimono forests

We’re headed to see some cheeky monkeys and a kimono forest next but in order to get there we’re heading on an adorable little tram line known as Randen. The Randen tramline was founded in 1910. It’s been running for over 100 years and runs from Shijo Omiya to Arashiyama and Kitano Hakubaicho. The Randen LineContinue reading “Tiny trams and kimono forests”

Glittering glorious temple

Next on our tourist hit list is the shimmering, glittering glory of The Temple of the Golden Pavillion. This beautiful slice of golden glory is known as Kinkaku-ji meaning the “Temple of the Golden Pavilion” but it is officially named Rokuon-ji “Deer Garden Temple” It is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto and is aContinue reading “Glittering glorious temple”

Memoirs of a Geisha bridge

The small Shirakawa canal crosses the geisha district of Gion in Kyoto. Several bridges are built over the canal, the largest of them being Tatsumi Bashi. This tiny bridge has been made a tourist hot spot after featuring in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. It’s an adorable little spot with its orange picket fenceContinue reading “Memoirs of a Geisha bridge”

Temples and angry hornets

Following on from the frantic traditional shopping streets of Gion we’re heading to another evocative part of Kyoto, the tearooms on the canal sides. On route we visit another pretty traditional temple that warns of “bees” DO NOT BE FOOLED – these are not our cute little bumble variety, hell no. These are deadly asianContinue reading “Temples and angry hornets”