Tokyo -a trip in photos

Tsukiji Temple

You know you are at Tsukiji when you see a giant fish head eating its own tail

 Pieces number 2 and 6 weren't exactly what we thought we were getting...Turns out the land-dwelling mammal, the horse is also a common Tsukiji fish market sushi option and is considered a type of sea-dwelling fish....

Asakasa Temple

Kids playing in the park during a massive dance festival

 Festival dancers

View of southern Tokyo from our hotel

Tokyo subway map

Hiking West of Arashiyama

On a recent trip west of Arashiyama, we ended up on an unintentional day hike. From what we read online, if you got off the train west of Arashiyama, you could walk back along the river on a nice, quiet walk. What the websites don't tell you, is that this "nice walk" is actually a 5-6 mile hike. Thankfully the trail is also a road, so it's well paved and does not require any extra gear.

To get to to the "trail head" take the Tozai line train west, past Arashiyama out to the hozukyo train station. Leave the train and take the stairs underneath the tracks, exit the "train station" (I won't ruin for you why that's in quotes). Walk through the parking lot to the road, and you will have hit the trail. To follow the path we took, turn right and start walking. Stay on the main road and you will not get lost.

If you are looking for a great lunch spot to picnic, turn left instead of right, walk about 40 feet and you will see a little paved path leading down. One of the rafting groups uses this as their place to exit the river, so it usually has a couple people hanging out and swimming in the river.

Towards the end of the hike, you will end up in the outskirts of Arashiyama. The small town has an antique shop with lots of cool little items, a sakery with great sake, and lots of cool traditional style houses/roofs.

here are a few photos of the hike:

Towards the end of the hike, you will come across a small town. There are several popular temples around the town, as well as some cool art and historical things to see.

Kiomizu-dera: A view from the stage

On a whim, a few weekends back, Kev and I went to Kiomizu-dera. This large and well-known temple is usually packed with tour groups, and the day we went was no exception. We unfortunately went on a rainy day, and had to dodge in and out of the little shops lining the street that leads to Kiomizu-dera. This meant that by the time we actually got to Kiomizu-dera it was almost closing time, but we decided to give it a shot anyway.

Although we have not seen any other temples built in the same fashion as Kiomizu, the "stage" style was apparently really popular during the Edo period. The benefit to the "stage" style is that there is ample room for the many pilgrims (and now mainly tourists) who visit.

Crowds making their way through the rain to the temple

Bells outside of the main hall's entrance

Prayers and wishes 

Buckets full of the day's rain.