高台寺とねねの道
Recently we took in the area of Kyoto that stretches from
Kiyomizu Temple to the southern end of
Philosopher's Walk.
This
route is in the hills of eastern part of the city and can be easily strolled in a day.
Descending the sloped streets Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, you come to
Nene no Michi.
It is a beautifully preserved street with shops and narrow alleys nearby.
Also nearby is
Kodaiji Temple, which is above Nene no Michi.
Kodaiji was built in 1605 at the behest of Nene, for whom the street was later named. She was married to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and is buried at the temple.
The temple has a fantastic view Kyoto below in the distance. It is just south of Yasaka Shrine, which is in the heart of Gion.
Just next to it and to the south is a large Buddha (pictured above).
Access to Nene no Michi & Kodaiji TempleA 10-minute walk from the Higashiyama bus stop. Bus #206.
Kodaiji Temple
Shimogawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku,
Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Tel: 075-561-9966
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本物の舞子と違う
One of the pleasures of visiting
Kyoto is the opportunity to see a real live
geisha.
Tourists stalk them in the alleys of
Gion and
Pontocho.
Another bit of sport is spotting the (Japanese) tourists who hire a "geisha" agency to transform them for a day into a geisha.
Essentially, what you do is pay the company - there are several in Kyoto, stocked with kimono, wigs, and makeup - to dress and make you up. A photographer is extra.
Then you tramp around the city's sites having photos taken of you and being stared at.
Though hardly an expert of the clothing and accessories that a real geisha will wear, I still can pick out these faux geisha easily.
1. They wander, during the day, the city in groups of 2 or 3.
2. There is usually a photographer in tow.
3. The women are struggling with their geta (raised shoes).
4. These "geisha" will steal a glance to see if people are looking at them.
The woman pictured above had been riding a rickshaw along
Nene no Michi with her photographer. They stopped at the end of the street for a photo.
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