My third day in Kyoto was a Sunday. After breakfast I went to the nearby Kamo River. I like to watch people and on Sunday morning many visit - some walking along the riverbank paths while others sitting down watching the water and the fauna. I spotted some grey herons and small white ones, ducks, crows and even large brown carp fish. The day was sunny and very warm, almost like summer. I enjoyed resting by the river, looking around and taking photos.
When my friend arrived from Osaka we headed off to Higashiyama and visited Ryozen Kannon, a memorial for the missing and the dead of the WW2. Unlike other places of interest of Kyoto, this place was empty, quiet and very peaceful. Complementing the silence was a large figure of a seated Kannon, its image reflecting in the water of the pool at its base. There was also golden ball that made wishes come true if one walked three times around it. We did that.
We then went to Matsubara Dori but arriving at this street we discovered that we were not alone - there were quite aa few people. Matsubara Dori is lined with souvenir shops but I still wondered why it was so crowded? Souvenirs are available almost anywhere in Kyoto. Maybe, because of its aged look? Many other places also have an aged look to them. When I asked my friend, they replied that we weren't the only people who wanted to see Kyoto....
Next up was Kiyomizu-dera temple, an incredibly grand building with a unique wooden structure. From its upper deck, a wonderful view to Kyoto opens up. Still, I think I would've enjoyed the place more if it hadn't been so warm and crowded.
After visiting Kiyomizu-dera my friend and I returned to Hanamikoji where we had to say ‘bye-bye’ and part ways. I went to watch the Miyako Odori, a show that I had been waiting to see for a long time. I didn’t enjoy very short tea ceremony performed by two maiko before few dozens of guests but the show itself was very impressive! It’s far better to watch the show than to read about it. I highly recommend taking in a Miyako Odori show, it really is worth it.
After the show I was still under the spell of the performance and so didn't really want to see anything else so I just walked along Hanamikoji and then Gion Shijo Street with it lit shop windows, getting lost in my thoughts.... Kyoto is truly beautiful and I can understand the fascination and admiration people have for it.
