Japan 2019: Kyoto - Gion (Part 3)
I had initially wanted to combine this with the previous Kyoto post but I think this is worth a post.
To Gion we go!
Picture courtesy of Japan-Guide.com
Day 4 (23 Sept)
It's true, we were in Kyoto for two consecutive days. Initially, I suggested to my friends that we should visit Kobe or Horishima, since we can as the JR Pass also cover these areas.
But somewhere along the way, we decided to revisit Kyoto because my travel companion really wanted to visit the world's first and only tatami mat Starbucks in Gion, Kyoto (read more about it HERE). Secondly, how could you not visit Gion while in Kyoto?
So, of we went.
We took the Keihan line and got down at the Gion-Shijo station. There's a tourist welcome centre at the station and the staff speaks good English. Ask away anything and everything that you need to know about the places to visit nearby. Do pick up the English version map available (it's going to be your bestfriend there).
The said Starbucks is located at Ninenzaka street. From the station, all you need to do is just find your way to Yasaka shrine and you will find the Starbucks (it's basically right across the shrine). But if you need more details, the street is in Higashiyama district. It's a tourist attraction spot, near to many of Kyoto's historical hotspot, which includes the uber famous Kiyomizudera temple.
Our journey to Ninenzaka street was not easy, at least for me. Somewhere along the way, my shoes broke... As in my shoes crumbled and were destroyed. This was my fault because I haven't worn that shoes for years and it basically corroded.
So, I had to get a replacement A.S.A.P. In which, the nearest shoe shop was a traditional Japanese garment / kimono shop. I got myself the cheapest footwear they had there, which was a wooden geta (下駄) . It was the cheapest thing in the shop but the most expensive thing I got throughout my whole trip (don't ask how much, I might just cry).
Nevertheless, we made it to the tatami mat Starbucks. In all honesty, I think it was worth the trip. We managed to get some good seats during our visit and spent a chunk of our time there, while enjoying the usual Starbucks coffee and desserts.
After that, we did some walking around Ninenzaka and its famous slope.
I did managed to catch a glimpse of a real Maiko. Did not take any photo of the said Maiko because I remembered reading somewhere about not to do so because they find it very intrusive. Which now I somewhat regretted because the Maiko's ensemble and make-up was exquisite. It's one thing to see it on television and it's a totally another level seeing it up-close and personal.
We roamed around the area for a little bit before hopping on a bus that goes straight to the JR Kyoto station.
Kyoto Station
We took the Shinkansen back to Osaka, had okonomiyaki and takoyaki for dinner at Dotonbori.
