Kyoto Day 6 and 7

by Brianin Japan, Kyotoon Posted on

Last full day and a half in Kyoto! I wanted to take it a little slower on my last day to just relax a little after the long week and really to just soak in the fact that I was in Kyoto having a great time. I also managed to do most of the things on my list already so there wasn’t much left that I had planned on seeing on Friday. The morning started off with “charcoal roasted coffee” and pancakes at a place called KO:HI:KAN… pretty good stuff. After that, I got on my bike and headed over to Sanjusangen-do.

They didn't allow pictures inside of the main hall, but inside there are 1000 statues of the Thousand Armed Kanon. It's pretty impressive how they're lined up inside and the main one is actually pretty huge. You'll have to google images to see them unfortunately... or come to Kyoto!
Outer Grounds. Also, the building is pretty long and they have an intense archery competition there too, shooting varying amounts of arrows in rapid succession the entire length of the hall... about 120m I think
After Sanjusangen-do, I headed towards Kiyomizu-dera... probably the most popular destination in Kyoto. If you read my previous posts, you'll remember I rode my bike up to Kiyomizu-dera one night to see it lighted up at night. The streets were empty and beautiful then.... during the day? Totally crowded...
So while searching for a place to lock up and leave my bike, I accidentally walked up the back side of the temple path (meant to be an exit) and so my first view was probably the best view of the temple haha
At the base of the temple on my way in (but really supposed to be the way out)
Ahhh, made my way back to the real entrance after leaving my bike in some gravel lot where a few other bikes were locked up
I think the deal with this was that if you can walk from one rock to the other with your eyes closed then you will find true love.... popular with the students there hehe
I like the wood work
Riding my bike up the hill to Kiyomizu-dera, I actually had some bike problems. Lost a fastener on the rear fender so had to take it off.... after staring at my bike for a while, this was the best solution I could come up with that would allow me to ride my bike back home. Thank goodness for bungee cords!
After Kiyomizu-dera, I rode around Gion area again just to look around and then headed back to Kyoto station for souvenirs and lunch. This was followed by a short afternoon nap and then dinner. I liked the Pontocho area so much that I wanted to go back to have another nice meal along the river. This multi-course dinner was more than satisfying!
Woohoo! Seats facing the river!
hehehe.... soooooooooo good
The view from my seat
Looking the other way
One last look at one of my favorite areas... headed across the river to ride around in the Gion district for a little while longer before going back to the hotel. I didn't really want the night to end!
Main street
Side street

The next morning I went back to DeliFrance for some breakfast pastries and siphon-filtered coffee again. Then I put my bike back into its bike bag and check-out of the hotel by mid-morning. It was a great week in Kyoto and will remain one of my favorite places in all of Japan. I definitely want to go back, if even just to experience the atmosphere (it’s so different from Yokohama or Tokyo). Sad to see the trip end but there will be more to come!

Strava Link!

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