Acting on a whim, we took a ride this morning on an electric train which took us up to the lower slopes of Mount Kurama, just north of Kyoto. There are any number of shrines on the heavily-wooded mountainside, and clear paths and steps are provided so that you can slowly wend your way up. We went about half-way up (a bit of training for Yosemite National Park next week) and it was a lovely cool alternative to the city. A little bit of the rain that had been promised turned up around mid-day, but not enough to cause us a problem. In folklore, the mountain was inhabited by gods, demons and superheroes, the most prominent of which is Tengu, a red creature with a huge nose. They protect Kyoto from evil forces which apparently emanate from the north. Tengu himself was waiting to meet us at the train terminal car park....
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| The first flight of steps at the foot of the mountain. This was the easy bit. |
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| A traditional Japanese bridge about a third of the way up the mountain. |
Before catching the train back to Kyoto, we stopped at a cafe in the little village at the foot of the mountain and had Japanese tea, ice cream and "mountain cake" which is a kind of jelly with a big blob of brown powder. I couldn't really describe the taste, but we both enjoyed it. On the train ride back into the city, Jen sat next to a couple of ladies in kimonos, and I took a sneak photo, firing from my lap. Unfortunately, just as I released the shutter, Jen leaned forward to study the train map, but the two ladies turned out well!
It still surprises me to see so many people, especially women, wearing traditional dress as they go about their daily business, but it's quite charming.
By evening, the rain had set in, so I'm afraid we were lazy and ate in the hotel.
Jenny's bit: Nice to see a picture of lovely little Japanese ladies and me looking rather like Tengu! Jx
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