When we walked down the Nishiki Market, we always have to pay respects to the infamous Tenmangu Shrine with a beautiful gleaming bronze cow. We practiced and learned how to shrine there so that we can properly repeat it as we go through Japan. There was a sense of familiarity as I rang the bell, clapped my hands and said thanks to be able to come back again on this trip.
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| Washing my hands before heading up to the main shrine |
The arcade itself was also very busy - selling clothes, some groceries and a lot of medicine and skincare items - mostly for tourists. With that, we walked towards Gion and Pontocho to get more of the traditional vibe of Kyoto.
Pontocho really never gets old. As soon as the sun sets and all the lanterns were turned on, welcoming guests into izakayas and tapas bars, is where you slowly see the luminosity of this street. Walking along here really made me feel a bit out of place - with my scarf and quilted trench - it was as if I was meant to walk along here with a yukata on just to fit in.
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| Lanterns lit up during night time |
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| Cute little shop selling all things "usagi" (rabbit themed) |
We maximized most of the afternoon and enjoyed our walks. We wanted to walk further but it started raining, so we chose a random coffee shop near the main road called Ogawa Coffee. We didn't really have any preferences, as long as it was a coffee shop where we can rest our feet. It turned out that Ogawa serves some really legit coffee and had options down to organic and fair trade! We ordered a few options, though stay away from the hot chocolate - it was just too sweet, almost like drinking thick sugar!. You'll be safe with any of the coffees. We also tried their dessert set with the coffee soft serve and coffee jelly. It was just right.
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| A single shot espresso, long black and hot chocolate. |
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| Coffee flavored parfait set with coffee soft serve and coffee jelly |
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