The autumn leaves at Bishamon-do Temple in Kyoto

After I enjoyed the afternoon tea at Chorakukan, I went to Bishamon-do Temple in Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City.

In Kyoto, it was a bit too early to view autumn leaves. Even so, I wanted to avoid crowded spots and I visited a little-known temple.

The Bishamon-do Temple is about twenty minutes walk from Yamashina Station. It was a sloping road from halfway, so it was a bit hard to walk. After walking through a resident area, passing by a canal and you will see the front approach of the Bishamon-do Temple.

The Bishamon-do Temple is well-known for its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Also, there is plenty to see such as the sliding screen paintings, the ceiling painting and the wooden screen painting by Okyo Maruyama. It was good that the priest of the temple showed us around and explained them.

Yamashina is a short distance away from the center of Kyoto City and there are not so many tourists. There are several famous spots to see cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. If you want to avoid congestion, Yamashina is recommended. (H.S)

                                   The autumn leaves in the garden

                                 The autumn leaves in front of Benzaiten

                               The site of a well and the autumn leaves

                        Looking down at the steep stone steps from Niomon Gate

The carpet of fallen maple leaves is famous and has used for a Japan Railway's commercial. I couldn't see this but it can be seen now.
 (This photo is from Bishamon-do Facebook page)

I got a "Goshuin" (stamps given at shrines or temples) with a maple leaf pattern.

Peaceful farm road in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture

I took a walk along a farm road in Awara City.

 

 

It was a twenty minute train ride from Fukui to Awara. From the Awara station,

it was a walk of approximately twenty minutes to the farm area. Since it's not so far

from Fukui City, it was a nice day trip.

 

 

Fukui City is surrounded by beautiful nature and the farm road I went

had so much more nature than it does in the Fukui City, so it was refreshing to see it.

 

 

It was in the beginning of autumn and such a beautiful day. It was soothing to see some

flowers and Japanese pampas grasses moving gently in the breeze. I saw rows of

beautiful mountains over these flowers and grasses. The area was very quiet but

it was nice to hear bell-ringing crickets, the sound of a few cars passing by

and the distant sound of trains running. I felt nostalgic seeing the scenery and

hearing these sounds.

 

 

I saw large persimmon farms. There were many ripe persimmons that were ready

to be shipped out to the whole country.

 

 

If you have a chance, how about taking a walk around one of farm roads near you?

I'm sure you can feel relaxed.

 

T.F

Book recommended by Ms. Igarashi, the head coach of JETS, Fukui Commercial High School Cheerleader Club

This is the book "Technique to unify team mind", which she showed me at the practice place of JETS.

Lower left hand is Ms. Igarashi's. 

When I visited the practice place of JETS the other day, Ms.Igarashi recommended the book "Technique to unify team mind" to me. JETS is a well-known cheerleader club of Fukui Commercial High School, and Ms. Igarashi is the head coach of it.
Not only did she and JETS members read it, but also they participated in a workshop by the author, Mr. Yusuke Murata.
I think Ms. Igarashi herself could write a book about teamwork because she's already had enough achievements. At any rate, I was impressed with a glimpse of her efforts.
So I  ordered the book immediately after I got home and received it yesterday.
T.S

The figure of teamwork pyramid was put on the wall in the practice place. 

Afternoon tea at Chorakukan in Kyoto City

I went to the Chorakukan to enjoy afternoon tea after Kyoto Sate Guest House, where I posted about it on our blog the other day.

The Chorakukan was built by a businessman Kichibe Murai in 1909 as a guest house for guests from home and abroad. The building and its household equipments are designated as a tangible cultural asset by Kyoto City. Currently, it is used as a restaurant, café, hotel and a place for wedding.

The afternoon tea starts with sparkling wine. You can choose soft drinks. And, you have various choices for tea. I chose Dimbula, which is Sri Lankan tea. It has a mild flavor and I enjoyed the true taste of tea.

You can have a quiet moment as if times stands still, which is completely different from gaiety in Maruyama Park and the adjacent Yasaka-jinja Shrine. The Afternoon tea is so popular, so you should make a reservation in advance. (H.S)

                             The historical appearance of the Chorakukan

                                              Inside the cafe

Afternoon tea set: Cooked sweets, fruits, scones, herb sticks with duck meat, sandwiches etc.

                                                Lovely tea pots

                             There are several such rooms on the second floor.

                                       A photo taken from the landing

Lake Manahime-ko in the early morning, Ono City, Fukui Prefecture

Lake Manahime-ko

Statue of Princess Manahime

Managawa Dam

National Route 157

Early in the morning of last Tuesday, I was driving National Route 157 towards Nukumi Pass at the border between Fukui Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture. After  a while, I stopped the car near Managawa Dam, where I thought that it was beautiful scenery.

A golden statue of Princess Manahime stands there. And it looked like a mysterious scenery suitable for the legend of the princess, with the morning haze over the lake in the background.

By the way, as this road goes further, the road width suddenly becomes narrower and there are several points along a cliff. But at least until around Sasogawa Dam upstream of the Managawa Dam, there is no problem. It is a nice drive way that you can enjoy the scenery.
T.S

The ｍovie ”Echitetsu Monogatari” (Echizen Railway Story)

On November 23rd, the movie "Echitetsu Monogatari(Echizen Railway Story)"
(the website is only available in Japanese) will be released throughout Japan.
The movie is about the local train line in Fukui, "Echizen Railway" and
its kind attendants. On the 23rd, the main actress Natsuko Yokozawa,
the actor Naoto Ogata and the producer of the movie Yoshihisa Kodama
will give speeches at Yurakuza Subaru movie theater in Tokyo.
*The speeches will be given after the movie that will starts at 11:35 ends.

You can check the movie theaters that show the Echitetsu Monogatari from here.
(the website is only available in Japanese)

The movie was released on November 3rd in Fukui Prefecture before its nationwide release , so I went to a theater to check it.

It was great to see the amazing scenery of Fukui, the nice local people,
Echizen Railway and its attendants on the large screen. They all looked
familiar to me because I was born and raised in Fukui.
It was also impressive to see the actress/comedian, Natsuko Yokozawa's
heartfelt acting with her cheerful smiles.

The attendants on the trains of Echizen Railway, they sell tickets, tell them how to get to
their destination if they need and show them recommended local attractions.
They are kind and friendly, so I always feel comfortable asking them questions.

It is very soothing and refreshing to see the Japanese houses, beautiful sky,
large rice fields, mountains and rivers from the train.


If you have a chance to see "Echitetsu Monogatari" (Echizen Railway story)
(the website is only available in Japanese) and ride the train,
enjoy seeing the great scenery of Fukui, and interacting with the nice local people
and the wonderful attendants.

T.F

Kyoto State Guest House

The other day, I went to the Kyoto State Guest House, where I always wanted to visit.

The Kyoto State Guest House was built in 2005 as facilities to welcome distinguished guests from all over the world and allow them to deepen their understanding of, and cultivate friendly relation with, Japan in Kyoto, which symbolizes Japan's history and culture.

From September, advance reservations for individuals will be no longer required. So now you can always visit there. However, please check the website before you visit because when they receive guests from abroad, the scheduled public opening is going to be suspended.（H.S)

 　　

　　　Tapestry of Kyoto Mountain, which was woven using polychrome tapestry　   technique and portrayed the sun setting behind Mt. Atago,

　　　a peak to Kyoto's west.   

 　　　　　　　　　　　Tea utensils and a gilded folding screen

       

     In the garden pond, an evergreen plant called "nebikigusa" is planted to suggest a rice paddy. 

  

                              Table setting in the banquet room  

         

                             The water in the garden pond is very clear.

　　　                    The pond is stocked with varicolored carp. 

           

                      A traditional boat.

                      Dignitaries from overseas can enjoy boating on the pond. 

                In Novemeber 2011, the king and queen of Bhutan visited there and                                enjoyed boating.