Japan 4th Day (Part 1) - Fushimi Inari Shrine

Visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine had been on our itinerary from the very start of our trip, but having always been scheduled at the end of very busy days, by our 4th day we still hadn't gone there yet.  Leslie suggested that we go there first thing in the morning instead, just before going to Osaka, and that worked out just great.

Here is the crowd at Kyoto Station at around 7:15 in the morning.


Luckily, our platform was on the opposite side of the arriving crowd.


We decided to grab some breakfast from this bakery.


Had lots to choose from.


Leslie picked the croquette on the left.  I had the ham and cheese thing on the top.  I also grabbed what I thought was a jam-topped bread on the bottom.  It wasn't jam but a fishy kind of paste.  It was HORRIBLE . . . especially when your taste buds are expecting something sweet . . . ptui, ptui, ptui.  Ack!


Space-saving countertops at McDonalds.


Pay phones.


Cigarettes and beer.


The shrine was just two stops away from Kyoto Station on the JR Nara line, and it was right across the street from the Inari Station . . . really easy to get to.








Up these steps and to the left were the gates that we were looking for.






This is the shot that I dreamed of getting while sitting at my desk at work.  Dream came true . . . sooooo happy!!!


The "climb" was very easy . . . pretty short and not steep at all.




I liked that heading downwards there was writing on the posts.  It made for a different look.




The souvenir shops had opened up by the time we got back down.






Next:  Osaka

Kyoto's Izuju Restaurant - A Review

written by guest blogger Don Chinen

I was so, so happy to have received the following e-mail from Don Chinen.  It made me feel less bad about Izuju Restaurant being closed when me and Leslie got there. Thank you so much Don!   


I've been following your blog for a while now.  Love it.  Anyhooo, my wife and I also went to Osaka and Kyoto recently (11/1 - 11/9).  Japan is such a awesome place huh?  Well, I also saw the website on Izuju Restaurant (that you linked to on your blog) and was excited to go.  I got their two specialties in the Saba Roll (not sure what it's called) and the Inari sushi, and we also got what was described in the menu as Grilled Fish sushi (There was a english menu).  The Saba on the sushi was delicious.  Much more delicious then I thought it would be (I've had Saba nigiri before and just thought it was okay.).  However, the saba to rice ratio wasn't that great in my opinion (ie: too much rice for the amount of fish).  The Inari sushi was okay, but not that memorable.  The aburage skin was just okay (not sweet like we are used to in Hawaii).  Also there was Hemp (as in Pakalolo) seeds in the Inari.  There wasn't a lot of it, but the seeds were sort of hard.  My wife kept taking them out and not eating them.  It also didn't add a great flavor.  The grilled fish sushi was like a paste spread on rice.  Sort of like eating a musubi with a paste on top.  
 
Just writing to let you know that if you plan on visiting Kyoto again, by all means stop by and see for yourself.  If you don't go again, no worries you didn't miss that much.  I don't think I would go back to that restaurant but if I did I would only get the Saba again (out of the three things we tried).  I attached a picture (taken from my iphone, not nice kind like yours) of the sushi(s).
 
Keep blogging,
Don

Jason's Cheesecake

More Japan photos to come, but for today I wanted to share this cheesecake recipe with you.  My 20-something-year-old nephew Jason professes to be a manly guy who normally doesn't bake, but this cheesecake which he made for Thanksgiving was super, super ono.



 2 pounds (4 8oz. pkgs) Philadelphia cream cheese
 1 1/2 cup sugar
 4 or 5 eggs (depending on size)
 dash of vanilla
 graham cracker crumbs

You will need two cake pans, one 8" and one 10", both 3" deep (not springform pans).  Butter the inside of the smaller pan and coat with the graham cracker crumbs.  

Mix the cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth.  Pour into 8" cake pan.  Place the small pan inside the larger one and pour water around the outside, about 2" deep.

Place in an oven at 350 for 1/2 hour. Reduce temperature to 300 and bake for an additional 2 1/2 hours or until the cheesecake has risen and the top has browned.  Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake inside for another hour.  

Cool the pan on a rack for one more hour, then place a plate over the top, invert the pan and wait for the cake to fall onto the plate.  Top with your favorite topping.

Japan 3rd Day - Arashiyama

Early on the morning of our third day in Japan we caught the JR Sagano train and headed northwestward about 6 stops to the Saga Arashiyama Station.   We wanted to make sure to catch the first Sagano Romantic Train and first Hozu River Boat Ride of the day.

Throughout our trip I liked to sneak shots while inside the trains whenever I could.  I would wait until an announcement came on the speakers to hide the sound of my shutter click.  Here are some kids on their way to school.


After arriving at the Saga Arashiyama Station we walked a few steps over to the Torokko Saga Station where we needed to board the Romantic Train.  We had to stand in line and wait about 45 minutes for the ticket office to open. The . . . minutes . . . ticked . . . by . . . very  . . . s-l-o-w-l-y.   There was a museum of sorts at the station.






The above picture was taken by our new friend Yu Yang who had come from Tokyo with her cute dog to enjoy the day (check out Leslie's blog for a photo of Yu's dog).


The car quickly filled and we were on our way.






After a short 20-minute ride to Kameoka we boarded a bus to the boat launch area.  We were so lucky to have joined up with Yu because we only had a few minutes to find and board the bus.  All we had to do was follow her lead.














One of the boatmen showed me his calloused hands.  I only got this blurry shot but still wanted to share it with you.




Towards the end of the boat ride a snack boat pulled up alongside of us.  I bought these chestnuts for 500 yen.  Looks good yah.  They were dry. Lose money.


After docking we saw this tofu restaurant and decided to give it a try.








It totally hit the spot.


It was raining as we were leaving the restaurant, and the lady there gave us these umbrellas!!  


We then strolled and shopped in the surrounding area.


I bought this red shiso arare for 100 yen.  














Leslie asked these girls to pose for us. They were just tickled to do so.  Cute!!














I wasn't sure we would be able to find the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest 'cause my notes placed it before the path to the train station, and it turned out to be after.  Luckily a chestnut vendor pointed us in the right direction. 


Leslie's red backpack made it easy for me to find her.








Leslie bought an ono ume jam thing from a branch of this store in Gion.  We got to sample it again here.  I also bought some marinated garlic for Landon from this place. Sorry, wish I knew the name of the store.




On our way back home we decided to pick up a take-out dinner in case we were too pooped to go out again.  We bought burgers and fries.


Hooo hoooo!  Bacon cheeseburger.  Juicy and yummy and NO CALORIES!   Really!  Hahahaha!