{"id":10890,"date":"2016-03-04T09:30:48","date_gmt":"2016-03-04T09:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.insidejapantours.com\/?p=10890"},"modified":"2016-03-04T09:46:16","modified_gmt":"2016-03-04T09:46:16","slug":"three-tips-for-an-alternative-kyoto-day-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/04\/three-tips-for-an-alternative-kyoto-day-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Three tips for an alternative Kyoto day trip"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>As a resident of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/kyoto\/\">Japan\u2019s ancient capital<\/a>, I sometimes find it hard to find a reason to leave this great city. With more temples, shrines, museums, restaurants and bars than you can shake a <em>kyosaku<\/em> (Zen hitting-stick) at, there is so much going on in the city that you can easily spend four or five days of your trip here and still be ticking off the major sights.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10898\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10898\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10898\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Kinkaku-ji - Probably the most major of Kyoto's major sights\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4316-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10898\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kinkaku-ji &#8211; Probably Kyoto&#8217;s most famous sight<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That being said, many of our customers decide to spend one of their days in Kyoto using this well-placed city as a base for hopping somewhere else for the day. The most popular destination is probably <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/nara\/\">Nara<\/a>, the capital city before Kyoto and home to the world\u2019s largest bronze Buddha statue (I\u2019ve also got some tips for a day trip to Nara <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/30\/a-fiery-festival-and-a-red-hot-tip-for-a-nara-day-trip\/\">here<\/a>). If armed with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japan-rail-pass\/\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a>, then <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/himeji\/\">Himeji<\/a>, home to what is arguably Japan\u2019s finest (and newly restored!) castle, and even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/hiroshima\/\">Hiroshima<\/a> are doable day trips from Kyoto.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll never get any arguments from me if you decide to spend your whole Kyoto stay actually in Kyoto. Nor will you receive any rebuttals if you decide to visit Nara, Himeji or Hiroshima. But if you would like to spend a day visiting somewhere beneath the surface and away from the crowds, then perhaps a day in neighbouring Otsu is just the ticket.<\/p>\n<p>Otsu is the capital city of Shiga prefecture and lies on the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan\u2019s largest freshwater lake. A day-trip to a whole other prefecture? Sounds like a long way? Never fear! Otsu station is just 9 minutes on the Biwako line from Kyoto Station! Marvellous! Now you\u2019re here, let\u2019s take a look at my top 3 things to see in Otsu.<\/p>\n<p>Disclaimer: All of the things are temples. I really like temples.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>1. Mii-dera<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10892\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10892\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10892 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"The view over Lake Biwa from Mii-dera\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1529-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10892\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The view over Lake Biwa from Mii-dera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mii-dera is one of the four largest temples in Japan and consists of 40 buildings sprawled across the mountainside looking over Lake Biwa. The pictures above and below were taken in May, a great time to visit when the beautiful azaleas are in full bloom. You can easily spend an hour or so wandering along the various paths that meander through\u00a0the temple complex.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10893\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10893\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10893\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"The Kannon-do hall at Mii-dera\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1534-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10893\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Kannon-do hall at Mii-dera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The name of the temple means \u2018Temple of Three Wells\u2019 although actually there is just one well in which three of Japan\u2019s ancient emperors (Emperors Tenchi, Tenmu and Jito) had their first baths. The well is still here over 1,000 years later and you can have a peek inside.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10891\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10891\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10891\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Don't forget your shampoo! \" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1498-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10891\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Don&#8217;t forget your shampoo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>2. Ishiyama-dera<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>After checking out the first of Otsu\u2019s sprawling temple complexes, I recommend moving on to another! Ishiyama-dera is another huge temple compound, where you will be greeted first by the <em>Nio<\/em> temple guardian deities at the main gate.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10899\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10899\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10899\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"The main gate at Ishiyama-dera\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4699-780x585.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10899\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The main gate at Ishiyama-dera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I visited this temple at the beginning of January, which is why you can see the traditional <em>kadomatsu<\/em> New Year\u2019s bamboo decorations standing outside, too. They\u2019ve gone all out this year with the addition of ornamental cabbages to the display. Party time!<\/p>\n<p>The temple\u2019s name means \u2018Stony Mountain Temple\u2019 and it\u2019s famous for the rock formations on which it\u2019s built, which are made of wollastonite.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10900\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10900\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Wollastonite - everyone's favourite calcium inosilicate mineral \" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4703-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10900\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wollastonite &#8211; everyone&#8217;s favourite calcium inosilicate mineral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Aside from the temple\u2019s geological claims to fame, the temple is also the birthplace of the world\u2019s first novel. Murasaki Shikibu began writing her masterpiece,\u00a0<em>Genji Monogatari,\u00a0<\/em>or \u2018The Tale of Genji\u2019 during her stay here\u00a0as a pilgrim in 1004 AD, supposedly receiving inspiration while gazing at\u00a0the moon over Lake Biwa. As such, there are numerous monuments to her dotted around the temple complex.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10902\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10902\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10902\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Murasaki Shikibu hard at work\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4719-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10902\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Murasaki Shikibu hard at work<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Another of the temple\u2019s unique attractions is that no matter what time of year you visit, you can see flowers in bloom. Visiting at the beginning of January, I was somewhat sceptical, but was pleasantly surprised to see these early blooming plum blossoms.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10901\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10901\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10901\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Plum blossoms proving my scepticism to be ill-founded\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4711-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10901\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Plum blossoms proving my scepticism to be ill-founded<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One final thing that I recommend seeking out during your visit is the miniature version of the Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage. The real version of the pilgrimage consists of 33 temples scattered around the Kansai region of Japan (a considerable area!), each housing a revered statue of Kannon, the Buddhist diety of compassion and mercy. Traditionally the pilgrimage would be undertaken on foot and would take a number of weeks to complete. Here it\u2019s possible to do the whole thing in just 15 minutes or so! A path winds its way through the woods taking you past 33 statues depicting the different manifestations of Kannon that are enshrined at each of the temples on the real pilgrimage route. It\u2019s said that if you complete the entire mini-pilgrimage with a sincere heart, you will earn as much merit as completing the real thing. I\u2019m all for shortcuts to enlightenment!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10904\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10904\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10904\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Just a few metres apart - much easier than doing the real thing!\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4729-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10904\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Just a few metres apart &#8211; much easier than doing the real thing!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10903\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10903\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10903\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Kannon number 29\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-1440x1920.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_4725-510x680.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10903\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kannon number 29<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>3. The Umikido at Mangetsu-ji<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>After visiting the two sprawling temple complexes at Mii-dera and Ishiyama-dera and getting enlightened on the mini Kannon pilgrimage, you may be in need of something smaller in scale to bring yourself back to reality. I recommend a trip out to Mangetsu-ji, a tiny temple on the shore of Lake Biwa, famous for its <em>Umikido &#8211;<\/em> a temple hall built on stilts over the lake itself.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10897\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10897\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10897\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"The Umikido floating temple hall at Mangetsu-ji\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1654-780x585.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10897\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Umikido floating temple hall at Mangetsu-ji<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It\u2019s a tiny little temple, but totally charming. You can walk over the bridge and onto the <em>Umikido<\/em> itself and enjoy the views across Lake Biwa.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10895\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10895\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10895\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Looking out over Lake Biwa from the Umikido\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1640-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10895\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking out over Lake Biwa from the Umikido<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The inside of the <em>Umikido<\/em> is packed full of small statues of the Buddha donated by temple adherents.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10896\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10896\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10896\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Buddha statues packed to the rafters\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1641-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10896\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Buddha statues packed to the rafters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>And that\u2019s that! My three favourite places to go in Otsu, just under 10 minutes by train from Kyoto and largely ignored by tourists. A superb place to do some temple-hopping without the crowds that can sometimes plague Kyoto\u2019s most famous sights.<\/p>\n<p>Before heading back to Kyoto, I heartily recommend a little stroll along the promenade that runs along Lake Biwa\u2019s edge near Otsu Station.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10894\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10894\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-10894\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A great place for a lakeside stroll. Or to pose with your motorbike and fishing net!\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1537-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10894\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">No rush to get back to Kyoto!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10890\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! As a resident of Japan\u2019s ancient capital, I sometimes find it hard to find a reason to leave this great city. With more temples, shrines, museums, restaurants and bars than you can shake a kyosaku (Zen hitting-stick) at, there is so much going on in the city [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2367],"tags":[1366,1818,2671,2678,2679],"class_list":["post-10890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-japanese-culture-and-history","tag-buddhism","tag-kyoto","tag-otsu","tag-richard-farmer","tag-kyoto-day-trips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10890"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10890\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11281,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10890\/revisions\/11281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}