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Late Autumn in Kyoto | Chocolat BEL AMER Kyoto shop

2017.12.14

Kyoto and Nara

I really wanted to come to the chocolate shop this time.
It is the Kyoto shop of BEL AMER, which aims for chocolate making to suit Japan and values four seasons, opened two years ago. In fact, Kyoto is the site of fierce competition among chocolate shops, coffee shops and bakeries.
And Kyoto boasts the largest bread consumption in the country.

 

I arrived at the shop and found several people were waiting inside the door, so I wondered
if it was for entry to the shop but it was for entry to the cafe on the second floor.
When entering the shop, a lot of jewel-like chocolates caught my eye.
So it was hard to pick but I could get Kyoto-like chocolates not too sweet and with deep taste. I never thought chocolates were such delicious before.
I felt very satisfied at the day trip to Kyoto. (H.S)

 


Kyoto style merchant-house-like entrance

 


I would like to try the cafe next time.
They serve afternoon tea, too.

 


There is a tiny garden on the other side of the store curtain.

 


The shop is busy.
And, it’s very Kyoto-like, there is Shoki (God) on the roof.

 


Mizuhiki, instead of a ribbon.

 


“Chocolat Miyabi”
The design showing four seasons is not only beautiful but also the chocolates are all delicious.
All chocolates are ganache or praline, so you can taste Japanese and Western ingredients at the same time.
Clockwise from top right, strawberry and rosemary, white miso and coconuts, brown sugar and coffee, green tea and citron.

Late Autumn in Kyoto | Konkai-Komyoji Temple

2017.12.10

Kyoto and Nara

Next, I went to Konkai-Komyoji Temple for the first time.
The temple is one of the head temples of Jodo Sect.
The founder of the temple is Honen.
For fans of history in the end of Edo period, it is well known as
the headquarters of Shinsengumi (a group of samurai warriors of the shogunate side).
When I came to the temple, I understood why the headquarters was set up there.
Because it has a large precinct and is relatively close from Old Imperial Palace.
It is said that about 1,000 members were able to station in the temple.
Also, I was right about coming here not overcrowded Nanzenji Temple or Eikando
during this time and I could stroll leisurely.
After I reflected on the end of Edo period, I head to Sanjo to buy souvenirs. (H.S)

 


The large abbey can be seen from its eastern slope.

 


The Amitabha hall and autumn leaves.

 


From the stone steps in front the the Founder’s hall to the temple gate.

 


The temple gate and colored leaves.

 


The stamp of the Konkai-Komyoji Temple.

Spreading the charms of Fukui to the world! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins Part-7-

2017.12.08

Places to visit

the signboard of Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins

As I have introduced in our previous blog, I had the opportunity to join a tour visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins in June 2017. I went with the president of the Hotel Riverge Akebono, Mr. Shimizu, the intern of the hotel, Ms. Julia Coslian, the manager of Fukui City Hospitality and Tourism Promotion Office, Mr. Takama and his staff member, Mr. Juancho Santamaria.

 

 

Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins in the rich nature

The tour spots information of ”Fukui Tour Guides Association (http://fukuitourguides.org/en/english-tourist-spots/ichijodani/)” as follows:
Ichijodani is located approximately 10km southeast from Fukui Station. The Warring State-era warlords, the Asakura clan, ruled this area from 1471 to 1574. The ruins of their castle town can still be seen today. In 1971, 278ha including Ichijodani castle was specified for the special historic site of the country. In 1991, the garden of Suwa Mansion ruins, the garden of Yudono ruins, the garden of Asakura Mansion ruins, and the garden of Nanyoji ruins were designated as a special place of scenic beauty. In 2007, 2343 relics excavated from the Asakura clans ruins were designated as important cultural properties.

 

 

Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins and the bridge in the rich nature

Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins is located in an area that is rich in nature. I think the nature there is one of the attractive parts for its popularity.

 

As you might have read in our previous blogs that we enjoyed having lunch at the Japanese traditional tempura restaurant, and learning about the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins and Japnaese history in the restored townscape.

 

Julia experienced Kimono Dressing and she said that she felt as if she had stepped back in time to a Warring States Period.

 

How Mr. Shimizu, Mr. Takama and the guide told us about the stories of Japanese histories were fascinating and enjoyable. I enjoyed listening to them with Julia.

 

 

suwayakata bashi bridge
Julia is smiling and standing on the bridge

After walking in the restored townscape, we crossed Suwayakata bridge which is located in front of the restored townscape.

 

 

the name of river runs under the bridge, Ichijodani gawa is inscribed on one of the poles of the bridge

The river running under the bridge is the upstream of Ichijodani river.

 

 

Mr. Takama and the guide are in front of the Karamon gate on a bridge
Mr. Takama and Julia are looking into the pond

When they were looking into another stream in front of Karamon gate…

 

 

carps and a turtle in the pond that Mr. Takama and Julia are looking at

There were beautiful carps and some turtles swimming.

 

 

walking into Karamon gate

As we were about to walk through the gate and step into the gardens…

 

 

 a distinguished figure in the armor

we saw a man with a distinguished figure in the armor.

 

 

is he a samurai?

Is he a real warrior?

We decided to go up to him and talk to him.

 

 

we found out that he is a friendly volunteer from Osaka

As soon as we started talking to him, we realized that he is a friendly person.
He told us that he is originally from Osaka and he is volunteering at Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins because he fell in love with Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins. He said that “when I visited here for the first time, even it was my first time being here, I felt that I had been here before. It was very strange feeling but good feeling. It was very nostalgic, comforting and/or soothing feeling. Therefore I decided to move to Fukui. “

 

Some friends of mine fell in love with Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins as well. Whenever they visit Fukui, they always visit Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins. There is something about this place that attract people strongly.

 

Some friends of mine fell in love with Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins as well. Whenever they visit Fukui, they always visit Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins. There is something about this place that attract people strongly.

 

Some friends of mine fell in love with Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins as well. Whenever they visit Fukui, they always visit Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins. There is something about this place that attract people strongly.

 

T.F

 

 

Please enjoy our previous blogs as well.

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 1-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 2-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 3-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 4-
Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 5-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 6-

 

You can see some tourist attractions and the directions to these places from the webpage, "Hotel Reiverge Akebono, Tourist attractions around our hotel".

Made by Julia during her internship, this webpage has directions that are easy to follow.

She researched these tourist attractions, before visiting them and experiencing

the charms of Fukui herself. As I mentioned in our previous blog, it can be difficult for tourists

to get to some great places in Fukui, so this map that Julia made will help you

get around easier.

 

There is also a Japanese version of this webpage(only available in Japanese).

However, some of the places which are introduced on the Japanese webpage

are different to the English version that Julia made.

Late autumn in Kyoto|Seimei-jinja Shrine  

2017.12.02

Kyoto and Nara

The other day I went to Kyoto for the first time in a while.
I have visited quite a lot of temples and shrines in Kyoto but still there are ones
I have never been to. So I visited Seimei-jinja Shrine for the first time.
The shrine is famous because it enshrined Abe no Seimei who was a renowned
ying-yang master. And it is very popular as expelling evil and a “power spot”.
I also offered prayers and drew a paper fortune which said “lucky”,
so I could leave the shrine feeling refreshed.
Now then, I head to Konkai Komyo-ji Temple. (H.S)

 


The first gate of the Seimei-jinja Shrine. Its crest, a five-rayed star is bright.

 


In the precincts, there is the actual old Ichijo-modori bashi Bridge, which is famous
for revival and ghost.

 


The current Ichijo-modori bashi Bridge close to the Semei-jinja Shrine.
You cannot feel any nostalgia any longer though.

 


“Seimei’s well”
It is said that the water rose by Seimei’s psychic powers.

 


It is believed that by touching the peach expels evil.
I also touched it many times :)

 


There were wooden boards to write wishes by Yuzuru Hanyu himself.
Come to think of it, he has performed with a song from the film “Yin-Yang Master”.

 


There was a yin-yang mark on this kind of place in the precincts.

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