[Osaka] - Taiko-en | Kaiseki Japanese Course dinner

We proceed to Osaka by coach after left Kiyomizu Temple...

 I dozed all the way from Kyoto to Osaka,

and created this embarrassing 'bad hair day!'

We're going to have traditional multi-course Japanese cuisine (Kaiseki Ryori = 懐石料理) for dinner. We're placed us inside few banquet halls on the second floor. I think because of our large group unable to fit inside one of the restaurants.

Taiko-en is Osaka’s premier ceremony venue with 

five restaurants and twelve banquet halls.

 There's an exhibition hall beside this wall.

I didn't went in as it's guarded outside. 

 

 Taiko-en has a rich and vibrant history as a place for royals.

Splendid 5.7-acre land was once the home of business tycoon,

Baron Denzaburo Fujita (the founder of Fujita Kanko).

He acquired the land on the bank of Yodogawa River, and...

he started to construct his majestic and impressive mansion in 1890.

It's called Amijima Palace by locals. 

 After World War II, Fujita Kanko decided to open the Fujita estate for business.

 He called it “Taiko-en,” named after Toyotomi Hideyoshi who built the Osaka Castle. 

Toyotomi was a preeminent warrior, general and ruler in 16th century Japan. 

He was widely known as “Taiko.”  

 

  The property features artificial pond and hill (Tsukiyama-shiki kaiyu-style garden).

The garden also use unusual and precious rocks 

collected from Sho-do island and Mount Ikoma,

Rare lanterns and...

 
pagodas were also use to create this picturesque garden. (Source)

 

 Found this stone Torii decorated with straw rope (Shimenawa) 

and white zigzag paper strips (Shide) to mark sacred trees or

stones inside this Japanese garden.

Ok, let me be your guide while waiting for other coaches...

 Let's stroll along the pond and beautiful garden full of flowers.
It's nice to enjoy the fresh air and smells of springtime! ^^

What is that white building located at end of the garden?

Graceful Western-style Garden Chapel blends well

with the best of Japanese garden.

Vent Vert Garden Chapel.
 

Ground floor of Geihinkan brick building is a reception hall.
with 'Luxele' French cuisine Restaurant and Cafe 'Brillervert'.


There are banquet and conference halls on 2nd - 3rd floors.
Wedding facilities is on top of the building.

     
Inside this Japanese-style architecture is
Yodogawatei Japanese Restaurant.


Must be very nice dining inside while gazing at wonderful garden
and koi fish pond outside the restaurant.

For lunch, we had Yudofu (simmered Tofu in hot water) which was known as Shojin Ryori in Kyoto.  And Kaiseki Japanese Course for dinner.

Kaiseki Ryori (会席料理) is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner.  Refined Kaiseki set menu of select food served on an individual tray which were meticulous prepared and emphasis on subtle local flavors and seasonal ingredients. 

Seasonal Sashimi (Mukozuke / 向付) 

Grill Fish (Yakimono / 焼物).

    

Grated yam, pumpkin, vegetables (Shiizakana / 強肴).

    Chawan Mushi (Mushimono/ 蒸し物).

Rice with anchovies and miso soup (Tomewan / 止椀)

Only after eating this bowl of rice and miso soup, I felt my tummy filled 80%. Kaiseki is considered a light and delicate meal to be enjoyed slowly and appreciate the different textures, flavors, temperature and presentation of the food.

Our guide told us that all the flowers, leaf or other garnishes are edible, and some is to clean our palate after eating sashimi.  

Japanese orange sorbet (Mizu-gashi  / 水菓子).

Kaiseki meal is the most expensive type of Japanese food. 

Normally served in restaurants filled with greenery and beautiful view of Japanese garden.

Taiko-en

Add: 〒534-0026 都島区網島町9-10

          9-10 Amijima-cho, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka-shi  534-0026

Tel: +81 6-6356-1110

[Kyoto] - Kiyomizudera Temple (音羽山清水寺)

Our brief 15 minutes visit to Kiyomizudera Temple...ㅠㅠ

 This photo was taken at squarish 9m x 9m Tamura Hall with beautiful
hip-and-gable roof (Irimoya-zukuri). Waiting to collect entrance tickets
before left our group and go down the hill to Okamoto Kimono Rental.

 Inner Map of Kiyomizudera Temple.

Finally reached Muromachi style Niomon (仁王門 =Deva Gate)
after mad rush uphill walk with this traditional Kimono. Phew~!

Two Diva Kings, one on either side standing inside the green latices, and  
a pair of  Komainu (狛犬 = Lion-dogs) stand guard to protect temple
and prevent evil spirit to enter the temple ground.

Kiyomizu temple was registered as UNESCO world heritage site in 1994.

The open-mouth Deva is commonly placed to the right, and the closed-mouth Deva to the left. Each is named after a particular cosmic sound. The open-mouth figure is called  Agyō (阿形), who is uttering the sound “ah,” meaning birth. His close-mouth partner is called Ungyō (吽形) who sounds “un” or “om,” meaning death. Both combined become sacred word “OM” (オン in Japanese / 唵 in Chinese / 옴 in Korean). 

In Korea normally you'll find Four Heavenly Kings guarding the Korean Buddhist Temples.

 

Spectacular view the city of Kyoto and Kyoto Tower in the distance.

Gable roof (Kiritsuma-zukuri) with six pillars Bell Pavilion (Shoro)
supported this 2 ton of giant bell.


From here, you can see busy Kiyomizu-michi street selling
souvenirs, local foods, Kimono, arts, handicrafts, ceramics, pottery,
confectionery, tea and so on.


Ups? What happen to the highest three-storey pagoda (三重塔 =Sanju-no-to) in Japan?!!

FYI, Kiyomizudera is currently under renovation until 2019.

You'll see grandeur Kiyomizu temple if you're coming for Olympic in 2020.

Nine of the buildings at Kiyomizudera are being renovated step by step.  Currently, the Okunoin Hall, which is well known for the temple's secondary balcony and the neighboring Amida Hall and Shaka Hall are being renovated. Furthermore, a few structures around the entrance, including the 3-storied pagoda, have been wrapped up for renovation. The construction has a certain but not overwhelming impact on a visit. Later in the decade, the Main hall will also undergo renovation which can be expected to have a bigger impact on a visit. (source)

    

Withered cheery blossom looking sadly at blanketed Pagoda...

 

Kaizando (Tamura-do Hall)  beside Pagoda.


  Zuigudo (随求堂) Hall worshiping mother of
Budda Daizuigu Bosatsu (大隨求菩薩).

 
 There is a completely dark hall inside Zuigudo Hall called "Tainai Meguri"
Entering this hall symbolizes you are inside Zuigu Bosatsu or mother's womb.
Feel your own light in the complete darkness!


   Lots of Ema hanging here because Zuigu Bosatsu has
power to fulfill  all kinds of wishes!^^


Simple unpainted Shaka-do Hall has nice detailed hipped roof
(Yosemune-zukuri).


Kiyomizudera Main Hall (Hondo).

The principal image of the Juichimen Senju Kannon Bosatsu  (a standing statue of Eleven-faced  Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) is enshrined in  inside Zushi (a miniature Buddhist shrine). It's  which is only displayed to public once every 33 years.

Hondo main hall is is designated as a national treasure, and it's the main attraction of the temple

Main hall Kiyomizu Stage sitting on the cliff of Otowa Mountain.

The most interesting part is they did not use a single nail to construct this platform stage. They meticulously chosen beech tree (櫸木) as it said that it can stand up to 800 years. It has been surviving earthquakes, rain, wind and withstand thousands of visitors per day. The next reconstruction of these 139 giant pillars in crisscross pattern only required in year 2430. Wow~! isn't it awesome?!!

In fact, Kiyomizu-dera Temple was selected as one of the finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Although the Secondary Hall (Okuno-in Temple) is under renovation,
but at least I can enjoy the nice view of cherry blossom.

A hidden Buddhist statue of Senju Kannon is the oldest three-faced,one thousand-armed Kannon Bosatsu, which still remains in Japan.

Koyasu Pagoda on the opposite mountain with greenery of spring!

Koyasu means “an easy childbirth,” visit this pagoda will automatically bring ease to any woman’s childbirth and have her baby safely. 

Unfortunately, we're not fated to go down to the Waterfall Pond.

Kiyomizu means pure water (清い水) in Japanese. Actually, most of the people visit the temple  to drink drink its sacred "Ougon-sui (golden water)" water from Otowa-no-taki  Waterfall,  and pray for Rokkonshoujyou (Purification of the six roots of perception).

The waterfall is divided into 3 streams. They have same purpose to bring you health, longevity, and wisdom. So, you can choose to drink from either one of the streams, and not all. Note that being greedy will only bring you misfortune!

 

Do you really need to jump to make wish come true?!

The expression "to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu" (清水の舞台から飛び降りる) is the Japanese equivalent of the English expression "to take the plunge". 

This refers to an Edo period tradition that held that, if one were to survive a 13m jump from  Kiyomizu stage, his wish would be granted, but now this practice is prohibited.

 Reminding myself to be grateful for everything that I have.

 I do believe in Karma, so let's just do more good deeds!

May all sentient beings be free from sufferings, and I also pray that passengers of  Sewol ferry could return safely.

These were last few photos we took before leaving the temple...

   

Or else, the coach will leave without us!

Our guide had warned us for not to be late, as we're heading to Osaka after this. He smiled and asked not to worry... he told us to gave the taxi driver the hotel address in Osaka (printed on our itinerary). The taxi fee is just around 20,000 Yen. He converted it to SGD and MYR for us. What? SGD 225! 

But, I don't mind staying here!

Then, he said very expensive, right?! Then, he taught us this free method to go to Osaka! You should cry as loud as possible. Most of Japanese people are kind and will try to help you. But, you shouldn't talk and say anything... you can make it more dramatic sitting on the floor and cry and using hand language. They might call the police to help you... then you might be sitting inside the police car, and safely arrive at the hotel without paying a single cent! Hahaha... love his crazy idea, but I think it'll only work if you're really a good actor or actress!

 

No worry... be happy!~^^

Kiyomizudera Temple (音羽山清水寺) 

Address: 1 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Admission Fee: 200 Yen (Student) / 300 Yen (Adult)
Opening hours: 6:00 - 18:00
Directions:
* Bus No. 206 from Kyoto Station to Gojozaka (10 mins), and walk to the temple (10 mins ).
* Bus No. 207 from Shijo-Kawaramachi to Kiyomizu-michi bus stop (6 mins) and walk to the temple (10 mins ).

Not sure whether this is Chawan-zaka (Teapot street) that is also leading

to Kiyomizudeera Temple. This alley is less busier than Kiyomizu-michi.

Kiss Kiss Kyoto~! Love this rustic and ancient city so much!

Related Posts:

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 Korean Buddhist Temple