After travelling via the super-fast Shinkansen train, we arrived at Shin-Kobe station (‘Shin’ prefix meaning something like ‘new’) and enjoyed spending two days here. Felt good to use the same hotel as a base for consecutive days! We had a nice time exploring the city, which also had a Chinatown district! It had felt perhaps more business-like than Fukuoka, and obviously we were keen to try the famous Kobe beef.
A tip we had read that we would be happy to pass on - many restaurants (at least those offering the specialty Wagyu beef in Kobe) offer the same menu at lunch, but at half-price. Accordingly, we tempered our carnivorous desires until lunch the following day, when we had an amazing meal, and at a very reasonable price! Our lunch was at a small (6 people capacity!) Teppanyaki style restaurant. The was really friendly, and kept making jokes throughout. And it was seriously the best beef we have ever had!
After the amazing lunch, we went to explore the unusual Carpentry Tools Museum. Though we knew very little about the subject before we came, it was fascinating to learn about the complex woodworking skills and the exquisite tools used by master craftsmen. In a way, this exhibition underpins so much of what we had seen and enjoyed about Japan. Highly recommend it!
Finally, we did another hike, to some amazing views and a herb garden - which we admittedly had to rush though, in order to make it onto the last cable-car train to go back down! According to iphone Heath app, we did something like 130 floors to walk to the highest point...
Two days later, we had made the short, but somewhat complex, trip up to Koyasan. It took 6 different connections (4x trains, cable car, bus) but actually it was fairly straightforward. Even with our navigation skills we didn’t get lost... Anyway, Koyasan (collection of temples on Mount Koya) is one of the most significant sites (Japanese) Shingon Buddhism - this is where Kobo-Daishi (aka Kūkai) founded the first Buddhist temples in Japan in the 9th century, after studying the religion in China. It is believed that his spirit still resides on the mountain, in deep meditation.
We were deeply moved by the temples and the walk through the forest up to the Kobodaishi Gobyo Mausoleum and the Lantern Hall. The combination of very old forest, shrines and temples was incredible. The rest of Koyasan has (I believe) more than 40 temples.
To make the experience even more special, we had arranged to stay at one of the temples overnight. The experience included vegan dinner and breakfast being served to us in the room (both were delicious!), and an invitation to the morning prayer ceremony.
In contemplative, relaxed and peaceful mood, we now proceed to the final stop of our trip - Osaka.
A tip we had read that we would be happy to pass on - many restaurants (at least those offering the specialty Wagyu beef in Kobe) offer the same menu at lunch, but at half-price. Accordingly, we tempered our carnivorous desires until lunch the following day, when we had an amazing meal, and at a very reasonable price! Our lunch was at a small (6 people capacity!) Teppanyaki style restaurant. The was really friendly, and kept making jokes throughout. And it was seriously the best beef we have ever had!
After the amazing lunch, we went to explore the unusual Carpentry Tools Museum. Though we knew very little about the subject before we came, it was fascinating to learn about the complex woodworking skills and the exquisite tools used by master craftsmen. In a way, this exhibition underpins so much of what we had seen and enjoyed about Japan. Highly recommend it!
Finally, we did another hike, to some amazing views and a herb garden - which we admittedly had to rush though, in order to make it onto the last cable-car train to go back down! According to iphone Heath app, we did something like 130 floors to walk to the highest point...
Two days later, we had made the short, but somewhat complex, trip up to Koyasan. It took 6 different connections (4x trains, cable car, bus) but actually it was fairly straightforward. Even with our navigation skills we didn’t get lost... Anyway, Koyasan (collection of temples on Mount Koya) is one of the most significant sites (Japanese) Shingon Buddhism - this is where Kobo-Daishi (aka Kūkai) founded the first Buddhist temples in Japan in the 9th century, after studying the religion in China. It is believed that his spirit still resides on the mountain, in deep meditation.
We were deeply moved by the temples and the walk through the forest up to the Kobodaishi Gobyo Mausoleum and the Lantern Hall. The combination of very old forest, shrines and temples was incredible. The rest of Koyasan has (I believe) more than 40 temples.
To make the experience even more special, we had arranged to stay at one of the temples overnight. The experience included vegan dinner and breakfast being served to us in the room (both were delicious!), and an invitation to the morning prayer ceremony.
In contemplative, relaxed and peaceful mood, we now proceed to the final stop of our trip - Osaka.
Comments
Yes, I've heard the reputation of Wagyu beef. Is it true the cows are given beer to induce their appetite? I believe the beef is full of tasty fat:-) Yum. How do they cook the beef? Can you have it rare or medium?
Well, with your iphone health app giving you readings of 130 floors (walk), you would have got all that fat sorted:-)
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for the update.
Love and hugs.
D