9 April 2025
Kyoto with less tourists
A quick day trip to Uji
I am now fully laundered. Earlier on this trip I could have laundered a heap of money in Macau, but I forgot to steal from the prefectural government before I went there, so instead today I laundered my clothes at the coin laundry in Osaka, which was almost as exciting. When I got there the place was empty, but a bunch of people came in and only used the dryers while I was using the washer, so by the time I was ready to dry I had to use a huge dryer designed to dry futons. I don't think I have to explain just how exciting it was to watch my underpants go around in a drum the size of a mining truck tyre.
Also... Interestingly, prefectural is not a word, despite being commonly used everywhere I go. So on a day when I went to Uji for a day trip, I started by discussing how I washed my clothes first, which I actually did after coming back from my day trip, and followed that up with a dictionary tidbit.
Anyway, Uji is near Kyoto, and is described as the place to go to when you get sick of the crowds in Kyoto. I have not been to Kyoto on this trip, but decided I was pre-sick of crowds anyway.
Behold, the Keihan railway station at Uji. I had to change from the subway to the Keihan main line at Yodoyabashi, then to the Uji line at Chushojima, which was only one of about 10 ways to get there. But all the connections were fast, and all up it takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
After getting off the train at Uji, here is the view from the bridge. Hmm, nothing too special.
This statue has some form of significance, let me have a look and see what... A statue of novelist Murasaki Shikibu. Now is probably the time to announce that Uji is also famous for the highest grade matcha tea powder in all of Japan, I ate no matcha flavoured ice cream or ramen in Uji.
Here is the tourist street, hmm, also nothing too special. It is nice enough, if you like matcha ice cream, but I feel it is over-hyped.
Who thought I was joking about matcha ramen?
Now for a heap of photos of the main attraction here, which charges $7 entry (cash only) which I feel was exorbitant, Byodoin. It is world heritage listed for its matcha themed ramen and ice creams.
They even coloured the lake with matcha.
There were a few blossoms in the garden, it is a relatively small garden, so take your time.
More blossoms, more temple.
The public toilets within the temple grounds are also a famous grave. Seriously.
Here is the entry / exit area, it was refreshingly not too busy.
Next up is some bridges across a little island in the middle of the river. It is mostly man made and gravel covered.
An ancient reinforced concrete pagoda.
More bridges, the red is not as red as many other red bridges.
More of the rather unusual long skinny island.
Here is one of the other temples in the area.
I started to climb up a hill, and was greeted by this cool torii gate scene.
The path up to the lookout area was wide and under appreciated by the masses.
There were however a few old folks at the top, who seemed happy to see me.
Lots of blossoms for the blossom lovers.
And finally, the view from the top. I have made the most of it, around to the right from here it is really quite industrial.
Now to do my laundry, which I already did, but did so after taking this photo and completing the train journey in reverse back to Osaka.