Hikone + Rokuon-ji Temple (The Golden Pavilion)

Day 9.
The weather is starting to get warmer as we moved on. First stop of the day is non other than the famous "Hikone Castle"

Then we're off for our 90mins Hikone Castle walk~

Hikone city was established as a castle town in the Edo era. The town possessed many merchants, craftsmen, and farmers other than warriors. There were over 100 different occupations that were divided at specific districts according to their social structure.

In addition, warriors lived in specific areas according to their ranking. They were called Hikone Machi Kata fifty-three Cho. Currently most of the town and its names are updated, however, it can still be differentiate based on the design of the houses and roads.

Have to purchase a ticket first before u get to enter the Hikone Castle..

And then after that is where the real WALK begins.. climb climb climb up the tall tall long long rock-stairway..

This is just like one small part of it.. we had to walk thru at least 8 stairways like this *faint*

*half-dead* liao.. finally we are getting close to the castle!!

*Random pics taken upon entering the compound of Hikone Castle*

jeng jeng.. this is it!!
Hikone Castle is a magnificent 400 year old structure. It is three stories tall, with ivory white walls and surrounded by a double moat. The castle has been valued at 350,000 koku (an old system of measurement, where one koku = the amount of rice it takes to feed one person for one year).

The view outside Hikone Castle, yes, mountain top..

after walking thru 8 crazy long stairways~

I don really remember much of wat is inside the castle, but all I can remember is that it has the steep-ist staircase I've ever walked on!!!! My mom didn't even wanted to go up once she saw the staircase.. hahaha..

She rather wait outside for us to finish checking out the castle ;o)

These red leaves are insanely beautiful, how I wish I could have one of these in my backyard one day ;oP

More view of the place..

After spending some time there, it's time to move on to another area of the place. It took us a while to get there, banyak staircase bahhhh...

After a few minutes walk, finally we reached Genkyu-en (Garden)

I'm not gonna say much here cause' as they said,

"A picture paints a thousand words"

After a short 20mins walk, finally we're at the EXIT. It's time we head back to our parking lot and head to the next destination.

My mom was going insane seeing all those beautiful trees and flowers so we spent another 15mins here before heading back to the bus.. she kept on shouting, "I want a pic taken here!! I want a pic taken there!!" tsk tsk tsk..

My cousin was thinking that she wanna snap a picture us where there were lotsa red leaves dropping on us.. sekali.. these turns out!

"E suk chao" eeehhh sehhh!! hahaha..

A pic of the wonderful cameraman, DADDY and beautiful, MOMMY!

Then we're off to our next destination~

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We're still consider inside Hikone City - just less than 15mins drive away from Hikone Castle. Arriving at Yonban-Cho Square.

This refreshed Taisho styled town used to be called the kitchen of Hikone. This relaxing town is centered around HIkone food manor Yonban Cho dining, and Hikone center town plaza.

There is a patio, a creek and a Roku Dou Shi for your relaxation. And your can always hear hypersonic sounds when ur walking around the street ;o)

*souvenirs sold* - I wanted to buy but duno wanna give to whom ;o(

Then it's time for lunch~!!

Aarrgghhh.. starving nehhh~~~~

I get to do something very interesting during lunch tis time. I get to "tum tum tum" my own sesame den mix it with the sauces I like.. macam main masak masak ;oP

Cousin Fabrian + Jessica decided to do something funny!

Those are real!!

Ok, off we head to our next spot!!

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Wushhh... there we were!

The famous Golden Pavilion - Rokuon Ji Temple

After a long-Q, finally it's Nellys' turn to buy our ticket~

semua laki-laki one nehhh..

There were a lot of school students paying the place a visit that day, more than 20 groups a ppl - at least!

The Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku)

The 1st floor is Shinden-zukuri - the palace style. It is named Ho-sui-in.

The 2nd floor is Buke-zukuri - the style of the samurai house. It is called Cho-on-do.

The 3rd floor is Karayo style or Zen Temple style. It is called Kukkyo-cho.

Both the 2nd and 3rd floor are covered with gold leaf on Japanese lacquer.

The roof, upon the Chinese phoenix settles, is thatched with shingles.

The pond is called Kyoko-chi (Mirror pond).

The view behind the Golden Pavilion ;o)

Then we're off to see its beautiful garden.

The garden remains as it was in the former days and can be enjoyed as it was hundreds of years ago.

*View of the garden*

The place was really crowded that day, we didn't really got the chance to slowly enjoy the view and buy some charms and stuff - too many Japanese students liao..

Fudo-do, a hall dedicated to the God of Fire.

last chance to shop before we head out!! and still... we bought nothing ;oP

Finishing the tour of the Golden Pavilion~~

There were still so many tour groups coming in as we exit the place!! This must be one famous tourist spot..

Mommy grabbing another ice-cream.. as usual..

She bought ice-cream whenever she sees a stall is selling!

pwweeiitt~~ amoi Jepun..

youngster~ harrr... those were the days ;oP

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Last spot of the day before we head back to our Kyoto Hotel.

Nishijin Textile Centre

yes.. this is one of the places where they do handmade stuff.

so old liao.. still a PRO when it comes to making the perfect kimono drawings!

*goods sold*

this lady here is making silk~

My first time seeing silk wormssss...

GELIIIIII~~~~

wondering why something so ugly can produced something so pretty and EXPENSIVE!!

din bought anything here, it is just way out of my league ;oP

decorating items.. handbags.. all handmade.. watever u want, they have it all!

Me and Jess tired liao looking around..

Handmade bear bear~~

Painting, drawings..

Counter lady.. no no.. this one is not for sale! ;oP

Wanted to buy one for hubby but then, since the day we start dated I've never seen him wore a tie before (except our wedding day la..)

After snooping around for about 15mins, finally the main attraction in the building is about to start, the FASHION SHOW~~ jeng jeng jeng..

I like the lady wearing the black kimono.. the rest look so-so to me nia..
After the fashion show, we were all getting tired liao.. time to head back to the hotel and rest cause we'll be heading back to Osaka liao the next day~~!!! YESSSSS!!!

-stay tuned-