Maple & Black Pepper Chiffon cake

Who would have thought? but it was seriously good. Purchased in the basement foodhall of the Isetan department store at Kyoto station. Topped with candied walnuts and ground black pepper! So bloody delicious. 

Day trip to Uji 宇治

Yes, still catching up....  these shots are from a day trip to Uji and Byodoin temple back in November. If you are lucky enough to have an extended stay in Kyoto  - Uji is a great side trip and worth a half day's wandering.  It is on the way to Nara if you'd like to incorporate the two - I'd recommend an overnight stay in Nara as the area is so rich with history and beauty - and there is nothing more fun than being nibbled on by sacred deer in search of snacks - which you can buy all over the place for feeding them.  Getting back to Uji - the tea from this area is highly regarded and many of the cafes and restaurants offer food made with green tea. The tea itself makes a wonderful souvenier as do the gorgeously packaged Japanese traditional sweets. 

Just by the by...I'd love to see a train this clean in Australia.... or anywhere else for that matter

Byodoin temple - make sure you visit the newly built museum attached - its free and in a stunning building.

I loved watching this older gentleman folding crickets out of leaves. See below for a closer look. 

green tea soba and inverted inarizushi with matcha powder

beautifully packaged green tea sweets

local produce store - love this!

Rokkaku-do (temple) ろっかくど

If you are deep in the heart of Kyoto's CBD/shopping district and in need of 10 minutes light relief  - make a bee-line to Rokkaku-do (on Rokkaku dori -  just east of Karasuma and south of Sanjo).  The temple is situated on the very spot believed to be the birthplace of Ikebana. Rokkaku is named for the unusual shape of its hexagonal temple - Rokku meaning six. Its a small but cheery temple - with many jizou (childlike statues) dressed in colourful clothing and hats to keep the popular soul "guides" comfortable on their journeys flitting between earth and the spirit world. Swans and large koi (carp) float around together in a large pond and for some reason the place is always swarming with pigeons who scamper under the weeping willow tied with paper omukuji (prayers and wishes). My guess is that someone is feeding them!