How I become a "Japanese Girl" for one day (Japan Trip - part 3)

Hey guys.. U still there? Phewww...

Sorry for not updating my blog for months. I've been back to Indonesia for good, after 3 years living in Singapore. I have to settle for my house, I didn't have wifi for few weeks, blablabla... So yeah, that's pretty much explain how I was busy settle for my new life, here.

But now I'm back, with much slower internet speed, but i will try to continue blogging, since now I'm working from my house, I should have more time to blog, yaay!

I have a lot to share with you, for example: how's life in Indonesia compared with Singapore, but let me finish with my Kyoto trip before I forget everything..

Just in case, if u've already forgotten how i look like

So, the third day is the day that I've been waiting for... The day I've booked for renting a Kimono!! I found this Kimono Rental shop from someone else's blog, here. The place is quite hidden, but very popular. http://okamoto-kimono.com/english/index.html That's the website. A lot of tourists and local Japanese came there. They have kimono not only for woman, but also for man and kids.

You can choose which package you want, the only difference is only the selection. The higher the package the prettier the kimono options. I choose the middle package (4000 jpy). And they also do the hair for you (500 jpy), only 3 models to choose though for the cheapest price: formal up do, messy style and side part (like what i chose). If you want more fanciful hairstyle like with french braid or something more complicated you have to pay more. Additional 1000 jpy if i'm not wrong. And dont forget that price haven't include the tax. The other details like how to go to the shop, you can read from the blog that I've mentioned. She already write it down super detail.

Actually the reason why I was really excited to rent this kimono is because I want to know how it feels wearing a kimono, they said it is a lot of layers of fabric. And it's true. If my mind still serve me right, there were one inner layer (after ur undies) then they will tie some towel around your waist, then another layer which the collar can be seen from the outside, then the kimono itself and don't forget the obi. It's felt a bit suffocating and you cannot walk like normal people, your steps will be very limited. Sadly i didn't take any photo on how's the process. I don't dare too because there are a lot of people inside the dressing room. After we finish with the dressing process, then they will do the hair and we can choose the hair piece, bag and the geta (japanese sandal). Don't worry about your clothes and belongings, they will put inside a bag with your name attach to it. Now you're ready to explore Kyoto as a fake Japanese girl. Please come back to the shop before 8pm to return the kimono and collect your things.

Me with the husband who regret not rented the kimono. He thought it's only for girls, later then he saw lots of guys also renting the kimono.

Because we have to come back to the Kimono Shop, we decided to explore nearby places: Kiyomizudera temple and Gion area. It was difficult to walk with the kimono, the kimono will automatically make your walk like a true Japanese lady.

We reached the Kiyomizudera a bit late, so it's already crowded with tourists. No entrance fee!

The main gate

The view should be better in fall, where all the leaves turn to orange.

We come for this scenery.

Sadly some part of the temple is still under maintenance.

Found a sakura tree! Must take photo

This is how's my hair & my obi looks like from behind.

Saw a monk too, look at his sandal. Really like in the movie.

Full body coordinate.

There is another "mini" temple not far from there, where we met a nice indonesian family who helped us take this picture.

And it's come for lunch time. Had difficult time to decide where to eat, so we just went to the most crowded restaurant. It was a soba restaurant managed by 3 aunties only. We have to wait for a while to get a table, but their service is really fast and efficient. Japanese, they are so hard working.

We both ordered the cheapest set meal. Cold soba with tempura.

I don't know how the Japanese people eat. There is noodle already but they still have rice?! And they all still slim...

Nice food. Happy me.

The soba was very nice, the texture is different with what I've eat in Singapore. The tempura also very light, you will forget if tempura is a deep fried food. So crunchy and not oily at all. Sorry i don't know what's the name of this place.

'

After we eat our lunch, we stumble upon a stall selling "Baked Dango". Of course I cannot resist...

And we continue our journey to explore Gion. Gion is a huge area apparently, lots of small alleys with Japanese traditional houses which mostly operate as shops. They sell any kind of souvenirs from Yukata, snacks, candies, toys, cake, stationery until caricatures. This is definitely tourists spots. You can spot a lot of tourists wearing kimono. You will feel like you're walking in a mini Japanese village. Gion is the place if you want to find a Maiko (Geisha apprentice) /Geisha. And I did find them!!

look at their kimono, super pretty....

But after we walk further, I found a shop which rent out Maiko's costume. I think those Maiko are fakes, they're just tourist who dress like Maiko. But better than nothing.

This is Gion. This is what I'm talking about. Old Japanese houses.

Found another sakura!!!

How pretty...

zoom in

more zoom in

There're several temple at Gion area. We didn't visit all of them. Because we still have to come back to the Kimono shop, remember? If you're tired of walking, you can ride a rickshaw which being pulled by a muscular Japanese guy.

like this

Of course it comes with a heavy price tag too. We didn't take the ride. We rather spend the money on this:

Sakura flavour ice cream!!! which taste a bit like coconut flavour, but more fragrant.

Pretty and expensive dessert, must take photo together.

This is another temple at Gion area.

I must lay down very low on the street only to take this photo.

Colorful charm

Another temple with a huge statue, but when we were there it already close.

This is a museum which already close too T_T

Some wishes & prayers I guess..

It was fun strolling around Gion. There's a Ghibli store also. I have no idea what Ghibli is. I didn't grow up with Ghibli anime, only Doraemon T_T.

This is another temple's gate.

Saw those cute dogs who stand on the second storey window of a house. How cute...

After that we go back to the Kimono shop to collect all my belongings. After that we're already so tired and only go around Kyoto Station to have Ramen dinner. I heard that Chabuton already open it's branch at Singapore. But their ramen is not that nice. Taste so-so only.

Ok, here's the end of my third post. I still have one more day at Kyoto and 5 days in Tokyo!!! Stay tune... See you around...