Kurama

I think I have found the best way to wake up. Coffee ? Hot shower ?  Mmmh … not quite. I have heard about a place called Taiko Drum. This is a facility where you can experience traditional drums. I had to try this. Lesson at 9:30am. Let’s make some noise !

Our instructor for the class. This is the most energetic things I have done in the morning since a long time. The class lasted one hours and was composed of rhythm games . Basically the teacher was showing us a set of rhythm that we had to copy right afterward.  I have to say this was really fun. It felt like a therapy where you realease all your frustation or anger. Just hit thoses drums !

Yeah ! Man this morning lesson was intense. I didnt expected to sweat from that class.
It was time to cool down and to go to my next adventure of the day. The nearby village of Kurama.
But first , a fresh bicycle ride along the main river.
A perfect day to enjoy bicycle. This is the main river in Kyoto. Bicyles use it as a sort of “highway”. You can go pretty much from south to north by using it. Very conveniant. I used it to reach my train station. On the way you could see little bubbles of life. Kids playing , student learning how to dance , playing baseball …

I love bicyle , you can really get a good idea of a place just by cruising around. You can see more than just walking and you can always stop to enjoy a place.

Finally I reached the station to take the Eizan line direction Kurama.
Kurama is a small village just outside of Kyoto. It had the reputation of having a very peacefull atmosphere and a great little hike between two villages. But before let’s take that train.

It was a scenic ride. The train got deeper and deeper into the valley. At the end we were surrounded by forests. It lasted 30min and costed 420 yen (3 euro). I was impressed to see so many broken trees along the way. The recent thyphon that striked Japan seemed really powerfull.

For the first time in 10 days I was going to a rural place. Exciting 🙂

And directly a big change. All quiet and easy. Nice to be in the Japanese countryside.

Before going on that hike let’s have a lunch at “Yoshuiji”. A traditional Buddhist type restaurant. It was all vegan and also quite nice. In Japan you will call this food “Shojin ryori“. In Kyoto there is a lot of theses places. The restaurant was authenthic and had a laid back vibe. You can feel that we are not longer in a busy town.

Time to hike a bit. This is the main entrance of the hike. This is supposed to link Kurama to Kibune.A very beautiful place with old trees , shrines , temples … It all felt mystical. For some reason the word “mystical” make a lot of sense here. All theses temple hidden in remote places creates a special vibe.

After 5 min uphill we couldn’t go up anymore. The recent Typhon has damaged some part of the trail so for security reasons the path was blocked. What a shame I really wanted to hike today but this is what it is. Nature rules. It was actually a good reminder to how strong nature can be.

So I decided to go down a little to take the cable car. Apparently you could access a high temple and this was not blocked. I’m glad I took this cable car.

You could see some temples and a great view of the valley. This place was cool. If you feel like being away from the busy town this is a perfect daytrip. Slow down and breath that fresh air.

Look , i’m not lying about the typhon. Some structures have been damaged but hopefully not many.

I came back to Kurama village afterward. I heard that they were an Onsen in the village. For thoses that wonder an Onsen is a typical japanese hot spring. This is very popular in Japan. I was dreaming about Onsen back home so I thought I have to try it now. This place felt really good to me.

There we are. So before we get in , a few rules. No clooth inside. You have to be naked yes. No mixt bath in this Onsen either so dont go in the wrong space. Lastly before going in the Onsen you have to wash properly (which you will find inside).

The Onsen had indoor and outdoor baths. I went for the outdoor one. It was a fantastic experience. Every one naked , in that hot natural water surrounded by a forest. The sun was setting down which gave good colors. Being naked with strangers felt interesting. In that state you go back to your primitive form. Back to the essence. Enjoying the simplicity and the goodness of Nature. This experience felt pure. People are relaxed and simply talk about life. This is a must do in Japan. Kyushu Island in the South have the reputation to have the best Onsens but you will find them pretty much everywhere in Japan. For a first timer I was happy with “Kurama Onsen”. This will cost you 1000 yen (8 euro). You can stay as long as you want 🙂 But I had to go , a place was waiting for me.

Back to Kyoto. I’m ready for a culinary experience.

This is the discreet entrance of the “Tousuiro Gion”. I did’nt had expectations before going inside. I knew it was a fine dining. I booked the day before for a vegetarian set. The Shojin ryori or buddhist cuisine.

Chef Yoshida will take care of us tonight.
The place felt cosy and very elegant. All in a traditional style.
The menu I booked was composed of many small dishs. Like in a gastronomic restaurant. Are you ready for a food marathon ?
The first thing I noticed is the quality if the wooden sticks. This was nothing like I have seen before. There were light and felt organic. Like they have been cut from the tree the same day. Okay this place is different. I’m getting really curious. Let’s eat.

Many delicacy on the menu. I discovered new flavors and textures tonight. The menu was orientated around Tofu (it was a vegetarian set). I have never eated so many different type of Tofu. The base was always the same but the way it was cooked and the ingredients used make it unique each time. I didnt expected so much versatility in Tofu. This place wasn’t just a dinning , it was a journey.

And to end this journey a cup of tea. This tasted very light. Maybe some sort of green tea.

Itadakimasu !
The place felt elegant yet decontracted at the same time. Nothing too rigid / posh.
The bills at the end was salty though. Count 6400 yen for a veggie set. 50 euro for a dinner is very expensive. It’s not the type of place you’ll go often. But If you love gastronomy , this experience will fulfill your tastebuds and your eyes. This felt more like a journey than a simple dining.

This was a healthy day. From morning druming to pristine nature to relaxing Onsen to then close the day with a culinary experience. In Japan you can indulge. Indulge life in a healthy way. I’m now ready to sleep and indulge that futon.

Goodbye my friends.

Train
Densha でんしゃ