Today we planned to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, then go on down to Nishiki market for food before moving on to Nijo Castle for its squeaky floor tiles. I was looking forward to visiting the Fushimi Inari Shrine since my last visit in 2016 and excited to experience the 'squeaky' tiles at Nijo Castle.
Because we reached Ichijoji when it was dark, we didn't manage to check out the surroundings much. The place looks different in the day time!
I was also pleasantly surprised to see super pretty wall murals on the way out.
Grabbed the bus to the shrine, and loved how the bus seats faced the window! Very space saving also.
Along the way to the shrine, there were lots of little shops and we got something from Marumochi-ya, cos the way those things are bouncing around are just too cute
 |
| And the rice cracker shop near the entrance of the shrine |
 |
| Looks Yums! |
 |
| Tako! |
 |
| ^^ |
 |
| Crowdedness |
 |
| Crowdedness Part 2 |
I love the Fushimi Inari shrine, for the tori gates, the potential hiking behind the shrine, how it links to residential areas and how it just has this serene vibe minus the multitudes of people. The best time to come is really the early morning 7am or so, and then get out just when the street shops open and the touring crowds roll in.
Anyway, we got started on the torii gates and there is just something about them that makes you want to keep on capturing shots to keep in your phone memory forever. I must have taken a gadzillion jump shots and made YK do so too
As you can see, we aren't really pro-photographers. But we definitely had fun hehe!
 |
| Thank you! |
Since today's itinerary is quite packed, we made a move after 2 hours or so of jumping (LOL). On the way out, we had to pass by the sinful stalls again..
 |
| OMG it freshly baked |
 |
| Fried Chicken anytime! |
 |
| Just got to have this really.. |
 |
| Looked a little bit better than it tastes |
 |
| Quite an innovative and functional way to drain the oil and waste. I cut the waste n oil out because I don't need to retain that in my memories LOL. |
 |
| Classic river view |
 |
| Seems like these trucks are rushing somewhere |
 |
| Here also |
 |
| Nishiki Market! |
 |
| Tried this, It was salty but refreshing |
|
|
| I love this sabazushi; mackerel pickled with vinegar |
 |
| This inari sushi was ammmmmaazzzzing |
 |
| Always amazed by the alcohol prices in Japan |
 |
| Here too |
Nishiki market wasn't very big so we finished walking around pretty quickly and made our way to Nijo Castle. We couldn't take pictures within the castle so here are some pictures around the castle grounds.
 |
| If you were wondering what's the point of this photo... |
 |
| It's this fairy |
 |
| Fairy Part 2 |
In any case, it was fun hehe.
 |
| Unexpected pink-ness amidst the greenery on the way out of the castle |
Its time for dinner!! I was thinking that we could get into Kichi Kichi Omurice; this viral fluffy omurice shop as walk-ins for dinner, so we made our way back to the Kawaramachi area. Along the way, saw these really cute wall murals, and just had to capture these.
Kichi Kichi Omurice is nearby Kiyamachi-Dori, a street that runs alongside Takase River. We took a walk down the street, it's beautiful.
Came across Chao Chao gyoza. We didn't know it then, but apparently its a really well known gyoza place that serves great gyoza. Have to try it if I ever return.
Found Kichi Kichi Omurice, but.... no walk ins allowed.... sadness.. we had to give up the omurice for source for an alternate dinner place.
Side track abit, doesn't this stall look really cute and whimsical?
OK back to main topic, we walked around quite abit but just didn't manage to settle on a good spot for dinner. And eventually I kind of made the decision to enter this restaurant (bar).
It was really quite intimidating. As the name goes, its a bar and smoking was allowed within the establishment; there was no English menu and the staff had to try their best to entertain us. I could sense that YK was exuding the 'whyyy did we come here....' vibe.
After some gesturing and explanation by the very kind staff, we decided on something hot and soupy each. It was great having a umeshu after settling down, really.
I got this side dish, loved it
And when this arrived, it looked like a saviour. We were bowled over by the presentation of the food and the taste totally exceeded our expectations. After a long while of walking around, and feeling awkward outside our comfort zone, the food here really made our day. >.< Happy.
 |
| Parting shot from the cashier |
And.. to end a great meal.... gyozas... from Oshoo againnnnnn!!
Cannot forget dessert.. hehe..
