Our first destination today is Fushimi Inari. This is where the famous tori gate after tori gates line up the way leading to the temple up on the top. We encountered loads of Chinese tourists, big cameras, and selfie sticks. I bought a yakitori that costed ¥500 a skewer, and it was raw inside. We pointed it out to the seller, so he put the skewer back into the grill pan, recooking it. After a few minutes, he took it from the grill pan and double-dipped it into the teriyaki sauce! I was shocked. This was the first time we came across such unhygienic practice in Japan.
This is the yakitori stall we had bad experience with.
We then hurriedly went back to Kyoto station, did more omiyage shopping, reserved seats for train ride to Kinosaki, and participated in lucky draw in the station. Then mom, dad, and sis went shopping in Daiso, while me and Sanny went lunch box shopping in Isetan basement.
The 2,5 hrs train ride to Kinosaki departed at 1.25pm from Kyoto, so we had our lunch in the train. After lunch, it was just a perfect time for a nap.
For ¥5500, here was what we got:
On our arrival at Kinosaki station, we transferred to Morizuya, our ryokan for the night by shuttle bus. Mr. Hachi-san, whose family owned the ryokan greeted us with warm hospitality and showed us how to enjoy the stay. Female guests could pick a set of rental yukata from a wide range of selection.
Elaborate train set in yukata selection room in Morizuya
After changing into yukata, we explored local area while taking tons of photo.
Kinosaki town during dusk.
Banquet dinner was served 6.30pm sharp at a private dining area next to our room. It was a scrumptious meal with lots of crab cooked and prepared in many ways. There was wagyu beef plate, tempura with shio matcha, boiled crab, kaninabe (crab cooked in steamboat), sashimi, scallops in raw crab egg puree, egg gravy porridge, pumpkin cream covered in pastry, open sushi, and matcha mousse with red bean puree and orange pudding on the side. I was so full my tummy almost exploded. Our attendant, Ms. Miyako-san, kept saying “betsubara”. I finally worked out that it means “there is always room for dessert” or something along that line.
Kani kaiseki
After dinner, we hit the onsen bath. On Mr. Hachi-san’s recommendation, we visited Goshono-yu first. After bath, we were thirsty, but we carried no money with us, so we headed back to our ryokan to grab a quick drink and money before heading out again. This time it was Kouno-yu. The weather wasn’t freezing enough the onsen bath felt a bit too hot for my liking. In fact, this year was probably one of the warmest years. By the time we finished bath, I was all ready to hit the bed.
Good and relaxing day with rejuvenating bath. It was a recipe to healthy body and mind.