Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (北野天满寺), one of the most famous shrines in Osaka… if we were in the right season, we could have seen blossom plum trees! Too bad it’s Winter la.. Autumn would have been beautiful!! >_< There are flea markets on every 25th of the month.. selling plants, antiques, tools, toys and crafts and of course many food stands selling festival food such as yakisoba, karaage and takoyaki. Hours: 5:00 to 18:00 (April to September) 5:30 to 17:30 (October to March) Closed: No closing days Admission: Free Website: http://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/english
Some history here:
one of the most important of several hundred shrines across Japan, it stood in the second rank of government supported shrines. Dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician who was unfairly exiled by his political rivals. A number of disasters were attributed to Michizane’s vengeful spirit after his death in exile, and these shrines were built to appease him.
In 986, the scholar-bureaucrat was deified and the title of Tenjin (Heavenly Deity) was conferred, the kami (“Shinto god”) of education. Thus, Kitano Tenmangū is popular with students praying for success in exams because the deity was in his life a man of literature and knowledge. Consequently, it became especially crowded with students during exam times and school trip seasons.
Michizane loved plum trees, and one tree, called tobiume or flying plum tree, is said to have followed him from Kyoto to his exile in Kyushu. Because of this, a plum tree can always be found standing in front of the offering hall of Tenmangu shrines.
Ok, enough of history. Eh, who’s this handsome dude here? :p
Cold weather makes me happy!! Hehehe…
绘马 EMA
The other reason why I visit a shrine!
Unlike the other shrines where people write with markers, we write with brushes here! Perhaps it’s because the shrine is famous for students praying for good results in studies? So we had to write with brushes? Hehe.. anyway, oh man, it’s been years since I held a brush to write.. I so miss the feel of it.
We weren’t students anymore, and we are on our honeymoon, so, we wished for a blissful marriage!
Before we leave the shrine, we saw some babes in gorgeous kimonos! Look at the details and fabric, omg.. simply beautiful~~~~~~ red, pink and purple seems like a popular choice of color! And they also style their hair to suit their outfit…
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Dinnertime!! We decided to head back to the Kyoto station Ramen Alley for ramen! Hehehee… after walking rounds in the ramen alley, we decided on this stall. Too bad, I forgot the name of the stall! Hahaa.. only know it’s Fuji Mountain Ramen~~ :p
Hahahaa… don’t ask me what is Pail doing, I don’t know either, but I do know, he is very happy to be waiting for yummy ramen dinner!!
Gyoza is a must~order! Hahaha…
This is mine..
and Pail’s order..
Favorite sesame and seaweed over rice! Mmmmmmmmm…….. *drools*
After dinner, we strolled around nearby before heading back to hotel… I seldom take night shots, but I thought I ought to shoot a picture of Kyoto Tower at night la.. no, we are not staying in Kyoto Hotel. Heehee..
Bedtime! Good Night! Another longggg day in Kyoto next day…
…休息是为了走更长的路. 😀