Two days after my first visit (Post here) I made a return trip to Uji to explore more. This time, I took the Nara Line from Kyoto Station to JR Uji Station. (Note : Uji is also served by Keihan Line, which I had taken on my previous trip. Between the 2, I found JR more convenient, just a 16-30 minute ride from Kyoto station)
Once I arrived, I picked up a map from the tourist center just outside the station. From there, most key attractions are a short walk away - Uji Bridge, Byodoin Temple, and Byodo-in Omotesando, a charming little street lined with restaurants and shops.
After enjoying some matcha snacks of gyoza, takoyaki and a cold drink, I headed to the path near the Murasaki Shikibu statue for a walk by the river. The cool spring weather was so delightful, I ended walking more than I planned. Soon, I was making my way up Daikichiyama observation deck , which offers a nice view of the city and the area around Byodo-in Temple.
The hike is a 20-minute blissful pace under a canopy of trees. The trail is paved, with only one way up. I cannot imagine anyone getting lost. Being a weekday, I was in the company of school kids and teen couples - some even holding hands while walking - that kind of trail.
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| view from the observation deck at Mt. Daikichiyama, Uji |
I continued making my way up to its summit, just 10 minutes away. Though a short one, it's steep enough to make me feel out of breath with the stairs.
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| summit marker of Mt. Butoku at 131.5 MASL (Note : Translated using GoogleTranslate) |
In that quiet moment alone, I realized that the effort and the peace of having a place all to yourself, is more rewarding than the view.