After a rather wet afternoon exploring Southern Higashiyama I headed towards the city centre to find the guest house I would be staying in that night. To be perfectly honest I don’t usually like hostels but this particular place got excellent reviews and considering how expensive hotels are in Japan it seemed like a good option.
![Sanjo Covered Market](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/5110728287_981f948c70_b.jpg)
Situated a short walk from Nijo Station and Sanjokai Market (above), Kyoto Guesthouse Roujiya was opened in early 2010 and is tucked away down a quiet side street in a local neighbourhood. The renovated house perfectly blends tradition with modern conveniences and was spotlessly clean (I forgot to take photos but you can see some here). The hosts/owners were extremely accommodating and I thoroughly enjoyed staying here – it should really be classed as a “boutique hostel”.
![](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/5110732339_055d5f64a3_b.jpg)
After checking in I went out to find some dinner in the downtown area which was very busy considering it was a Sunday evening. While wandering through the streets I noticed some brightly lit paper lanterns hanging between two buildings and discovered a wonderful small shrine.
![Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/5110733201_2ee6e47243_b.jpg)
Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine (錦天満宮) is apparently dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of scholarship and good business, where students go to pray for good results.
![Purification](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/5110734069_103853a1fa_b.jpg)
As with most shrines, you’ll find a station for purifying yourself with water which comes from a natural well 300 meters deep.
![Purification Instructions](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/5110738037_3bac63617d_b.jpg)
There was a cute instruction guide as to how you should do it – first wash your mouth, then clean your hands.
![Water Purification](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/5110734893_395306a203_b.jpg)
There is a great sense of safety in Japan – in China or the UK someone would have undoubtedly run off with these if they had been left unsecured like this. Here people really show a lot of respect for the local environment and keep everything in nice condition.
![Red Spots](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/5111338832_0efe355657_b.jpg)
Although simple, the glowing lanterns were exceptionally beautiful in my eyes and I took lots of photos. On many of them, I noticed this symbol of six red circles – I wonder what it means?
![](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/5111337734_e9cffa598f_b.jpg)
If you’re looking for the shrine it can be found on Nishiki-dori street, close to Teramachi-dori street and ShinKyougoku-dori street. There are many small shops and restaurants nearby in the covered market and a great place to visit if it’s wet outside.
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