Though I'm not the easiest person to persuade out of doors in the Winter, I do manage to go for runs in Arashiyama sometimes. Whenever I do, I am so grateful for it because I discover something new about the amazing area in which I live. Arashiyama is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Today I revisited Daikakuji Temple, which Paul and I discovered last week. This little treasure is going to be, I can tell, a very special place for me. Quite a ways off the beaten path, it has on its ground a lake populated with beautiful Koi and Banded Japanese Ducks. It has very few people touring it at any given time (okay, the two times I've been there) and that makes the whole experience truly serene. Arashiyama's main temple, Tenryuji, has beautiful scenery surrounding it as well as architecture, yet its popularity does cause a bit of a problem when it comes to enjoying the atmosphere. That is what makes Daikakuji truly valuable, as well as distant enough to constitute a decent run.
Having determined with little doubt that I am indeed sensitive to soy products, I have had the rather difficult task of learning how to cook without soy sauce or tofu. Soy sauce is the biggest obstacle for me, especially when eating out. It certainly does not help that I am crazy for the stuff and used to use it on many, many dishes. In addition to discovering some existing recipes I enjoy I have also created a few that are equally delicious. In any regular super market here in Kyoto - I have found I am able to easily make:
Japanese Curry (using a prepared spice which can be found in the spice section)
Spaghetti and meat sauce
Mexican fajita vegetables, lime rice, and guacamole (unfortunately without jalapenos)
Moo goo gai pan
Fried rice (without soy sauce it's a little less satisfying, but it is still delicious)
I know I will come up with plenty more dishes, but I think I have done well for under a month and a half of living here.
Pictures of the scenery and maybe even some food will be coming up in a later post!
