Japan Day-3

Second day in Kyoto was all about Arashiyama, a district in western outskirt of Kyoto. Depending of were you want to visit, you need at least half day to spend here. But hey, it was all worth it! We took JR train from Kyoto station to Arashiyama station. The train ride was around 25-30 mins. From the station, there wasn't really any sign board that show where we should be heading. We just keep walking and praying that we are in the right direction towards Tenryuji Temple. We passed by small shops, which were still closed at that point of time.

 Arashiyama small shops. Oh so cute.

It was about 10mins walk from the station went we found the temple. Tenryuji temple compound is large. It has it's own garden like the other temple in Japan but the Tenryuji garden is said to be still in its original formation, created during Meiji period.

Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji Temple Garden

Just beside the temple, is the Bamboo Grove. This is one of the must-go place in my list and the main point of heading to Arashiyama. This place is so beautiful which my photo do not do justice to it. It's weird how such an ordinary thing, like a bamboo can make such a different feeling.

After Bamboo Grove, we then proceed to Togetsukyo Bridge. The bridge is Arashiyama iconic trademark. It was built during Heian period. 

From the bridge, we lingers around the park beside the river bank for a while. It was quite a tiring day and my feet hurt really badly. Afterwards, we went back towards the Bamboo Grove to Torokko Saga station to catch the Segano Scenic Train which also known as romantic train. The train ride was about 25mins with open window and cost 620yen, one way. We stop at Kamaeko station. Walked for about 7mins to Umahori station to go back to Kyoto.

Upon back to Kyoto, we purchased 1 day bus pass (which I regretted not buying before going to Arashiyama as the area is inclusive in the day pass). Anyway, from Kyoto Station, we took a bus to Fushimi Inari Shrine. This shrine is the most beautiful amongst all. I was almost 3pm when we arrived as the bus towards this shrine only available once in every hour.

To reach the peak, you need to climb a whole lots of stairs. As we came quite late, it was almost dark when we decided to turn back. Beside, we are too tired to continue for the hike. We bought Toriyaki as our lunch before we went back to Kyoto Station and had our lunch there. Afterwards was Gion. Main objective was to catch a glimpse of Geisha. But unfortunately, we didn't find any. 

We went back to our hostel thereafter.

Japan Day-2

After 8 hours bus ride from Tokyo, we arrived in Kyoto around 7am. Fortunately for us, we slept the whole way! I guess our first day "activities" has taken a toll on us. We stayed at Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto. The hostel cost around RM80 per night for 6 beds female dorm. We did lost of way trying to find the hostel at first at our bus stop not exactly at Kyoto Station. It was a few metres away, at Hotel Centnovum. The map that i printed from google map was useless. 

We walked for about 15mins via this road when realised this was a wrong way.

Luckily, this Kyoto Tower was a mark that we went to the right direction.

We then decided to turned back and follow the opposite direction. We found Kyoto Station at last! From there, it was easy peasy. But the thing was, the hostel location wasn't really that close with Kyoto station. We walked for around 20mins from Kyoto Station until we arrived at the hostel.

The hostel check-in time is at 3pm so as we arrived very early, we took our shower at the common room (which was the best shower room in the hostel) and ate our breakfast there. Rest for a while then we are off to Kyoto Station where we would start our tour of the day. We purchased 1 day bus pass - I would really recumbent the bus pass in Kyoto as the bus stops at all the tourist attractions in the city. You don't really need to ride subway or JR line. The bus pass cost us ¥500 and it was really a bargain as the bus has a flat rate of ¥230 per location. Our first stop in Kyoto was Kiyomizudera Temple. 

Kiyomizudera Temple

Just opposite the temple is Koyasu Pagoda.

From here, we continue our walk towards the old streets between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine. Here you can find all the souvenirs shops, mainly selling Japanese sweets which I love so much. It's so yummy. 

Yasaka shrine is located in Gion district. We lingers for quite a while here, mostly sitting on the stairway. Too tired. This was where we met an old uncle. He sat beside me to rest, chatted with me for a while with his thick Japanese accent and out of nowhere, he read my palm! He said I have a good life, high intellect, very sentimental.. yada yada yada. I'm not making this thing up okay. He also added that I'm very strong, stronger than men. Haha. Take that men! Sadly, he need to go. I wish his english is better or that I can speak Japanese. 

After Yasaka Shrine, we went towards Gingakuji Temple. This temple has the most amazing garden I have ever seen. I loves all the trees and even the grass! Before the temple, we passed by Tetsugaku no michi, a small pathway by which the temple is located right at the end of the pathway.

That was a sweet wrap for our 1st day in Kyoto. 

I'm now done with my trip to Japan and China. Heaven & hell. 

Japan. What can I say. It's probably would be the same as what everyone would say. It's so easy to fall in love with and gets addicted to this country. Even when you're not there. 

My trip to Japan was first unplanned. I bought the ticket when AirAsia & Maxis offered me the price I can't resist. RM600+ return air ticket. So without even thinking, I bought it. At first, I planned to travel on my own, then my niece asked if she can tag along. So, she tagged along. That was last year.

I didn't plan anything until at the very last minute. I booked transportation & accommodation on the last week of our departure. Luckily, I managed to complete my so-called itinerary. Unfortunately, I lost my itinerary on our second day in Japan. Instinct come into place for the rest of the six days. 

We arrived at Haneda International Airport around 10.30PM and the plan was to sleep at the airport. On the airport's chairs. The are quite a lot of foreigners doing the exact same thing. The first thing I notice during our overnight stay at the airport, people leaves their handphones at the charging area. That was the first indication of how safe Japan are. 

The chair is actually quite comfortable for sleeping. It didn't have any handles in between that the usual airport's chair has. 

I can really sleep due to my uncomfortable attire. Should have wore something comfortable. At around 6am, we went to the shower room, paid ¥1,030 for 30mins shower. The shower room was super comfy and nice. I don't mind spending equivalent to RM30 for a 30mins shower here.

At the tourist information centre, we purchased a 1 day subway pass that cost us ¥800. As 1 way trip for metro would easily cost ¥200, so the 1 day pass is a bargain, if you intend to stop at multiple locations, like what we did. But first, we need to go to central Tokyo where the day pass is not acceptable for Keikyu Railways, it cost us separately around ¥400. Our first stop was Tokyo station to store our luggage. Actually, most if not all the station have coin locker, not necessarily Tokyo station. Our first stop was Tsukiji Fish Market. The plan was to have our breakfast there but unfortunately the market was closed on that day. Too bad. 

There were a few shops opened along the way towards Tsukiji market.

We then went towards Tokyo Tower. But first, we stop at Zojoji Temple. If you watched The Wolverine, one location in the movie is this temple, for the funeral scene. 

Another 10mins walk from the temple, is Tokyo Tower. We didn't go to the observatory deck. I personally think it's such a waste to pay a fee to go up there.

We then went to Sengakuji Temple. This was where the filmed the 47 Ronin movie with Keanu Reaves. I didn't watched the movie but my niece wanted to come here, so, we were there. There wasn't really much tourist around that area.

From here, we went to Roppongi Hill, with the main objective to find Hard Rock cafe, as I am a collector of hard rock t-shirt. For the rest of the day, we just linger around Roppongi area, had our lunch and went to Roppongi Hill shopping mall. There was nothing much here. But i liked the ambience. Almost evening, we proceed to take our luggage at Tokyo Station and went to Shinjuku station where the terminal bus is located. We waited until 11:45pm for our bus to Kyoto. 8 hours bus ride.

So, that was our first day in Japan. 

 - Paid)