Hello again blog friends! It's the last day of the year and I told myself I just have to publish one post before this year ends. This article is long overdue, I know, sorry. Huhu. To be completely honest, writing a detailed travel guide could really be time consuming so it sometimes end up sitting in my drafts folder especially when I get distracted with other important matters. I was more active on social media these past months, but for the next year/decade, I promise I will work on more articles and also more videos!!!
So anyway sa mga matagal ng nagaabang (sorry na talaga hehe), here's the continuation of my 10-day DIY Japan adventure last July! Finally. Haha. I've already shared with you our itinerary, tips and budget for Nagoya, so now we move on to my favorite city in Japan --- KYOTO!!! Read on to know all the reasons why...
As I mentioned in my first post, Nico and I rode a bus from Nagoya to Kyoto. Travel time was just 2-3 hours and I just slept the whole way! We were dropped off in front of Kyoto Station. After a quick dinner in an udon resto inside the station, we boarded the train going to Tambaguchi station where our hostel is located...
This triple room has 1 single bed and 2 futon beds. I think kasha kahit 6 people dito! Malaki sha. We had enough room for our things and kalats hehe. No private bathroom inside the room but their shared bathrooms are clean and well kept. Wala din naman traffic sa banyo 'coz they have a few per floor.
We had a lot on our itinerary but we just took our time coz we didn't want to rush and feel pressured. We just wanted to enjoy our time there. On our first day in Kyoto, we first visited Fushimi Inari Shrine and then Gion!
When we got to Tambaguchi station I discovered that I lost my card wallet (I have 2 wallets-- one containing cash and the other my cards) which contained all my ATM and credit cards. I think I lost it in Nagoya so it was impossible na to get it back. If we were still there I'm certain I'd be able to retrieve it pa. Anyway since it's Japan, I didn't worry that much. I cancelled all my cards when I got back in Manila. Hehe. Okay naman.
Fushimi Inari is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.
Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Inari was also seen as the patron of business, and each of the torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha was/is donated by a Japanese businesses or companies.
"Gion is known as Kyoto’s most famous geisha district. Packed with bars, restaurants and traditional teahouses, Gion is at its most atmospheric in the early evening, when the lanterns are lit and apprentice geisha will flit about the back streets on their way to their appointments." (source: https://www.insidekyoto.com/walking-in-gion)
"Jizo is a kind of Buddhist guardian saint, or bodhisattva, and his statue, typically a small friendly looking monkish figure with a red bib, is seen in temples and on roadsides all over Japan. The Jizo enshrined at Chugen-ji Temple however, also doubles up as a legendary super-hero and faith healer."
"Kenninji was founded by Eisai (also known as Yosai), the Buddhist monk who introduced both Zen Buddhism and tea cultivation to Japan upon returning from study trips to China. The temple was constructed in 1202 and is considered to be the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto."
"Shirakawa Dori is a short walk either from the Keihan Railways Sanjo or Shijo Stations. On both sides of the street, there are beautiful wooden restaurants and inns. Shirakawa street is also lined with willow trees, which are allowed to grow out. This too is unusual. In Kyoto, trees unlucky to be planted along streets are brutally pruned back to the nub twice a year. Here however the willows hang gracefully over the river and cobblestones. Most of the buildings have been preserved, giving a timeless feel to the area."
So this is the end of Kyoto Part 1! Mejo madami kasing photos and ganaps so I decided to divide it in 2 parts. Will work on Part 2 asap! Promise d na aabutin ng 2 months before I publish my next post. Haha. Hope this helps sa mga magja-Japan soon! Happy travels and Happy New Year everyone!!! Love you all, as always. :)
So anyway sa mga matagal ng nagaabang (sorry na talaga hehe), here's the continuation of my 10-day DIY Japan adventure last July! Finally. Haha. I've already shared with you our itinerary, tips and budget for Nagoya, so now we move on to my favorite city in Japan --- KYOTO!!! Read on to know all the reasons why...
As I mentioned in my first post, Nico and I rode a bus from Nagoya to Kyoto. Travel time was just 2-3 hours and I just slept the whole way! We were dropped off in front of Kyoto Station. After a quick dinner in an udon resto inside the station, we boarded the train going to Tambaguchi station where our hostel is located...
We were dropped off across Kyoto Station
Pay and order first at this vending machine outside! Naaliw si Nico hehe
Hand over your order to Kuya
I had cold soba and rice wrapped in egg but mejo sweet sha. I thought it has meat though. Carbs overload haha.
Nico had udon + chicken fillet with rice. Cost breakdown at the end of this post!
We took the Sagano Line to Tambaguchi
From Tambaguchi Station, we walked for about 5 minutes before reaching our home for 3 nights-- GARAKU Guest Inn Kyoto!
Photo taken on Day 2 hehe. Just wanted to show you the facade! Launched in 2017, the hostel is fairly new. :)
Checking-in!
Guests are required to remove their shoes and use house slippers
Let me show you our room located on the 2nd floor...
I love how this hostel has an elevator!
Nico took care of all our hostel/hotel bookings for this trip!
He booked this Standard Triple Room for P2,600 a night!!!
This triple room has 1 single bed and 2 futon beds. I think kasha kahit 6 people dito! Malaki sha. We had enough room for our things and kalats hehe. No private bathroom inside the room but their shared bathrooms are clean and well kept. Wala din naman traffic sa banyo 'coz they have a few per floor.
My favorite area inside the hostel! They have foot massagers that are just perfect after a full day of walking.
Common area
Shempre avail
Kitchen
Washing machines and dryers are also available
Bathroom on the 1st floor
Book a room here:
We had a lot on our itinerary but we just took our time coz we didn't want to rush and feel pressured. We just wanted to enjoy our time there. On our first day in Kyoto, we first visited Fushimi Inari Shrine and then Gion!
Still smiling even after losing all my cards hehe
Train fare was 200 yen to Fushimi Inari station
OOTD muna while waiting for the train! Vest dress from SM WOMAN, Sneakers: Converse
From Tambaguchi, we got off at Kyoto Station and rode the Nara line going to Fushimi-Inari Station
Train going to Fushimi Inari
Fushimi Inari main entrance!
Init bes?
Cute souvenirs!
Hindi ako to!
We entered Fushimi Inari via the side entrance so we passed by this food bazaar...
Wagyu beef on sticks!
Sherep
Grilled corn
Fresh orange juice
Fried tofu!
Tofu steak!
Takoyaki!
We tried the low grade beef on a stick (500 yen) and fried tofu (400 yen). Sarap!
Serving was big enough for the 2 of us
Mochi balls
Side entrance
Tinry ko inumin but d ko kaya hahaha
Fushimi Inari is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.
Ring these bells and say a silent prayer
Torii gates entrance
End of the mini torii gates hehe
Fox statues and shrines can be seen all over
Map! Malaki shaaa
Had to wait for a bit for the crowd to disperse hehe
Restaurant and tea house we saw while trekking
View! We were supposed to climb to the top of Mt. Inari but we were so thirsty and hungry na so decided to just stop here.
There are small temples inside
Will try this next time!
Loving quiet corners
Bili muna ng drinks
Cute ng Coke hehe
Busy street
Keihan Railway Fushimi-Inri Station (iba pa to sa JR NARA line)
After visiting Fushimi-Inari, we then headed to one of my favorite places in Kyoto--GION!!!
"Gion is known as Kyoto’s most famous geisha district. Packed with bars, restaurants and traditional teahouses, Gion is at its most atmospheric in the early evening, when the lanterns are lit and apprentice geisha will flit about the back streets on their way to their appointments." (source: https://www.insidekyoto.com/walking-in-gion)
Meyami Jizo Temple
Love this area!
Had fun exploring the alleys
Old Japan vibes
Visited Gion Corner to check out which time the show starts
This is where Ana, Sarah and I watched an amazing show (with maikos dancing) last 2016! Read my blog post here:
Outside, there were lots of policemen manning the street. Taga patabi sila ng pedestrians hehe.
It was almost sunset so the main temple was closed na but we still visited Kenninji Temple
Closed na so sa labas nalang nagpicture
"Kenninji consists of several large halls and gates with about two dozen smaller buildings arranged around them. Most of the grounds are freely open to the public; however, visitors must pay an entrance fee to enter the main buildings at the complex' center. Once inside the paid grounds, visitors can explore the interiors of the main buildings and enjoy a variety of gravel and moss gardens."
Temple map! Anlawak din niya so go early!
600 yen entrance fee you need to pay if you'll go inside the temples.
How to get there:
Ride a train going to Gion Shijo Station or Kawaramachi Station and head to Hanamikoji Street. The temple is located at the southern end of the street. In short, sa dulong dulo! Hehe.
Hello!
Come sunset, the crowd thickens. Mostly tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of Geishas and Maikos heading to work!
The famous Hanamikoji Street
Our random stroll led us to SHIRAKAWA DORI!
Shirakawa Waterway
Such a cool ride!
Random shot while we were crossing the street. So beautiful.
Time to spot some Geishas!
San punta bes?
Spotted this Maiko on our way back to the main street! Sneaky shot lang.
Mejo uminit ulo ko sa mga disrespectful tourists! You should never take photos of geishas or maikos like what these 2 ladies did. They're actually very shy and one should not invade their personal space as a sign of respect. Ako I took this photo from afar naka zoom lng hehe.
I was far away from her. Zinoom ko nalang.
For dinner, we decided to eat in this local resto near Tully's coffee shop. Don't know the name though coz it's in Japanese.
Basta ito sha. Hehe.
Menu!
Sobrang oppa ng nagseserve! Mahal ko na sha. Haha!
Soyramen, Gyoza and Rice set for 1,200 yen
Nico and I decided to ride the bus home. Ayun yung bus stop sa lower right of the photo. Hehe.
Bus stop is closer to our accommodation kaya we took the bus! Fare is 230 yen each.
BUDGET per person in PHP:
New Airfare = P12,000 (dapat P4k lang the original)
Airport tax = P1,620
Reli visa = P900
________________________________
TOTAL = P 14,520
Nagoya Budget for 2 days in Yen (per person):
Silk Tree Hotel (2 nights)= 5890 per person
Train from airport to Nagoya = 870
Family Mart breakfast = 480
7-11 lunch = 400
Osu dinner = 2000
Train fares = 600
Day 2 Matsuya breakfast = 400
Locker = 700 / 2 = 350
Nagoya Castle entrance = 500
Nagoya sightseeing bus = 210
Toyota Museum admission = 500
Trains = 400
Convenience store late lunch = 450
Miscellaneous = 300
Bus to Kyoto (via Japanbusonline) = 2,550
_______________________________
TOTAL = 15,900 yen or P7,800
Kyoto Budget Day 1 & 2 in Yen (per person)
Garaku hostel 4 nights - 16,100 yen / 2 = 8,050
Dinner at Kyoto station - 590
Train fare from Kyoto to Tambaguchi sttion - 150
Convenience store buys (1st night) - 1,000
Tambaguchi to Inari Station - 200
Snacks and drinks at Inari - 700
Train fare from Inari to Gion - 210
Dinner at a Ramen resto - 1,000
Bus fare from Gion to a street eat our hostel - 230
Convenience store buys (2nd night)- 700
_________________________________
TOTAL = 12,830 yen or P5,988
Link to all my Japan posts:
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