ArrivalI flew out on Sunday and it was very easy and stress free. The curse of the long name kicked in and I had to check in in person but that was fine. I foolishly got on the Airport railroad instead of the subway so paid extra for the express but hey I got there in plenty of time to check in and go through security. Jeju Air had been great at keeping me up to date with the delay and made sure I knew how to get to my gate (I had to catch a train to get to the 'Concourse'). Once we arrived in Osaka Kansai airport everyone got off row by row which was nicer then the usual scramble to get off a short haul flight in Europe! The QR code from Visit Japan made the whole immigration and customs part easy and signposting to the free shuttle bus to the train station in Terminal 1 was great!
I got my cash out from a ATM in a convenience store in the Terminal and headed to the train station to get travel card and the express train to Kyoto. I had really tried to find a Japan friendly payment card but apparently it is still a cash friendly country so I decided to be 'touristy' and just get cash when I arrived thanks to Hana Bank credit card's low exchange rate.
Japanese bank notes (I am forgot how annoying coins are - I need to get rid of mine before I go!)
It was at the train station I had issues! I found the travel card machines and got one quickly but after paying for it I realised I needed to make sure I had enough for the express train not just for travel around Kyoto. So I tried to add more money to it only for the machine to break! Luckily a little window next to the machine popped open and a nice English speaking employee explained he would sort it out and give me my money back which he did. I went to another machine and decide to put slight less money on, not just because the other machine broke but I thought I can add more if I need to later. This was a good idea because after missing the train and having to wait 40 minutes (now 9:25pm) I got on the train only to discover that you need an express ticket in addition to having a travel card! I paid on the train without an issue and the conductor had change which was lucky! As you can see I was on the Hello Kitty express train which was cute but as I was in an unreserved seat I only got the cutely designed carriage.
I arrived at Kyoto station with no issues and the Subway line I needed was directly sign posted from the platform and the journey was very short (I am in Downtown) and while I did have to carry my luggage up a flight of stairs it was the only time I had to.
My Hotel is very pretty but, I have often heard people say Korea makes people feel single but this is what I found in my room:
There are two of everything. I remember that the check in clerk queried that I had booked a double which now makes sense!
It was now 11pm so I was ready for bed!
Day 1
I decided to go out to the furthest place I wanted to see so that if I needed to, I could stay closer to the centre later. So I headed to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. But first I had to stop here for Breakfast:
I then jumped on the
Randen tram to get to Arashiyama. Trams use to be all over Kyoto until they were replaced with the subway system and they are very cute.
One of my favourite things to do when I travel to check out the suburbs of a place to see how people really live. Arashiyama and the North West area is really lovely. A complimentary blend of old and new, little bars, cafes and shops. I liked that there where houses, old and new as well as apartments luxury and affordable. It seems like a lovely balance that would allow people to work and live with everything they needed nearby.
The Bamboo forest itself was lovely. The quiet, even as busy as it was, which says how magical the place is.
Before that I went to Tenryu-ji temple which had a lovely garden and seemed to have this figure throughout:
Not sure what his problem is...
It was very nice but the weather was so hot that there were no flowers.
Then I took the tram and changed to the Kitano line so I could go to Kinkaku-ji Temple. I Jumped on a bus from the tram terminal to the temple as it was pretty hot and I had more walking to do and plenty of money on my travel card!
Kinkaku-ji temple has the famous golden pavilion and a tea house in the former home of a famous Japanese actor.
Two shots of the Golden pavilion and sweet and matcha tea I was served in the tea house.
I then went for a walk through the Kamigyo Ward to find a tattoo friendly Onsen. Again it was really nice to see the blend of old and new.
I was a bit early but found this super cute
Senchan cafe run by a lovely old couple nearby. I had this Senchan parfait and a lovely ginger ale.
I then went to an
Onsen which was great! Very freeing to be naked and I got a towel to take home! However it was a bit hot for me and a got a raging sinus headache ( I assume the tail end of my cold had kicked in) so had to struggle back to the nearest Subway stop and then to the hotel to lie down!
I eventually stumbled out to get Ramen from a local place called
Mensho Takamatsu Shijo Shop . It was abit salty for me but I did start to feel better.
I checked out some stores on my way home and then settled into my bed (why is it always tucked in like I am not supposed to move??? or if you untuck it, it pulls off the bottom sheet too??)
Comments
Post a Comment