Kyoto/Osaka 2017 Day 3 & 4 : Arashiyama -> Kiyomizu Temple -> Nishiki Market -> Osaka -> Osaka Castle Park -> Dotonbori -> Shin Sai Bashi Suji

Day 3 :

Good morning wet Kyoto! It’s a raining day!

We are heading off to Arashiyama and after checking out different ways of going there, we decided to take the local bus today because of the less walking and less troublesome.

Before we walk to the bus terminal, we went to McDonald’s to get some takeaway breakfast first so that we can have it on the bus.

Just walk straight through Kyoto Station ( follow the signboard ), and walk down to the underground mall.

From the underground mall, exit from exit C. The bus terminal is in front of Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto, Kyoto Station ( city bus ) C5 bus stop.

Took the bus 73 but just nice when we reach the bus terminal, the bus is there already so I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of the terminal and the bus so I could only take a picture of the inside of the bus. Bus journey is about 45 minutes. 

Walk to the bridge to take a few shots of the beautiful place and we proceed to the famous bamboo forest.

After alighting the bus, turn right and walk to the traffic light and cross over the road on your right side ( bridge on your left side ).

Owl and cat cafe above Lawson!

Walk pass a lot of shops in the vintage building like we are back in the olden days.

If you see this signboard, you are walking towards the right way to the bamboo forest.

Continue to walk and you will see this signboard.

Once you see this shop, turn left and you’ll see the bamboo forest. Basically, follow the crowd! Many tour groups around too, so you can pretend you are part of the group and followed them to reach the destination. Haha! 

Address : Japan, 〒616-8394 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Ukyō-ku, Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamachō, 京都市右京区嵯峨野々宮町

Oh ya! There is this trishaw that can bring you there and also works as a tour guide BUT the price is no joke! But of course if you don’t want to walk and have plenty of money to spare, you can try it as I think it will be another kind of experience!

Tada! Here we are at the famous bamboo forest! So beautiful, so peaceful ( if it’s without the crowd I mean ).

Slow down your pace and you can feel the 'zen' of this place ( but first you need to find a empty space! ).

Took as many pictures as we can when ever there is empty space without people photo booming us! Haha that’s not easy ya?

Many people ( mostly tourist ) will dress up in the Japanese traditional Kimono to take picture here.

Continue walk and pass by this railway.

I just have to repeat myself again... rain is a spoiler!

Because of the building, give me a feeling like I'm in the olden days, waiting for the rain to stops! But the fact is, it is raining so heavily that we have to really wait for awhile before we can continue walking. 

If you are wondering how come we can take picture with the bamboo surrounding us without anybody photobombing us? 

Here’s the tip, quickly run into the trishaw walk way and shoot as many picture as you can before the trishaw comes! This place is actually for trishaw to go through and not for people to walk through. 

 After finishing the bamboo forest, we went to the Arashiyama station to take train to Shijo Omiya station to the bus to Kiyomizu temple.

That's a different train! Looks more like a tram to me.

Reached Shijo Omiya station, and bus stop is just diagonally opposite the train station exit.

Taking bus to 207 and we will reach after a few station. 

If you are not sure about the way, follow the crowd is the best way! Haha! 

Beautiful Japanese restaurant that we past by!

Before we reach the Kiyomizu Temple, this is the view we are seeing! So many umbrella!

 Here we are!

Address : 294 Kiyomizu 1-chōme, Higashiyama-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 605-0862, Japan

By the way, this place has been listed into one of the world culture heritage!

Counter to buy the entrance ticket.

Entrance fee is ¥400 ( SG$4.90 ).

And as expected it will be super crowded since it’s a place that people must come when they are in Kyoto...

Overheard a Chinese tour guide around us telling her tour group that this is actually a money bag god so we both quickly make a wish!

I bought a joss stick to pay a respect to the god there too.

Continue to walk to find a famous photo shoot spot ( not here ya... ).

Pass by another temple.

Found! But this is not what I expected! The outside of the temple is having renovation! Argh!!

This is what I am expecting! ( Picture taken from Google )

Lucky still manage to take a picture of the Pagoda!

It’s maple tree! Leaves are starting to turn red and which means autumn is coming!

Reached the Otawa Waterfall where people each used the tools that is provided it to catch the water ( not sure where the water come from but I guess is some spring water? ) to wash their hands but I also see people drinking too! Anyway don’t the student with yellow hat look cute? They look exactly like those student in the Japanese comics! 

Walking back to the bus stop to take the bus to our next destination but before that, we passed by a very zen and beautiful temple so we went in to have a look.

And of course to take some pictures as well.

Off we go again but before reaching the bus stop I was attracted by this fish pancake shop! It is located just beside the bus stop.

Address : ５丁目-126-2 清水 Higashiyama-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 605-0862, Japan
Operating Hours : 11am to 6pm

I got myself a matcha red bean flavor for ¥150  ( SG$1.80 ) only.

 Honestly speaking it’s not that bad, quite yummy! 

Ok, so no we are taking the bus to 207 again but from the opposite side ( from where we alight just now ) and now we are heading to the Nishiki market. 

Address : Japan, 〒604-8045 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku, Nakauoyachō, 京都市中京区
Operating Hours : 9am to 5pm

Actually the market is closing soon but still quite a few stored that is open.

I guess if you want some fresh seafood, you might need to go in the morning.

Although the market is closing soon, surprisingly there is still a lot of people there! 

Seafood stall again...

There is Snoopy Cafe there! But too bad it’s closing already… Sadness! The shops here reminds me of my Brisbane trip, where everywhere closes so early!

Address : Japan, 〒604-8125 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku, Nakauoyachō, 錦小路柳馬場西入中魚屋町480番地
Operating Hours : 10.30am to 5.30pm

 Although it's closing soon, we still manage to go in to have a look. Everything is so cute here! How would people bear to eat them?

Bought some takopakchi to fill up a stomach first before we found a dinner place! So far the only meal we had today is the McDonald’s breakfast!

Pass by this hand soap shop and the soap here are quite unique. There is a few scents and the texture is very unique, not sure how to describe it but maybe I will say squishy (?), or should I say it feels like a big mochi ( Japanese dessert )? 

ABC Mart in the market too! I love ABC Mart because I love to buy sneakers! Haha... but I didn't buy any this time round but I saw some very cheap sneakers! Now I regret for not buying it...

 Finish walking in the market and at the end of the market is the Nishiki- Tenmangu Shrine.

Address : Japan, 〒604-8042 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku, Nakanochō (Shinkyōgokudōri), 京都市中京区新京極通り四条上る中之町537番地

Just right before the temple, this particular shop at the corner attracts our attention!

Beautiful crystal! I think after my Turkey trips, I tend to be more interested in Crystal! Bought a bracelet and hope that he can bring me some good energy!

Not gonna miss any chance of shopping in the local drug store!

OK it’s finally dinner time! We googled the restaurants around the Nishiki market area and found this tappanyaki restaurant, Nishiki Warai!

Address : Japan, 〒604-8142 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku, Nishiuoyachō, 錦小路通高倉西入西魚屋町597ミズコートビル1F
Operating Hours : 11.30am to 12am midnight

The menu.

Ordered the Goiza,

A Waraiyaki,

And Modanyaki pork.

The food here is really quite good!

After dinner, we hop into another drug stores…

And hop to the next drug store again! Haha! People do Café hoping but we went drugstore hopping!

And the last one i promise!

Anyway really gonna go back already! Going to pack our luggage and head off to Osaka tomorrow! Walk over to Shijo Station and straight to Kujo station without changing line, and about 3 minutes walk to our apartment.

Oh yeah by the way, we didn’t use the sightseeing pass for two days travel, so we can actually use it tomorrow. The pass need not be used within 2 consecutive days.

Supper and time to say good night!

Day 4 : 

Good morning! Let me have a green tea latte before heading off to Osaka!

Since we didn’t use our sightseeing pass yesterday so which means we have one more day to use it and we decided to keep it for today because from Kyoto to Osaka, the cheapest fare is about ¥560 ( SG$6.80 ), So we thought that using the pass today will be more worth it. Since we wanted to use the pass, we couldn’t take train from Kyoto station but only the Keihan Line from Tofuku-Ji station. which also means we need to walk about 15 minutes with our luggage to the station. Good thing about walking in Japan street is, they have very smooth road so even walking with your luggage for 10 to 15 minutes, it’s not a problem at all.

 From Tofuki-Ji station, took the Keihan Line ( stops every station ) and alight at Tamabashi station.

And from Tambabashi station, we will transfer to again Keihan Line ( express ).

Alight at Kyobashi Station,

and walk from the Keihan line to Kyobashi JR station.

From Kyobashi JR line, we took the Osaka Loop line.

Lastly, we alight at the Fukushima Station where our Airbnb apartment is. The host is very nice to let us put our luggage at the apartment while they are doing the cleaning as we are still too early to check in.

After leaving our luggage in the apartment, while walking back to the train station, pass by a restaurant in a small ally that is having long queue but we are too hungry to queue so we skip trying it.

 We went to Osaka station and went up to the 10th floor of Lucua shopping mall where their food street is.

Address : Japan, 〒530-0001 Ōsaka-fu, Ōsaka-shi, Kita-ku, Umeda, 3 Chome−1, 大阪市北区梅田３丁目１−３
Operating Hours : 10am to 9pm

And we happen to see the Maisen Tonkatsu there and decided to have it because we had it in Tokyo before and the taste is so good!

Operating Hours : 11am to 11pm

Oh yes I remember their special sauces! 

Here’s our food!

Look at this thick piece of pork! I miss this so much! Yum Yum!

Not forgetting the most important sauce! Oh ya by the way, they do have free refill for rice and cabbage so which means you can eat as much as you want!

We are so happy with our lunch, so time to head off to our next destination.

From Osaka station, took train and alight at Morinomiya Station.

Follow the signboard, turn right from the exit and walk straight.

Once you come out of the exit, you will see this road, cross over to the opposite and turn left ( where the red arrow is ). This is where the iconic place that represents Osaka is and that will be nothing but the Osaka Castle.

Train that can take you around the park. 

But! You have to pay for the train... nothing is free! 300 ( SGD$3.60 ) for one way and 500 ( SGD$6) for two way for adult.

We didn't want to pay for the train, so we choose to slowly walk towards the castle.

Autumn is here!

Again... we follow the crowd...

Not sure what building is this but it give a feeling of European country.

Tada! Finally reach the Osaka castle after walking about 15mins from the train station.

Address : 1-1 Ōsakajō, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 540-0002, Japan
Operating Hours : 9am to 5pm

Before going into the museum, we just need to take some pictures in front of the castle to show that we did come to Osaka! Haha!

Ha! This is the exact place same as the picture on my ICOCA card! 

Ticket counter just right in front of the entrance.

Remember we had the sightseeing pass? Using that pass, we can get a small discount ( yes.. very little only ) for the entrance ticket! ¥500 ( SG$6 ) for the entrance ticket after discount and ¥540 ( SG$6.60 ) without discount. 

The Osaka castle museum is actually closing in 45 minutes time so we decided to go straight to the observation deck at the highest floor, but look at the queue for the lift!

 Yup... getting nearer to the lift now... some people choose to walk the stairs up!

Anyway finally reach the top! The view is totally awesome although it’s not at super high level ( it’s only at level 5)!

Took some pictures from different sides from the observation deck.

After that we walk down level by level to see the history of Osaka and the castle.

Was about to leave the place but realize the view here is really beautiful so we decided to take some picture and wait for the sunset.

Not forgetting to take some selfie,

and welfie!

Ok, leaving the place now...

Beautiful castle in the dawn!

Happen to pass by a park walking to the train station! Isn’t this dog so cute?! There is a lot of locals scrolling at the park with their dogs.

Suddenly we saw a lot of people queuing but not sure what they are queuing for. I guess it’s for some concert or performance?

Look at the night view here! So beautiful!...

We are going to the famous Dotonbori street from the Osaka castle, so we need to take train from Osaka Business Park station.

Alight at Shinsaibashi station,

Walk from Shinsaibashi station to Yotsubashi station ( both station are link ).

From Yotsubashi station, take the train and alight at Osaka-Namba station which is only one station away, exit 26-D and walk over to the famous Dotonbori Street where all the shopping and food is!

What a unique hotel entrance at Dotonori Hotel, with the sculpture as their trademark!

This place is so crowded even at this timing!

So here is the famous running man poster at the Ebisu Bridge! How can we not take a picture with the famous poster to prove that we have been to Osaka right?

The crab looks so good but the price is not! Haha!

This place is full of lively colourful lights and big huge sculpture outside each restaurant.

Many big drug store there! Haha!

Shabu Shabu for dinner tonight at Shabutei Shinsaibashi!

Address : Japan, 〒542-0085 Ōsaka-fu, Ōsaka-shi, Chūō-ku, Shinsaibashisuji, 1 Chome−4−11 しゃぶ亭ビル
Operating Hours : 11am to 10.30pm

My pork set.

Pearlie's pork and beef set.

When we are almost done with our shabu shabu set, the server came over and help us to cook our udon... we didn't know there is udon included in the set menu!

And lastly, dessert time! Dessert included too!

Continue to shop after dinner! Shops here normally closes later then other place.

There is a big ABC Mart here.

Many different drug store here and here starts our drug store hopping again!

Many different drug store but our favorite is still this, Don-Quijote! There is one big outlet while walking back to Namba station.

Address : 2 Chome-5-9 Nishishinsaibashi, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 542-0086, Japan
Operating Hours : 24hr

Back to our apartment! We have not really seen the room yet as we only put our luggage in the apartment and left and only back now. 

No lift in the building so carrying up the luggage is disaster! Haha! But we survive in the morning! ( because it’s was still light without much shopping )

Tada! Our room! It’s much bigger then we expected! Knowing that houses in Japan are mostly tiny! 

Kitchen area...

Their tiny bathroom. I’m always amaze by Japan bathroom, so tiny yet they still can fit in one tiny bathtub! Haha!

No wardrobe so just hanger rack here. 

Kids will love this! But we didn’t even try at all! Haha! We don’t wanna break it!

Anyway, good night!