Kyoto - the most beautiful city in Japan

We're back!!! As promised, here's the continuation of our Kyoto adventure! Thanks to Vicki for inspiring me to write again =)

Kyoto is just the most beautiful city I have ever seen. I loved it so much that we had to go there twice.

Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area. It is nestled among mountains in Western Honshu and if you fly straight to the Kansai/Osaka Airport, it is very easy to reach. It is less than 30 minutes away by train.

With its 2000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and architecture intact, it is for me, the best preserved city in the world. It is also modern, chic, and urban. Kyoto Station is proof of that - the second-largest in Japan, it has a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, department store, and a lot of restaurants under one steel and glass roof. Kyoto's municipal bus network and subway systems are extensive and confusing.


Kyoto Station

We got one-day/two-day bus pass when we were there but a combined unlimited train and bus pass are also available. There are English buses for tourists everywhere though, so it is easy to go around. You can even rent a bicycle if you want.

There are also a lot of hotels and budget inns for tourists with low budgets like me and Nunu! Econo Inn Discount Hotel (for backpackers) has Western-style private rooms and all of them have bathtubs (tiny but okay), air-conditioners and TV. They also offer discounted room rates if you stay for more than 1 night. Nunu and I loved it here because it's cheap and clean! =)



Our modest hotel room in Kyoto


Our view


view from the other side

Temples and Shrines

The walk through a forest of bamboo to Nonomiya Shrine and Okochi Sanso (a traditional house) in Arashiyama Park is something that Nunu kept on talking about months after we have arrived home.






bamboo forest




some picture Nunu took while bicycling around


Japanese shop inside the park


Japanese cemetery


Sanjusangen-do is one of a kind. It was founded in 1164 and became famous for its 1001 beautiful wooden and gold-leaf covered statues of Kannon, goddess of mercy, housed in thirty-three bays (sanjusan = thirty-three, gendo = bays) in the main hall. Unfortunately, they don't allow cameras inside the temple. But I'm telling you, the statues inside were simply breathtaking! Check out this link for pictures inside the temple:

http://www.taleofgenji.org/sanjusangendo.html


don't be fooled; it looks sunny but it's actually neg 5 degrees!


Don't move yet, taking another picture!


My turn ;)


Thanks to Aves' mom for telling us about Sanjusangen-do, it is beautiful.


drinking station


still in Sanjusangen-do


Nunu's tired and cold already


You know what, I'm getting tired too. Maybe we can walk again tomorrow? We still have to visit a lot of temples so we have to conserve our energies. =P

I promise, I will post more pictures soon! I promise! =PPP



Next: Shimogamo, Golden Pavillion, etc...

Japan adventure I (Osaka)

It took us a long time to do this. We've been extremely "busy" for the past few weeks, that's why. Finally, here are some of our pictures from Japan!!!

We entered Japan through Osaka (Kansai Airport). A ticket to Kansai Airport from Manila (NAIA) is about a few thousand pesos cheaper than a ticket to Narita (we got ours for around Php25000 through Phil Airlines or PAL), including taxes already. So you might want to consider flying there instead. It's also easier to book a ticket and hotel.

Osaka is part of the Kansai region. In the Kansai region, you have many interesting cities that are only about an hour away from each other. These cities are Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Hiroshima is a little bit further away.


From Kansai Airport to Osaka

Osaka

If you're looking to eat well, watch Japan's most interesting bands, and visit a few penguins while you're at it, Osaka is the place to be. Japan's second largest city is known as an excellent place to eat. Be sure to try the okonomiyaki and takoyaki. It is also the city where most of the country's comedians and musicians come from and is home to Kaiyukan, one of the world's largest aquariums.


right outside our Ryokan (traditional inn)


We stayed in a Ryokan and this is our humble room (very Japanese!, right?). The owner used to work with Filipino seamen and so he is very friendly towards us.


Yay! drinking my green tea in lotus position ;)


Kaiyukan Aquarium




the biggest ferris wheel


Penguins outdoors!




fishes in the aquarium




Shark!


Shark's egg?








jelly fish

Other places worthy of visit are Universal Studios, the hip Amemura district, shopping at Namba Parks, and Umeda Sky Building.


Osaka mall

Osaka is an industrial city where most factories and manufacturing houses are. They say it's the nation's commercial district and Japan's "gourmet kitchen" or food capital. True enough, there were shopping malls in every corner and bargains everywhere!!! We stayed there for a few days and headed to Kyoto, which is just 30 mins away by train.


This guy helped us find our way through Japan's huge and confusing railway system!He doesn't speak English well but we got by through hand signals and Nunu's "little" Japanese =P


Japanese MRT!


Next: Off to KYOTO (our favorite city in Japan)