Escape to Oblivion: June 2015

If you were not able to read my first blogpost regarding our travel in Japan (Days 1 -3), please click here.

JAPAN Day 4 – 06/04/2015

Itinerary:

Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibatsu) Temple

Hasedera Temple

NGA Japan Office

Harajuku

Shinjuku

Initially, our plan was to go to Narra but due to time constraint, we just decided to go to Kanagawa as it was nearer than of Narra. We then went to Kamakura City in Kanagawa Prefecture. According to the weather app, it would be a sunny day for us so I just wore a long sleeve top. And accurate as it might seem, I wore my sunglasses for the first time in Japan. The sun was up and smiling at us.

When we reached Kamakura, we first ate lunch in a nearby low-priced resto. The bento meal was worth 1,000 yen.

Bento meal

Wacky Shots

It was cheap for a delicious and satisfying meal. Also, the old man who was serving the food was very accommodating, nice and friendly. Afterwhich, went to the famous Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibatsu). Entrance fee is 200 yen. We just took photos with the Buddha and cherry blossom trees.

Ticket

We passed by ice cream stores and bought this – caramel with almond ice cream.

Then saw this mochi-like or pancake-like bread near the train station. We bought the Japanese Green Tea and Cherry Blossom.

Before heading home, Carlo requested to pass by the NGA Japan Office and meet his JP team. It was indeed a wonderful experience because his teammates were very friendly and pleasant! I couldn’t even describe how they nicely treat their visitors. Look at them, look at me.. J I was then a former NGA employee too. J

Since Harajuku station was just near Ebisu, we decided to check the place. There were lots of inexpensive finds there – clothes, accessories and food. Kuya was able to buy a nice watch for only 500 yen. On the other hand, Carlo and I were able to find cheap Kitkat packs.

We also went to Shinjuku for dinner but we couldn’t find what we wanted to eat so we just went back to our hotel and ate at the restaurant across it.

JAPAN Day 5 – 07/04/2015

Itinerary:

Tokyo to Kyoto via Bullet Train

Nijo Castle

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Fushimi Inari Shrine

We woke up too early because we had a reservation time and seat in a Shinkansen (bullet train) at 7:01AM. We checked out at Marroad Inn Hotel at around 5:00AM Tokyo time to make sure that we wouldn’t be late. It was freakin’ cold outside at a 5C per the AccuWeather app. Some of the entrances in train stations were still closed because we were too early so we had to use those friggin’ stairs while carrying each luggage! Imagine the struggle!!!

Tokyo Station :)

By the way, we already purchased the Japan Rail Pass when we were still in Singapore so all JR Lines were free of charge including the Shinkansen trains (except Nozomi and Mizuho).

Thank God we were not late as we were 30 minutes early. So we just sat down, relaxed and waited for the Shinkansen to arrive. True as they say, Japan does follow exact time. The train arrived like 3-5minutes early and left at exactly 7:01AM.

Reserved seats!

It took us about 3 hours reaching Kyoto Station. Then another 2 subway transfers to get to Hotel Honnoji. Our hotel was a Ryokan type wherein we experienced a traditional Japanese home.

In front of the hotel

Kyoto City Hall was just across the hotel

Before we transfer to a subway, I searched online if there was an unlimited pass in Kyoto. And good news, there was. So we went to the Information Counter and asked about it. The lady in the counter told us that there were 2 types of pass, one is the subway train only, and the other one is the subway and bus passes. Thus, we chose the subway and train passes which cost 1,200 yen each.

Again, we left our baggage in the hotel first, then grabbed lunch nearby.

I had a super cheesy Gyudon meal worth 500 yen.

First stop was Nijo Castle. Entrance fee was 600 yen.

Look at the photos. We enjoyed roaming around the big castle :)

Cherry blossoms! Oh, you're just sooo beautiful...

Complete picture!

Jumpshot!

Then we took a taxi going to Kyoto Imperial Palace. Entrance was free. It was sooooo cold so we only spent about half an hour for this place.

Then our last stop was Fushimi Inari Shrine - which could be reached by a few transfers in subway. My brother told me that the Torii gates in this Shrine were captured in Memoirs of Geisha movie.

Kuya and Carlo bought this food at the shrine.

Then we went back to the hotel and we were surprised because a Japanese room maid called and told us that she will be arranging our tatami beds.

Yay! Traditional Japanese set up :D

Free food and tea

This was how they arranged our Tatami beds

JAPAN Day 6 – 08/04/2015

Itinerary:

Kinkakuji Temple

Philosopher’s Path

Ginkakuji Temple

Nanzenji Temple

Keage Incline

Heian Shrine

Kiyomizudera Temple

Gion District (famous Geisha District)

We started our day eating sumptuous breakfast from the hotel. The room maids arranged our tatami beds back to the cabinet and started preparing our table for food.

After taking lots of pictures from breakfast, we decided that our first destination would be the Kinkakuji Temple where we can see the Golden Pavilion. This temple will be reached by Kyoto bus and the good thing was, we didn't have to shell out any penny as we were still using the Kyoto unlimited day pass. Entrance fee was 400 yen. We just walked around the area just like we did for the other temples.

A lot of passengers in the bus! Mostly students...

After all the students alighted...

Ticket to the Kinkakuji Temple

The Golden Pavilion... Beautiful!

Then we hopped on another bus to go to Ginkakuji Castle where we passed by the Philosopher’s Path. Entrance fee in Ginkakuji was 500 yen.

the Philosopher's Path

Cherry blossoms were really amazingly beautiful.

Going up to Kinkakuji Temple

Inside the temple

We took lunch in a nearby resto and tried Okonomiyaki (500 yen) and green tea soft ice cream (300 yen).

Afterwards, we went to Nanzenji Temple by bus. Entrance fee was 500 yen.

Kuya and Nanay were the only ones who went inside the temple. Carlo and I were too exhausted and we didn't want to spend anymore so we decided to sit near the entrance :p ... so here are the pictures...

Then we just walked towards the Keage Incline.

we saw an old pagoda on the way to Keage Incline

Keage Incline was full of cherry blossoms! :)

We got lost so we decided to ride a taxi going to Heian Shrine. We couldn't afford to be lost again because we're too exhausted in walking and walking and walking......

Before we leave, we found a medallion maker! Just sweet of Carlo, he made two medallions and gave one to me. It says “Carlo and Cha in Heian – 08.04.2015”

Kuya and Nanay made one too for our family :)