Day 4 in Japan - Kyoto, traditional Gion and Pontocho

I actually planned to visit Universal Studios Japan, ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン (Yunibaasaru sutajio Japan) in Osaka on my fourth day in Japan.  However, being there just 30 minutes after opening time, I did not anticipate such a massive crowd.  Therefore, a change of plan, I went to Kyoto instead.  Kyoto, 京都 (kyouto) is easily accessible through trains that run directly to Kyoto Station.  

The Grand Kyoto Station

Arriving at the grand and impressive Kyoto Station, it is already noon.   Just outside the station tourist can purchase a Kyoto Bus One-day Pass, which allows unlimited travel to all the stations covered by the pass on the day of purchase.  Most of the main sightseeing spots in Kyoto are covered, although one day is not enough to visit all those spots.  Kyoto is a big place with many attractions.

Exiting from the Northern side of Kyoto Station, Kyoto Tower comes into view

Since it is already after lunch time, I had lunch at Kyoto Station.  The station itself is worth a look around.  It is really big and houses shopping malls and a department store.  I went to the 11^th floor of Isetan Department Store, where there are many fancy restaurants.  I chose to eat sushi, 寿司 or すし (sushi) as I haven’t tasted any sushi yet since arriving in Japan.

Tastes really good

View from the 11th floor of the department store

My first experience waiting for the train to pass before crossing the railway

Delicious snow crab meat

Dinner before the next destination.  This ramen shop has a self-ordering and paying machine

After dinner, it is time for the place I am more interested to visit.  The next destination will be Gion, 祇園 (gion), a geisha district.  Gion is a great destination because it is as if traditional Japan is preserved here.  There are many wooden shops and the architecture has a traditional and historical feel to it.

Peaceful and traditional feeling

A modern Starbucks in the midst of the traditional feeling at Gion

Wooden shops are still plentiful

Minamiza Kabuki Theatre is across the street

Minamiza Kabuki Theatre

Walk further down the road and I reach Kamo River, 鴨川 (kamogawa).  Get across and I will be able to visit Pontocho, 先斗町 (pontochou) and Kawaramachi, 河原町 (kawaramachi), which like Gion, has a traditional Japan feel and there’s great scenery.

Geisha Statue

The scenic Kamo River

After crossing Kamo River, the area of Kawaramachi is a rather busy place.  There are a few department stores here, and there’s a significant increase in crowds and cars.

Busy area with many people, cars, and department stores, but still preserve the traditional feel

Take a pleasant walk at Kawaramachi

On a little bridge

At night, only the shops light up Kamo River.  Many people sit along the riverbank enjoying the river breeze.

After walking around and taking pictures, it is time to rush back to Osaka before the last train leaves.  I don’t want to be stranded at Kyoto!

Last photo of Kyoto Tower lighted up at night and on the train we go

The next day, I will go to Universal Studios!  Do read about Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 as well.

Day 3 in Japan - Nara Park, Isui-en Garden, Italian food and Yakitori

On my third day in Japan, I left Osaka to visit Nara, 奈良 (nara).  Although the public transport in Japan is a bit expensive, the good thing about it is that the railways are connected to many places, and Nara is accessible directly from Osaka using the trains. Outside Kintetsu Nara station, there’s a tourism office that you can get maps and brochures about Nara in many different languages for free.

My first destination is Nara Park, 奈良公園 (narakouen).  To reach there, I have to first walk through Higashimuki Shopping Street, 東向商店街 (higashimukishoutengai).  At the end of the street, there is an Italian restaurant, Trattoria Piano, where I decided to have lunch at.  At Trattoria Piano, pizza is made with a stone oven heated up by burning firewoods and it tasted quite good.  The spaghetti is nice too.

Trattoria Piano, Italian Restaurant at Nara

The Stone oven to make pizza

Spaghetti for lunch

Pizza from the stone oven

The end of Higashimuki Shopping Street is connected to Sanjō-dōri Avenue, 三条通り (sanjoudoori), another shopping avenue.  There’s many souvenir shop at this street.  Nara Park is only 5 minutes’ walk away from this area.  When I see many people and sika deer, I know I have reached my destination.  Deer crackers can be purchase to feed the deers, but be careful of "deer attack".

The deer is very easy to approach

These deer are relaxed even when there are many people

They will get near you freely

Since I will be in Nara for only a day, I had to choose where to go and what to see.  Not being a temple person, I decided to visit Isui-en Garden, 依水園 (isuien).  Isui-en is a small but pleasant and well-maintained garden.

Colorful scenery in Isui-en

Calm and peaceful

Nice weather

Mossy garden, step on the stone steps

A bamboo water tap

A little stream

On the way back to the train station, I take the opportunity to walk around Sanjō-dōri Avenue, which I only pass through earlier.  Also connected is another covered shopping arcade known as Mochiidono Shopping Street, もちいどの商店街 (mochiidonoshoutengai).  There’s even more restaurant, souvenir shops, and bars here.

Sarusawa Pond, 猿沢の池 (sarusawanoike), a pond near the end of Sanjō-dōri Avenue

Manhole at Mochiidono Shopping Street

After returning to Osaka, I had yakitori, 焼き鳥 (yakitori), for dinner at Dotonbori.  Yakitori means grilled chicken literally, but there’s a variety of skewered food served usually.  I ordered a set consisting ten different types of yakitori.

Asupara bekon, アスパラベーコン (asuparabekon) and Negima, ねぎま (negima).  Asupara bekon is Grilled Asparagus Wrapped with Bacon and Negima is pieces of chicken meat skewered with leeks between it.

Enoki Maki, エノキ巻き (enokimaki) is Enoki mushrooms wrapped by pork slices.

After dinner and some walking around, I went back and rest as another day awaits.  Read about the first and second day at Day 1 and Day 2.  Day 4 will be written soon!

Day 2 in Japan - Osaka Castle, Kaiyukan, and Tempozan Ferris Wheel

On the second day, I decided to visit Osaka Castle, 大阪城 (oosakajou).  There is more than one entrance to access the castle, but I choose to get down at Tanimachi 4-chome Station, 谷町四丁目駅 (tanimachiyonchoomeeki) and walk towards Osaka Castle Park’s Southwestern Otemon Gate, 大手門 (ootemon), which is the main gate.  

The Castle grounds are surrounded by water

The Castle’s main tower is located at the inner part of the castle grounds.  There are other gates, turrets, and attractions inside the castle grounds.  A ticket is needed in order to enter the main tower of Osaka Castle.  The inside of the Castle is clean and modern, not lacking any necessary facilities.

Main Tower of Osaka Castle

Inside the castle is actually a museum, telling the history and story of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, 豊臣 秀吉 (toyotomihideyoshi), an ally of Oda Nobunaga, 織田 信長 (odanobunaga).  At the top floor of the castle, there’s a small souvenir shop.  Visitors can enjoy the scenery around the area from the balcony.

The square in front of the Main Tower

The Castle surrounded by waters

After Osaka Castle, my destination is Osaka Aquarium or Kaiyukan, 海遊館 (kaiyuukan).  It is a short walk from Osakako Station, 大阪港駅 (oosakakoueki).  Before crossing the road to the Aquarium, I noticed an elegant and nice place, La Centifolia.  It is actually a shop that serves dessert, while the adjoining part of the building has a chapel-like interior that can be rented for wedding ceremonies.

La Centifolia

Delicious dessert at a pleasant atmosphere

The Aquarium is just across the road, and the Tempozan Ferris Wheel also comes into view.  That area is known as Tempozan Harbor Village.  A shopping center, the Tempozan Marketplace is adjacent to the Ferris wheel.

Kaiyukan has a unique design

Tempozan Ferris Wheel and Shopping center

The Aquarium is actually one of the best in the world.  It houses marine life from around the world.  The main attraction will be the largest tank that holds a whale shark, manta rays, other species of sharks, and schools of other fishes.  Penguins, dolphins, and otters are also exhibited at the aquarium.

The Tunnel at the beginning

Penguins

The famous whale shark

Japanese Spider Crab

Visiting the aquarium is definitely worth it.  At the end of it, we can actually touch manta rays and fishes.  I take a quick walk in the shopping center and one interesting part of it is the Naniwa Food Theme Park, where Osaka’s variety of food are exhibited.  Then, I took a ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel.

Osaka Bay can be seen 

The Places I visited just now

View of the city

The Ferris wheel changes color at night

After the ride on the Ferris wheel, I ate dinner at a restaurant nearby.  After having Gyudon, 牛丼 (gyuudon) and Udon, うどん (udon) for dinner, it’s time to go back for a rest ahead of more travels the next day.  

Gyudon, 牛丼 (gyuudon) and Udon, うどん (udon) for dinner

Read about the first day's travel and please stay tuned for the following days' travels.