Showing posts with label Kyoto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kyoto. Show all posts
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Japan: Osaka, Okayama, Kobe, Kyoto: 3 days Spring Itinerary
Destinations: Osaka, Okayama, Kobe, Kyoto, Japan
Travel Date: May 16-19 2014 (3d3n)
Temperature
May 17 (Kobe): 19.3 (mean), 22.5 (max), 14.8 (min)
May 18 (Kyoto): 21 (mean), 28.2 (max), 13 (min)
May 19 (Osaka): 21.6 (mean), 26.7 (max), 16.6 (min)
Osaka Weather History (2013-2015)
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2015/ws-477720.html
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2014/ws-477720.html
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2013/ws-477720.html
If its nearly 2 weeks upon your visit, check the weather forecast or sunrise/sunrise timings:
Kyoto - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/kyoto/ext
Kobe - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/kobe/ext
Accommodation: Where to stay in Osaka?
Hotel IL Cuore Namba
Address: 556-0011, Osaka Naniwa-ku Nambanaka 1-15-15
ホテルイルクオーレなんば 556-0011, 大阪市 浪速区難波中1-15-15
Hotel Review
Food and Restaurant Tip - Kampai!
Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Osaka?
Saturday
-From Osaka, go to Okayama by train
-Visit Wake Wisteria Park, Wake Folk Museum
-Go to Kobe by train
-Visit old Western-style buildings in Kitano area
-Walk along Flower Road
-Return to Osaka by train
Sunday
-From Osaka, go to Kyoto by train
-Visit Mimuroto-ji Temple (Azalea)
-Kawaramachi Catholic Church
-TOEI Kyoto Studio Park
-Return to Osaka by train
-Namba Parks
Monday
-In Osaka, visit Nakanoshima Park (Roses)
-Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
-Departure in Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Sunday, June 15, 2014
2014 May: Japan: Kyoto: Toei Studio Park
Travel Date: May 18, 2014 Sunday
Toei Kyoto Studio Park Japan
〒616-8161 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Uzumasa Higashihachiokacho, 10
9:00am-6:00pm ・March-July,September(Sat,Sun&Holidays)
Admission: 2200yen
Map: http://www.toei-eigamura.com/en/pdf/parkmap_en2014.pdf
From Nijo take the San-In line, drop by Uzumasa. There is only one exit and has a sign going to TOEI Studio Park.
The area is big, but you can spend half a day or 3-4 hours to enjoy and see what's worth of the entrance.
Toei Kyoto Studio Park Japan
〒616-8161 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Uzumasa Higashihachiokacho, 10
9:00am-6:00pm ・March-July,September(Sat,Sun&Holidays)
Admission: 2200yen
Map: http://www.toei-eigamura.com/en/pdf/parkmap_en2014.pdf
From Nijo take the San-In line, drop by Uzumasa. There is only one exit and has a sign going to TOEI Studio Park.
The area is big, but you can spend half a day or 3-4 hours to enjoy and see what's worth of the entrance.
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| Anime Museum |
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| Hero Land in Padios |
2014 May: Japan: Kyoto: Kawaramachi Catholic Church
Central terminals are really confusing. Due to sudden change of itinerary, it took me more time to figure out the name of the line and which platform in Kyoto is going to Kyoto-Shiyakusho-mae station.
Arriving at the station and taking exit 1, it took around 10-15minutes to reach the Roman Catholic. Starting May 2014, English mass will only be on 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month.
Kawaramachi Catholic Church (Kyoto Diocese Cathedral)
Kawaramachidori-sanjoagaru, Nakagyo-ku, KYOTO, 604-8006
Patron Saitn: The Holy Mother of the Capital
2014 May: Japan: Kyoto: Mimuroto-ji Temple
Travel Date: May 18, 2014 Sunday
Location:
Mimuroto-ji Temple, Kyoto Prefecture 611-0013, Japan
三室戸寺 21 莵道滋賀谷 Uji,
Open: 8:30 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from November to March)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time; Admission: 500 yen
Aside from Umeda in Osaka, there is another option to reach Kyoto. I took Keihan Line from Yodobashi station to Chusojima. Then, exchange to Uji line going to Mimurudo station.
In early weeks of May, you'll see full bloom of azaleas in Mimuroto-ji Temple. It is about 20 minute walk from the station.
Check if you can see the signage and directions while being covered by the branches.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
2014 May: Japan: Oishi (Delicious), Itadakimasu! (Let's eat!)
Your Japan trip can be inexpensive if you know where to find an affordable meal. It is a balance between being thrifty and having the Japanese experience.
Convenience stores - Bento boxed meals or rice covered with seaweed are available in Mini Mart, 7/11, Family Mart, etc.
Supermarket - Few minutes before closing, supermarkets would offer dimsum or suchi for half of its price. You could also buy cheaper drinks and omiyage in supermarkets. [Read more tips]
Street Food – Try toasted dumplings. Just like Kenshin.
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| TOEI Kyoto Studio Park |
Monday, December 31, 2012
2012 Dec: Japan: Trains
Are you ready to get lost? Are you up to the challenge to see these signs?
Will you be able to locate where you are or going to if you are given less English maps?
I don’t want to confuse myself on getting a ticket each time I use the train, and I need to have a ticket that can be used on all types of trains in Osaka and Kyoto. Do you have the same issues on mind, ICOCA is the answer!
2012 Dec: Japan: Bicycle
Bicycles are widely used in Japan for everyday life by people of all age groups and social standings.[Reference]
All I wanna do is... I want to ride my bicycle,
I want to ride my bike, I want to ride my bicycle,
Bicycle races are coming your way,
So forget all your duties oh yeah! --queen
2012 Nov: Kyoto: Kennin-ji Temple Grounds
Destination: Kennin-ji Temple Grounds
Travel Date: November 30, 2012
Location: Komatsu town down through Article 45, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Yamatooji
Admission Fee: 500 yen
Website: http://www.kenninji.jp/english/
Kenninji is a temple of the Zen sect, one of the main branches of Japanese Buddhism. Buddhism, founded approximately 2,500 years ago in India by Shakyamuni Buddha, teaches that the inherent suffering of life can be transcended through equanimity, wisdom, and compassion. The Zen sect, dating back to sixth-century China, seeks the realization of this ideal through a strict training system stressing work and meditation. At present, there are three branches of Zen in Japan - the Rinzai Soutou and Oubaku schools. Kenninji belongs to the Rinzai tradition. The temple was founded in 1202 by the priest Yousai (1141-1215). [Read more]
Travel Date: November 30, 2012
Location: Komatsu town down through Article 45, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Yamatooji
Admission Fee: 500 yen
Website: http://www.kenninji.jp/english/
Kenninji is a temple of the Zen sect, one of the main branches of Japanese Buddhism. Buddhism, founded approximately 2,500 years ago in India by Shakyamuni Buddha, teaches that the inherent suffering of life can be transcended through equanimity, wisdom, and compassion. The Zen sect, dating back to sixth-century China, seeks the realization of this ideal through a strict training system stressing work and meditation. At present, there are three branches of Zen in Japan - the Rinzai Soutou and Oubaku schools. Kenninji belongs to the Rinzai tradition. The temple was founded in 1202 by the priest Yousai (1141-1215). [Read more]
2012 Nov: Japan: Kyoto: Gion
Gion (祇園) is Kyoto's most famous geisha (performing artist) district, located around
Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west.
It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto
dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain. [Read more]
2012 Nov: Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha
Destination: Fushimi Inari Shrine (also known as: Fushimi Inari Taisha, 伏見稲荷大社)
Travel Date: November 30, 2013
How to get there:
From KYOTO [ Departure track No.10 ] station, take line: JR NARA Line Local [5mins].
Drop-off at: INARI 稲荷駅(京都)station. Fare is ¥140 (70php) with distance of 2.7 km
Then walk to: Fushimi Inari Taisha [3 mins], (always open)
As soon as you get out of Inari station, you will immediately see the tori-gate in front of the Shinto shrine.
Travel Date: November 30, 2013
How to get there:
From KYOTO [ Departure track No.10 ] station, take line: JR NARA Line Local [5mins].
Drop-off at: INARI 稲荷駅(京都)station. Fare is ¥140 (70php) with distance of 2.7 km
Then walk to: Fushimi Inari Taisha [3 mins], (always open)
As soon as you get out of Inari station, you will immediately see the tori-gate in front of the Shinto shrine.
A lot have been visiting the place since it is one of the cinematic locations of Memories of Geisha.
2012 Nov: Kyoto: Sagano Sightseeing Railway
Sagano Sightseeing Railway is one of the best options to see autumn leaves in Kyoto. And what’s good about it, there is car #5 which is windowless that will give you astonishing view.
How to get there:
From KYOTO [ Departure track No.33 ] take line JR Sagano Line [16mins] and DROP-OFF at SAGA-ARASHIYAMA
Fare 230yen (120php, 2012) with Distance: 10.3 km
It’s just too bad because during that day, tickets are not being sold due to an incident or emergency maintenance of the train. (Actually, I saw something on news that morning that there is a landslide on the train tracks, since it is on local language I was not able to catch which affected route was it.)
In spite of what happened, I appreciate the guards and the train assistants for letting us get into the station and helped take photos near the cars.
Instead of being disappointed, I enjoyed watching the mini trains on its railways, picking-up omiyage and eating local cuisine.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
2012 Nov: Japan: Kyoto: Kiyomizu
Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyomizu-dera]
This will be the last stop for our one-day guided tour. From the parking lot, it will be a long climb to reach the foot of the temple. Try to visit the area in the morning, because it is too crowded at night. Some would walk slowly since they are interested to check on the street food, souvenirs, antiques, etc.
2012 Nov: Kyoto: Heian Shrine + Sanjūsangen-dō
The Heian Shrine (平安神宮 Heian-jingū?) is a Shinto shrine located in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The Shrine is ranked as a Beppyou Jinja (The top rank for Shrines) by the Association of Shinto Shrines. It is listed as an important cultural property of Japan. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heian_Shrine]
Noted by our guide that to recognize a Shinto Shrine (compared to Buddhist shrines), there should be a tori gate standing across the street.
Friday, December 28, 2012
2012 Nov: Kyoto: Imperial Palace
Beautiful ginkgo tree taken from the guided bus tour while going to the Imperial Palace.
The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.
Reference: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3917.html
Kyoto
Imperial Palace is the last stop for the Kyoto morning tour. It is good to join on a tour since the palace
has exclusive compound that can only be accessed if you are part of an
organized group. We’re always being
reminded by our guide that we should stay on our line. Although, none of the buildings can be
entered, perhaps they are just protecting the area.
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| Top of the entrance gate (Okurumayouse) for official visits by courtiers who had been granted permission to enter the Palace precincts. |
Sunday, December 23, 2012
2012 Nov: Kyoto: Golden Pavilion
Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji was the inspiration for the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu's grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, on the other side of the city a few decades later.
Reference: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html
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| After taking this shot, the next time I see it I was already in Manila, so surprised about the colors! |
2012 Nov: Kyoto: Nijo Castle
Still dark outside, we left the hotel few minutes after 6 in the morning. We were able to reach Osaka station before the schedule. However, there were several trains that got delayed. Upon reaching Kyoto station, we were on running to reach Miyako Hotel, which is the pick-up point of our one-day guided tour.
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