April 26, 2013
When you talk about Japan, it’s about skyscrapers,
technologically-advanced equipment, high-tech gadgets, heavy industries, famous
cars and appliances, gaming consoles, etc., but outside the busy-streets and
work-driven Tokyo city is a culturally-rich, laidback lifestyle, a museum
itself in the central part of Honshu Island, KYOTO! It shouldn't be missed out.
Kyoto is the home of the country’s Emperor for more than
1000years (794-1868), UNESCO World Heritage Site, roughly 2000 temples and
shrines, museums, castles and the famous Maiko (Geisha) entertainers in Gion
Street.
It is located 458km from the capital Tokyo but the fastest
Shinkansen bullet train (Nozomi train) can reach your destination in 2hrs and
20min. Needless to say, the speed and convenience of the train would equate to
its price at around ¥14,000 for a one-way ride (Php6,000 or US$140). From
Osaka, cultural city of Japan is just 55km, and its connected by several
transport services – Shinkansen, Rapid trains, Subway lines, Buses, and taxes.
There should be no problem connecting between these 2 cities because
transportation is very convenient in Japan. Just be cautious in choosing your
mode of transportation, it might just cost you few hundred bucks! For more information on transportation to Kyoto: Access to Kyoto
In our case, however, we came from Nagano prefecture and to
save few bucks, we opted for the 7 hrs 16min overnight bus to Kyoto. But like what I
said, its hassle-free! The bus left Nagano at 22:49H and arrived at Kyoto
Station at exactly 06:05H. Travel Tip: Make sure to be in the station minutes before
your scheduled trip since public transportation leaves on the dot. Consider the
walking time to the platform/exact bus location. Not even a minute of late is
tolerated there J
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| Kyoto Station Bus Stop |
Since we arrive there on a Sunday, Holy Mass is definitely
part of my itinerary. From Kyoto Station, we went straight to Cathedral of St.Francis Xavier (Kawaramachi Church).
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| Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier |
After the mass, we took the city bus going to our hotel, a traditional Japanese inn (Ryokan) located in the heart of the city. But since it was our first time in the place, we still played hide and seek with the hotel.
A perfect sightseeing and morning walk while searching for our hotel. The weather is also very cool at around 15ºc. Take note: This is around 07:30H right after the Sunday mass.
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| Kamogawa (Kamo River) |
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| Strip of Restaurants -- Look for Starbucks! |
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| More Restaurants |
We walked further towards the end of the bridge and another set of attraction that's good for the eyes. The street with traditional Japanese houses with some restaurants attached to it.
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| Traditional Japanese Houses |
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| Can't help but take a photo! |
Finally! It's Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel -- after approximately 20min of walk. But no regrets, its like a walk in the park. We didn't even realize we walked that far!
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| Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel |
At night, the city has different ambiance seeing Japanese
people going home from office, Gion area starting to life with Geishas and Geikos just walking around
the vicinity. Travel
Tip: Keep your cameras ready as these entertainers might be walking in front of
you. I saw two of them but
unfortunately was not able to take a photo of them.
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| Gion Area -- the home of Geishas and Geikos |
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| Restaurants on both sides of the street |
You shouldn't miss downtown Kyoto at night too!
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| Kyoto Marui Department Store |
And the Kamogawa and Kyoto Tower at night:
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| Kamogawa at Night |
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| Kyoto Tower |
Kyoto Station:
It is the 2nd biggest terminal station building
in Japan (after Nagoya Station) with a shopping mall, department store, hotel,
gov’t facilities and other commercial establishments in one huge building. It
is one of the main stations in the island of Honshu, central Japan. Travel Tip: This can
already be part of your itinerary as the station is already an attraction. You
can also make your last minute shopping in Kyoto here before heading to
somewhere else.
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| Kyoto Station |
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| Interior of Kyoto Station |
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| Platform Entrance |
Don’t miss out Kyoto on your visit to Japan! If I get an
opportunity, I will definitely visit this culturally rich city again!
Check out my other blog posts in Kyoto Series:
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