Kyoto | Kiyomizu-dera: A Temple in Otowa Mountain

April 26, 2013

Exactly a year ago, I visited Kiyomizu-dera or Clear Water Temple in English. It is one of my top 5 places to visit in Kyoto. A beautiful temple at the East side of Kyoto and just walking distance from our hotel, Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel.

Kiyomizu-dera's main temple

Yes, striking distance but that doesn’t mean less than 10min of walk because the walk from city streets to the temple entrance is already 20min. Hence, from our hotel, it’s approximately a 35min stroll. Travel Tip: Consider wearing sneakers. The walking time might be easy for you! But how about the elevation and slopes! Take note, the temple is located in Otowa Mountain.

But it's a pleasant walk! Most people, including Japanese high school students in their school uniforms, heading to the temple would also walk to the entrance.  There's a wide array of shops too along the way. Travel Tip: Grab the green tea or sakura ice cream. It’s amazing! Buy some refreshments too!

Kyoto | Nijo-jo: Home of the Tokugawa Shogunate

April 27, 2013

"Not only did Nijo Castle witness the rise and fall of the Tokugawa, but the castle has also watched over changes in Japanese History."

The home of the 1^st Shogun of the Edo period (1603-1867), Nijo Castle is one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites found in Kyoto that you should not miss out. From the entrance of the castle, you can already see the grandeur of the structure.

Ninomaru Palace

Near the gate, we paid for the castle tickets then went immediately to the castle.  And we didn’t get the English voice guide system because its additional cost. By the way, I saw a Filipino family in the entrance who must have went here through a tour group. I should have followed them to have a free tour explanation of the castle. lol. Travel Tip: It's not allowed to snap photos inside. Make sure to take photos while you are still outside! And the Japanese religiously follow rules :)

Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel: A Japanese traditional living

Thousands of hotels, guesthouses, inns bed & breakfast to choose from in this must-visit city of Kyoto, but we opted to stay in a Japanese inn known as Ryokan. This type of room feature tatami-matted rooms where guests rest and sleep.

Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel is a traditional inn that offers a perfect Japanese traditional experience from the rooms to the food they served, from the lounge to the common bath area.

Hotel Entrance

Once you enter the hotel, you will immediately find a small souvenir shop selling traditional products. Just go straight a little further to find the check-in desks and the staffs would gladly help you. They were very helpful and accommodating. In fact, they provided us with a map and suggested routes on how to go around Kyoto.

Japanese wearing Yukata

Even in the hallways, you would realize the traditional feel of the hotel. Travel Tip: You have private showers in the room you can go to a public bath for everyone (onsen). Likewise, if you want a public bath experience exclusive to your family (people you are with), you can ask a staff to reserve a public bath for you. 

Kyoto Catholic Church: Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier

Wherever I am, I always make sure to attend Mass on Sundays and other Holy Days of Obligation. I may just be in town without any plans, attend seminars abroad, backpack in SouthEastAsia, or whatever, mass on Holy Days  of Obligation is always part of my schedule.

This time, I’m in Kyoto, Japan.

I attended mass in the Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier (Kawaramachi Church). It is one of the oldest churches in Japan.

Kawaramachi Church

Mandatory photo. HAHA!

Mass Schedule:

Sunday	7:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 NN (English Mass)
Monday	6:30 AM
Tuesday	6:30 AM 6:30 PM
Wednesday	6:30 AM 6:30 PM
Thursday	6:30 AM
Friday	6:30 AM 6:30 PM
Saturday	6:30 AM 6:30 PM (Anticipated Mass)

Kyoto Downtown: A Museum Itself

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

Kyoto Station Bus Stop

Tokyo Tower 東京タワ: Japan's Iconic Tower

July 8, 2012

Since we were not able to go up the observation deck of Tokyo Sky Tree, we decided to go to Tokyo Tower instead and made sure to reach the skies. So, we went straight to Tokyo Tower without any second thoughts! Or honestly, it was part of our itinerary! HAHA.

Tokyo Tower was the main broadcasting and communication tower of Japan from 1958 to 2012  (yes, 54years!) when Tokyo Sky Tree was built. Despite its 333m height, it cannot provide clear signals to TV and radio network these days due to the skyscrapers around the area (before, absolutely yes!).

We went there around 4pm, just in time to see the city before dark and before the city lights and the tower itself was lit. While walking to the tower, I can’t help but take a lot of photos just to get the perfect angle of the picturesque tower in front of me. I don’t look at the streets while walking. LOL!

Walking to the tower

Mandatory photo!

Tokyo Sky Tree: World's Tallest Tower

July 8, 2012

An itinerary to Tokyo Sky Tree is a must for a trip to Japan! However, we went to the world's tallest tower accepting the reality that we won’t be able to go up at least  350m (higher deck @ 450m) above the ground to the observation decks. We went there last July 8 and the tower opened in May 22, 2012 (less than 2months of operation). However, the observation decks were already reserved until July 11. Yes,  just 3 days, we were just ahead for 3days..

Tokyo Sky Tree (634m):

It is the tallest broadcasting tower in the world and the 2^nd tallest structure after Burj Khalifa (828.9m) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Aside from its observation deck at the 350^th flr & 450^th flr., it is also a broadcasting and communication tower for TV and radio companies in Japan.

Tokyo Sky Tree from the shops

Mandatory photo! yay!

As mentioned, we weren't able to go up but, nonetheless, we still enjoyed our trip there:

THE Sky Tree

Another mandatory shot. HAHA!

Tokyo DisneySea: Where Imagination and Adventure Set Sail

July 15, 2012.

Disney changed people’s lives. And age doesn’t matter when you’re heading to a Disney Resort. This time, it’s Tokyo Disney Sea.

Like our 22hr trip back in January 2012, we again travelled all the way from Nagano to Tokyo to visit this one-of-a-kind resort. But this time, we are staying overnight to visit both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Yay! Brace up for another adventure! This is bigger than Tokyo Disneyland!

We arrived at the resort before the park opened so we went straight to Hilton Tokyo Bay to park our things (we can’t check-in yet). My host family also decided to park the car there and take the Disney Monorail from the hotel to the resort for another experience.

At Hilton Tokyo Bay Hotel

Tokyo Disney Resort Monorail:
It’s the same with the HongKong Disneyland Rail – with Mickey windows, Mickey handles, and all the other Disney designs -- but this one is way more expensive.

Look at the ticket prices!

Tokyo Disney Sea Map:

Familiarize yourself with the entire DisneySea resort.  It has 7 main themes: Mediterranean Harbor. Mysterious Island. Mermaid Lagoon. Arabian Coast. Lost River Delta. Port Discovery. American Waterfront. Travel Tip: Make sure to get your map at hand and plan your route inside the park. You may want to take an unconventional route by starting in the 3^rd or 4^th theme. Normally, when people arrived in the park, they just do clockwise or counter-clock wise route. Start in the middle when there are still less people. Make sure to consider live performances as well!

Familiarizing myself with the park

Entrance:

Once you entered the park, you will be welcomed by the DisneySea SquaSphere , showing the model of the earth, helping you realize the body of water that surrounds us.  From this place onwards, seems like everything is a fantasy.

Welcome to Tokyo Disney Sea!

Where's the Philippines?

Spring Season: It's Sakura ~

Hello to my BLOG! HAHA! After more than a year of hiatus ;]


Last May 2013, I was in Japan for a short but a very memorable trip. One of the many experiences I had that made it memorable was the 'Sakuras' or Cherry Blossoms in english and 벚곷 in Korean sightseeing.


Once a sakura blossoms, it takes a week or even less until it withers. And since my trip was on the latter part of Spring, I didn't expect to see a parade of sakura anymore. Good thing we made a trip to Southern Nagano and saw a strip of Sakuras while plying the expressway. However, it was not our real destination..

Superhighway to Southern Nagano

And soo.. the following day, Sunday, we decided to get up early and purposely visit this parade of Sakura before heading to the 11AM Sunday Mass (Yes, wherever I go, I try my best to attend Holy Days of Obligation -- I just skip once, I think?). 

Here's the awesome place:

Sakura Heaven I

Sakura Heaven II

Backpacking: By the Numbers

34 DAYS. 7 COUNTRIES. 14 CITIES. 4.8KG BACKPACK. 6 BORDER CROSSING. 16 IMMIGRATION STAMPS. 2 AIRPLANES.  5 OVERNIGHT TRAINS. 3 BORDER BUSES. 109 TRANSIT HOURS. 13 GUESTHOUSES/FRIEND's PAD. 8 CURRENCIES.

BACKPACKING. For many Filipinos, backpacking is not in their vocabulary.  It seems like this 'thing' is not within their reach. They think that people doing it are crazy or stupid or rich. But I would say, not all.

It was once not in my vocabulary as well to do a backpacking trip. Not after one of my lady friends (yes, you read it right, a lady) have done it in SouthEastAsia. She traveled for 27days in 5countries. As an adventurer, I was inspired by her trip and thought of doing it myself too. Since I have 2months break from school, might as well do it during that time, while I'm still a student. Take note: It's a VERY shoe-string budget.

And so I made the biggest move! Reserve a plane ticket. And the next steps are: Bahala na si Batman! And so I booked a Manila - Ho Chi Minh ticket last January 20, 2012 for a flight on July 25, 2012 and Singapore - Manila on August 27, 2012. Yes, the travel dates were still far but needless to say, it's a promo ticket.  By the way, my parents knew about my idea after I booked the ticket. So they can't do anything anymore.

MY ROUTE? Philippines - Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand - Laos - Thailand - Malaysia - Singapore - Philippines. You might wonder why I visited Laos and go back again. Well.. A very good Lao friends of mine invited me to visit their country, and so I went there. And I would say I made the right decision. I really enjoyed my trip there and they totally welcomed me with open arms.

My backpacking route

MY EXPENSES?  Believe it or not, I only spent US$813 dollars or Php 35,000  for the entire trip (YES! it's not a typo error). And it includes my round trip ticket, the very expensive travel tax and terminal fee, border crossing fares, my accommodations and food, some souvenirs and some necessities during the trip (Yes, like I bought additional shirts for me in the middle). Although, it doesn't include some biscuits for my own consumption and dried mangoes as tokens to my friends, hosts or the people I met in the road (I bought it in the Philippines. haha). Indeed, it's a SHOE-STRING trip!

MY BACKPACK? You might be wondering how I fit all my things in a 4.8kg backpack. But I have clothes good for a week, long pants for my Sunday Masses (Yes, I still attend Mass every Sunday, it's a must), tokens to my friends as I've said earlier, some survival food, toiletries of course, and the most important travel things, my PASSPORT and money (I didn't have credit card, by the way).

My 4.8kg backpack

MY LIFESTYLE? I lived like a local, learned and understand their culture. I ate their food, took public transportation, walked for miles everyday. I didn't have any fancy meals (except when my friend treated me) and the souvenirs I bought was just for my dearest who allowed me to embark on this trip. HAHA!

MY COMPANION?  I was alone. Not that I'm a loner, but I can be very flexible if I travel by myself. I can follow my own pace and I don't have to worry about the others. But I met my ASEAN friends in all the countries I visited. In fact, it was one of my purpose, to meet my old friends in their homelands. And I met new people in the middle of the road. Aside from the locals, I also met people from Australians to Europeans: Italian, Germans, French, Austrian, Polish, Americans to Latin Americans, and fellow Asians like Japanese, Koreans and Chinese, to name a few.  And each of them has their own backpacking stories -- it ranges from a one week holiday to a real RTW (round the world) backpacking that lasts for months or even years (Hopefully, I can tell some of their stories next time).

Indeed, the trip was worthwhile! It definitely widened my horizon and not just think within the four corners of the classroom. It's a must try before you get your job (some even quit their job to do this; but I'm not saying you do it) or get married or with your partner, or at least before you kick the bucket. Yes, you should include it in your bucket list!  As for me, a European backpacking trip. But might do Indo-China first, it's more attainable short term ;]

Now, what do you think? It's not a leisure trip at all.