Itinerary: Kyoto

Before every trip, it is very important to research on the places you intend to visit.   It is equally important to plot everything so that you can maximize the little time you have bearing in mind the expenses you will incur.

Let’s face it, sometimes researching for your trip can consume most of your time before your dream vacation. Of course, if you are on a tour group, they prepare everything for you.

Sharing to you my 2-day itinerary in Kyoto, Japan.

Golden Pavilion

Day 1: April 26, 2013

06:05AM – Arrival at Kyoto Station via Overnight bus from Nagano Prefecture

06:05AM – 07:00AM – Travel to Cathedral of St.Francis Xavier (We arrived on a Sunday so we decided to attend mass before going around)

07:00AM – 07:30AM – Quick tour in the church and prepare for mass

07:30AM – 08:15AM – Holy Mass

08:15AM – 09:45AM – Travel to Kyoto ShuhokakuHotel (leisure morning walk)

09:45 AM – 10:20AM – Early registration and left our luggage

10:20AM – 1!:15AM – Breakfast near hotel

11:15AM – 12:00NN – Walk from hotel to Kiyomizu-dera (including the 20min from the city streets to the main entrance)

12:00NN – 01:00PM – Explore Kiyomizu-dera

01:00PM – 01:30PM – Walk to Kodaji Temple

01:30PM – 02:15PM – Explore  Kodaji Temple, Maruyama & Yasaka Park Shring

02:15PM – 03:00PM – Explore Kyoto downtown and Gion area

03:00PM – 03:30PM – Travel to Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel

03:30PM – 05:00PM – Check in and Rest (Eat snacks from convenience store)

05:00PM – 06:00PM – Travel to Kyoto University (I visited a place near the university)

06:00PM – 06:30PM – Met with the Director of the place

06:30PM – 07:30PM – Travel back to the Hotel

07:30PM – 08:30PM – Rest

08:30PM – 09:30PM – Special Kaiseki dinner at the Hotel

09:30PM – 10:30PM – Wash up! Prepare for tomorrow

Day 2: April 27, 2013

06:00AM – 07:00AM – Wake up! Prepare ~

07:00AM – 07:40AM – Hearty breakfast at the Hotel

07:40AM – 08:15AM – Pack things (We leave the hotel at night so we need to check-out early)

08:15AM – 09:00AM – Travel to Kinkakuji

09:00AM – 10:15AM – Explore Kinkakuji (GoldenPavilion)

10:15AM – 11:00AM – Travel to Ryoanji

11:00AM – 11:45AM – Explore Ryoanji

11:45AM – 12:30PM – Travel to Nijo-jo

12:30PM – 01:45PM – Explore Nijo-jo (Nijo Castle)

01:45PM – 03:00PM – Lunch and Rest! (We walked a lot!)

03:00PM – 03:30PM – Continue to stroll to Imperial Palace

03:30PM – 04:15PM – Explore Imperial Palace

04:15PM – 04:30PM – Travel to Gion area

04:30PM – 06:00PM – Explore Gion at night and bought some souvenirs

06:00PM – 06:20PM – Go back to Hotel

06:20PM – 06:30PM – Just grab our luggage!

06:30PM – 07:00PM – Travel to Kyoto Station

07:00PM – 07:40PM – Explore Kyoto Station

07:40PM – 08:30PM – Dinner at McDonalds in Kyoto Station

08:30PM – 09:30PM – Rest

09:30PM – 10:30PM – Went to the bus, board and rest again!

10:30PM – Departure!

That’s it for my Kyoto trip. It was very short so I just visited the major destinations in town.

This is just a simple guide to help you plan your Kyoto escapade. Feel free to modify my itinerary according to your interest and schedule.

If you have more time in Kyoto, you can explore other places: (not a complete list)

Ginkaku-ji – Silver Pavilion. Arashiyama.. Shugakuin Imperial Villa. Tenryu-ji. Kamigamo & Shimogamo Shrines. Mount. Kurama. Kyoto National Museum.

Enjoy your Kyoto trip!

Kyoto | Imperial Palace: The Emperor's Residence

April 27, 2013

To conclude our Kyoto trip, we went to Kyoto Imperial Palace, ‘just walking distance from Nijo-jo,’ according to many Japanese. But this doesn't mean 5min walk. Aha. Just like in other developed countries, a 20-30min walk is a norm for them. Just to make things clear, its around 2.8km from Nijo Castle. Now, it’s for you to decide if you want to walk.

In our case, we walked from the castle to the palace. I’m good with the walk given the cool weather and pleasant view, including traces of Cherry Blossoms. I also enjoyed observing Japanese lifestyle and culture.

Kyoto Imperial Palace was the home of the country’s Emperor until 1868, when they transferred to Tokyo Imperial Palace (been there in 2009). 

Imperial Palace Main Gate

Kyoto | Kinkaku-ji: Golden Pavilion in Nature

April 27, 2013

First thing on the list in our 2^nd and last day in Kyoto – my number 1 place to visit, Golden Pavilion – Kinkaku-ji. It’s arguably the most famous temple in Kyoto and even in the country.  Make sure to visit the place to understand its magnificent beauty. A perfect place for reflection of what you have done with your life. HAHA!

After freshening up and a hearty breakfast, we immediately went to Kinkaku-ji. I was very excited to see the temple that I woke up early and researched some fun facts to appreciate the structure more. Travel Tip: It’s good to read prior before visiting a place to know its value. Reminder to self: Read, and not just pure photos!

The entrance to the temple was already very inviting because it was perfectly maintained. You can already feel a serene ambiance leading to the main temple. The locals and tourists were also very disciplined. Who would dare throwing rubbish here?

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