Chhavi and I wen to Japan on a much needed vacation in October 2024. She wanted to go to Disneyland anywhere in the world. We have been to Hong Kong before. I have been to Paris with my sister, so I was not too keen to go back. US visa is way too complicated and it is too far away. So, we checked Japan and it worked for us. She got Disneyland and I got everything else in Tokyo and Kyoto!
I read many online travel related discussions. I always wondered why people say they found a strong connection in another country. But now I understand, it happened to me finally. I totally fell in love with Japan! I have never thought of a place daily the way I think of Japan! We went to Tokyo and Kyoto and though I loved both I will start with Kyoto first as it is the smaller city, which appeals to me more.
Kinkaku Ji Temple
Kinkaku Ji Temple is a Buddhist temple nestled in a serene complex. It is a pleasure to walk around it. It goes in a circle and when you start moving away from the temple you can’t come back. So take your time to soak it in before you walk away. I feel I walked away too quickly. I wanted to go back but it was one way foot traffic. As you exit the premises there are small shops selling souvenirs. Do look around and enjoy your time.
Kiyomizu Dera
Kiyomizu Dera is another Buddhist Shrine in Kyoto. The compound is larger than Kinkaku Ji so we spent more time exploring the place. The view from the balcony of the temple, as you see in the picture above, is amazing. The walk up and down the temple complex complex is full of souvenir shops and eating joints. Do budget some time for a leisurely stroll around.
Maiko Dance Performance
We managed to catch a Maiko Dance Performance via the Sky Hop Bus. In Japan attractions and performances get sold out. We did one day Kyoto Tour on the Sky Hop Bus and realized that they have tickets for a Maiko performance on the same evening. We went to the Shozan Resort for dinner and a performance. Both Chhavi and I loved it. A word of caution for vegeratians, they don’t have a veg option for the dinner!
Sagano Romantic Train Ride
The Sagano Romantic train ride goes over the Hozu River. It covers a distance of 7 kilometers in about 25 minutes. We did a return ticket, so we came back by the same train. The train starts from Saga Station and ends at Kameoka Station. We had 2 hours at Kameoka, we just walked around the beautiful surroundings!
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
We got down at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Station from the Sagano Romantic Train while coming back. Of course, the forest area is beautiful. We were there in the evening and the main stretch was full of tourists like me. It was still beautiful but don’t go expecting it to be empty like the pictures!
Nishiki Market, Kyoto
Nishiki Market was walking distance from my hotel! We stayed at the Ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo. As it was close we went there twice. It is local market with small shops on both the sides. You can enjoy local food and drinks specially fish. Chhavi tried Grilled Oyster in the market and enjoyed it. At the end of the market is a Buddhist Temple too.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine at night as it is open 24 hours. It was so peaceful. There were only a few tourists and it was possible to click pictures without anyone in it. But we did it at the end of our last day at Kyoto and we could not explore much.
The temple was at the entrance of Fushimi Inari Shrine and you can see it was relatively empty. I will love to return to Kyoto and explore it more.
Kyoto City
Chhavi bought a Kimono in Kyoto and we could put it together with the help of YouTube videos. She had a gala time wearing it around the city. A lot of tourists wear Kimonos and there are shops that can do it for you. We had a beautiful time in Japan. And I fell totally in love with it!
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