Japan Trip Sept 2016 - Kyoto & Osaka
Kyoto & Osaka Sept 2016
2nd Sept to 9th Sept
Day 0-1
Friday 2nd Sept to Saturday 3rd Sept
SG to Kyoto, GION and Kyoto Tower
Since it was a Friday and our flight was at night did laundry first that morning. After which did one last round of checking that everything is packed and in order, went out of the house at about 9 PM. Headed towards the airport and went to get the Wi-Fi router first before checking in. While waiting to check in was given a surprise by a colleague. Singapore is indeed too small. We only have one airport anyway. Also after checking in bumped into 2 other people, the sisters we went to Korea with. Like wow. Anyway, after all the greetings and catching up, went through immigrations.
Since there was still some time, went to get some late night drink and snack at coffee bean. After some ladies stuff, went in for our flight. Flew and landed safely at Kansai International Airport (KIX). However again there was meal issue for our flight. Haiz... Terrible. Couldn't eat properly and ended up in terrible pain and vomiting after landing. Felt so sick.
So got breakfast first to cure myself, bought tickets to OTOMATE CAFE and went to get the rail pass. With that pass took the HARUKA express to Kyoto. Headed over to the hotel, was a bit early for check-in so had to wait a while but the hotel had good service and allowed us to check-in early. Like thank you so much. So went to our room and rested.
Went around the hotel area first and had some drinks while my sis wanted the cards that came with it. Then head out to GION and walked around the area. The first thing we had to do was climb up a steep slope. The uphill climb was WOW and we were really panting once we reached the top but the trip downwards was a breeze. There were a lot of people there so it was busy and crowded. Well can't be helped since it is a tourist spot and it was a Saturday. So did our sight-seeing, taking picture and buying stuffs. We couldn't find the right bus stop but we were lucky enough to find a different one and grab the last bus to Kyoto Station.
We then went up Kyoto Tower and spend a good long while up there. Checked out the sights from up above before heading back down and back to our hotel.
Day 2
Sunday 4th Sept
Arashiyama, Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Woke up and got ready. And yes breakfast is served in the hotel breakfast room. It was a breakfast set with rice and side dishes. They even have boiled tofu and all. YUM YUM. Really enjoyed the breakfast and was ready for the day.
Went off to Arashiyama for sight-seeing. Bought the tickets for the sight-seeing train ride. Then walked down the area and stopped for some shaved ice before heading down to the bridge. Took pictures and headed down towards the bamboo grove. It was a long up hill and downhill walk. Tried to get nice photos of the bamboo grove but because there were a lot of people, couldn't get a nice photo where there was no one around. It being a Sunday just made it worse, too many people around. Oh well. Then made our way to the train station and took the sight-seeing ride. It was very cooling ride on that open air train.
Then we had to walk a distance to the next train station that will take us to the station that is nearest the Toei Kyoto Studio Park. Walked a distance to the Park, got our tickets and went in. Took plenty of photos and went to as many shows as we can. Then we also ate a lot, shaved ice, drank ramune, and ate parfait and cake. After all that headed back to Kyoto.
Did our shopping in the area and bought anime stuffs as usual. Did quite a bit of damage to my wallet during this shopping. But it was worth my money. Shouldn’t feel any regret since I can't get these items in SG.
Day 3
Monday 5th Sept
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Manga Museum, Nishiki Market
Woke up late, must have been all the exercise that we did the day before. Ate the same breakfast as the morning before. But somehow I don't mind it at all.
Head out to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Climb up but didn't go all the way. Took pictures and did a kuji as usual whenever we are at a shrine.
Then we went to the Kyoto Manga Museum where we sat down to have some manga reading time. But the thing we did here that was the most worthwhile is the Tsukiuta Gacha. It was amazing that we got all 12 characters without any overlapping. YEAH! Before leaving we ate some manga parfait at the museum cafe.
Nishiki market is next and here we did nothing but shop. My poor wallet. We went Animate, Rashingban, Tora no ana, Wego and an anime shop that we found by accident. We also went for a short stop at Animate Cafe that had a Card Captor Sakura Collab.
While we were trying to find Animate, an old uncle talked to us and asked whether we needed help. We didn't and thanked him nicely but he continue to ask us all kind of questions and we answered to our best ability and then he started talking about his trip to SG and all then at the end he kind of gave us a lecture and told us to buck up our Japanese. Oh well what an experience.
Retired early since we needed to pack so that we can move on to the next hotel the next day.
Day 4
Tuesday 6th Sept
Tennouji, Nara
Woke up real early so that we can make a move to Osaka placed our bags at the hotel lobby service and make it on time for the Otomate Cafe in Tennouji.
Our last breakfast at the hotel was indeed eaten in appreciation for the food that was served. And that morning there was this young waiter who wasn't there the previous 2 mornings. He was good looking in my books. Can't help but look at him once in a while. HAHA. That breakfast was really good. Hee hee.
Went we reached Tennouji it was a bit too early so we decided to spend some time at BOOK-OFF and refreshed ourselves at the hotel lobby toilet.
OTOMATE CAFE was awesome!!! We really ate a lot and drank a lot. The service was awesome too. And the best part is the place was really empty and quite so we could really enjoy our time there. The TV were showing all the OTOMATE games and I really enjoyed looking at those CMs. Before leaving the shop, bought a few OTOMATE items.
Then went shopping at Tennouji's Animate and Rashingban. And as you know whenever I do my shopping at anime shops, I spent a lot.
With all the shopping stuffs packed in our extra tote bag, we head on to Nara to see the deer. It took some time to reach NARA and by the time we reached there it was already 4 PM. But we spent the time there looking at them nonetheless and we were really surprised at how close they can be. Scary but kind of cute.
There was this rickshaw puller who was so persistent in getting us to ride his rickshaw but we didn't. It was interesting talking to him and he was sweet talking us all the way. And his jokes were not funny.
We went to the museum to get some rest and use the toilet. But when we came out it was pouring heavily. So we stayed at the museum till it looked like we can go out. But we couldn't wait long and went out when we saw that the rain wasn't so heavy. We still got wet anyway and took the bus back to Nara Station. It was a long ride but oh well...
Reached the hotel, checked in and rested.
Day 5
Wednesday 7th Sept
Namba, Umeda
There is no breakfast for this hotel so had to eat in the room itself. Got ready and took our time to reach Namba sweet paradise. Spent about 70 mins there enjoying the dessert bar and the B-PRO collab dishes. It was awesome.
Went to the cashier and wanted to buy some stuff, there were other ladies there and they were kind of hogging the area. Had to squeeze myself to get the items I want and then when I wanted to queue to pay, they were in front of me so I let them pay first.
They were talking loudly and excitedly but somehow after they turned around and saw me and my sis, they kind of turned silent. I wonder why. What did we do? Maybe they heard us talk in English? Weird. But oh well, we already know that female otakus in Japan are scary.
Both of the coasters that we got are something that the girls on the table next to us wanted. Lucky we kept it before they could see it and ask for an exchange since we wanted those characters as well.
After all that desserts, we went shopping again. Animate, mandarake, Rashingban, k-books and all. We searched for ANIMAX CAFE but it closed down so we went to Princess Cafe instead. And guess what the collab there is Scared Rider Xechs so it was worth the visit.
Rested there a while before heading back to Umeda for more shopping before heading back to the hotel to pack like a crazy woman.
Day 6-7
Thursday 8th Sept to Friday 9th Sept
Umeda to SG
Woke up lazily and got ready. Last minute check and pack. Check-out of hotel at 12 noon and placed bag at the lobby service again. Then walked around the area for last minute shopping. Went to Johnny's shop and bought more Johnny's shop photos. Also ate lunch at the shop near Animate. Ate toast and sandwiches and it was yum yum.
Went back to hotel to get bags and head over to the train station to take the express service to the airport. Ate udon and then got ready for check-in. After check-in went down to slack and get some fresher air. Somehow the air at KIX is causing me to feel sick.
Again the airport police approached us. We are starting to feel discriminated as this happened before. Haiz. Once it's time, we went in for our flight. And off to SG. This time made sure we have our halal meal and I totally slept throughout the flight.
From next year on, I think we can only travel once a year.
2nd Sept to 9th Sept
Day 0-1
Friday 2nd Sept to Saturday 3rd Sept
SG to Kyoto, GION and Kyoto Tower
Since it was a Friday and our flight was at night did laundry first that morning. After which did one last round of checking that everything is packed and in order, went out of the house at about 9 PM. Headed towards the airport and went to get the Wi-Fi router first before checking in. While waiting to check in was given a surprise by a colleague. Singapore is indeed too small. We only have one airport anyway. Also after checking in bumped into 2 other people, the sisters we went to Korea with. Like wow. Anyway, after all the greetings and catching up, went through immigrations.
Since there was still some time, went to get some late night drink and snack at coffee bean. After some ladies stuff, went in for our flight. Flew and landed safely at Kansai International Airport (KIX). However again there was meal issue for our flight. Haiz... Terrible. Couldn't eat properly and ended up in terrible pain and vomiting after landing. Felt so sick.
So got breakfast first to cure myself, bought tickets to OTOMATE CAFE and went to get the rail pass. With that pass took the HARUKA express to Kyoto. Headed over to the hotel, was a bit early for check-in so had to wait a while but the hotel had good service and allowed us to check-in early. Like thank you so much. So went to our room and rested.
Went around the hotel area first and had some drinks while my sis wanted the cards that came with it. Then head out to GION and walked around the area. The first thing we had to do was climb up a steep slope. The uphill climb was WOW and we were really panting once we reached the top but the trip downwards was a breeze. There were a lot of people there so it was busy and crowded. Well can't be helped since it is a tourist spot and it was a Saturday. So did our sight-seeing, taking picture and buying stuffs. We couldn't find the right bus stop but we were lucky enough to find a different one and grab the last bus to Kyoto Station.
We then went up Kyoto Tower and spend a good long while up there. Checked out the sights from up above before heading back down and back to our hotel.
Day 2
Sunday 4th Sept
Arashiyama, Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Woke up and got ready. And yes breakfast is served in the hotel breakfast room. It was a breakfast set with rice and side dishes. They even have boiled tofu and all. YUM YUM. Really enjoyed the breakfast and was ready for the day.
Went off to Arashiyama for sight-seeing. Bought the tickets for the sight-seeing train ride. Then walked down the area and stopped for some shaved ice before heading down to the bridge. Took pictures and headed down towards the bamboo grove. It was a long up hill and downhill walk. Tried to get nice photos of the bamboo grove but because there were a lot of people, couldn't get a nice photo where there was no one around. It being a Sunday just made it worse, too many people around. Oh well. Then made our way to the train station and took the sight-seeing ride. It was very cooling ride on that open air train.
Then we had to walk a distance to the next train station that will take us to the station that is nearest the Toei Kyoto Studio Park. Walked a distance to the Park, got our tickets and went in. Took plenty of photos and went to as many shows as we can. Then we also ate a lot, shaved ice, drank ramune, and ate parfait and cake. After all that headed back to Kyoto.
Did our shopping in the area and bought anime stuffs as usual. Did quite a bit of damage to my wallet during this shopping. But it was worth my money. Shouldn’t feel any regret since I can't get these items in SG.
Day 3
Monday 5th Sept
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Manga Museum, Nishiki Market
Woke up late, must have been all the exercise that we did the day before. Ate the same breakfast as the morning before. But somehow I don't mind it at all.
Head out to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Climb up but didn't go all the way. Took pictures and did a kuji as usual whenever we are at a shrine.
Then we went to the Kyoto Manga Museum where we sat down to have some manga reading time. But the thing we did here that was the most worthwhile is the Tsukiuta Gacha. It was amazing that we got all 12 characters without any overlapping. YEAH! Before leaving we ate some manga parfait at the museum cafe.
Nishiki market is next and here we did nothing but shop. My poor wallet. We went Animate, Rashingban, Tora no ana, Wego and an anime shop that we found by accident. We also went for a short stop at Animate Cafe that had a Card Captor Sakura Collab.
While we were trying to find Animate, an old uncle talked to us and asked whether we needed help. We didn't and thanked him nicely but he continue to ask us all kind of questions and we answered to our best ability and then he started talking about his trip to SG and all then at the end he kind of gave us a lecture and told us to buck up our Japanese. Oh well what an experience.
Retired early since we needed to pack so that we can move on to the next hotel the next day.
Day 4
Tuesday 6th Sept
Tennouji, Nara
Woke up real early so that we can make a move to Osaka placed our bags at the hotel lobby service and make it on time for the Otomate Cafe in Tennouji.
Our last breakfast at the hotel was indeed eaten in appreciation for the food that was served. And that morning there was this young waiter who wasn't there the previous 2 mornings. He was good looking in my books. Can't help but look at him once in a while. HAHA. That breakfast was really good. Hee hee.
Went we reached Tennouji it was a bit too early so we decided to spend some time at BOOK-OFF and refreshed ourselves at the hotel lobby toilet.
OTOMATE CAFE was awesome!!! We really ate a lot and drank a lot. The service was awesome too. And the best part is the place was really empty and quite so we could really enjoy our time there. The TV were showing all the OTOMATE games and I really enjoyed looking at those CMs. Before leaving the shop, bought a few OTOMATE items.
Then went shopping at Tennouji's Animate and Rashingban. And as you know whenever I do my shopping at anime shops, I spent a lot.
With all the shopping stuffs packed in our extra tote bag, we head on to Nara to see the deer. It took some time to reach NARA and by the time we reached there it was already 4 PM. But we spent the time there looking at them nonetheless and we were really surprised at how close they can be. Scary but kind of cute.
There was this rickshaw puller who was so persistent in getting us to ride his rickshaw but we didn't. It was interesting talking to him and he was sweet talking us all the way. And his jokes were not funny.
We went to the museum to get some rest and use the toilet. But when we came out it was pouring heavily. So we stayed at the museum till it looked like we can go out. But we couldn't wait long and went out when we saw that the rain wasn't so heavy. We still got wet anyway and took the bus back to Nara Station. It was a long ride but oh well...
Reached the hotel, checked in and rested.
Day 5
Wednesday 7th Sept
Namba, Umeda
There is no breakfast for this hotel so had to eat in the room itself. Got ready and took our time to reach Namba sweet paradise. Spent about 70 mins there enjoying the dessert bar and the B-PRO collab dishes. It was awesome.
Went to the cashier and wanted to buy some stuff, there were other ladies there and they were kind of hogging the area. Had to squeeze myself to get the items I want and then when I wanted to queue to pay, they were in front of me so I let them pay first.
They were talking loudly and excitedly but somehow after they turned around and saw me and my sis, they kind of turned silent. I wonder why. What did we do? Maybe they heard us talk in English? Weird. But oh well, we already know that female otakus in Japan are scary.
Both of the coasters that we got are something that the girls on the table next to us wanted. Lucky we kept it before they could see it and ask for an exchange since we wanted those characters as well.
After all that desserts, we went shopping again. Animate, mandarake, Rashingban, k-books and all. We searched for ANIMAX CAFE but it closed down so we went to Princess Cafe instead. And guess what the collab there is Scared Rider Xechs so it was worth the visit.
Rested there a while before heading back to Umeda for more shopping before heading back to the hotel to pack like a crazy woman.
Day 6-7
Thursday 8th Sept to Friday 9th Sept
Umeda to SG
Woke up lazily and got ready. Last minute check and pack. Check-out of hotel at 12 noon and placed bag at the lobby service again. Then walked around the area for last minute shopping. Went to Johnny's shop and bought more Johnny's shop photos. Also ate lunch at the shop near Animate. Ate toast and sandwiches and it was yum yum.
Went back to hotel to get bags and head over to the train station to take the express service to the airport. Ate udon and then got ready for check-in. After check-in went down to slack and get some fresher air. Somehow the air at KIX is causing me to feel sick.
Again the airport police approached us. We are starting to feel discriminated as this happened before. Haiz. Once it's time, we went in for our flight. And off to SG. This time made sure we have our halal meal and I totally slept throughout the flight.
From next year on, I think we can only travel once a year.