Kyoto Protocol

Day 2: Kyoto

On our second day, Ivy and I visited Kyoto, which is also located in the Kansai region. It is only a about an hour away from Osaka via train and so we went.

Kyoto is rich in history and heritage. Being the former capital of Japan from 794 to 1868 (that's more than 1,000 years!), the city features century-old temples, shrines and structures that will take you back in time. Our first stop was at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is famous for its striking orange 'torii' gates. There's about a thousand of them built next to each other over a trail that will lead you to a sacred forest. The shrine is said to be dedicated to Inari, the god of rice.

 

At the entrance of the Fushimi Inari Shrine

 

 It's said that foxes were Inari's messengers, so there are so many statues of foxes spread all over the shrine, such as this one:

But I think the main attraction of this place was really the torii gates, they were so many! and so are the tourists...

 

I think we went off course a little bit because we ended up in a forest, I think this is the sacred place! Oh no! We got transported back in time (Fushigi Yugi-style!)...

 

 

Good thing we saw this "bahay kubo" (hut) in the middle of the bamboo forest, which led us to the way out. Well, it's not really a bahay kubo. It's some sort of a quiet temple where people can pray and offer to the rice god!

On our way down from the temple, I saw another fox statue. We took some time taking a picture with the fox. Ivy told me not to move because there is something interesting happening in my background! Little did I know, there's a geisha approaching us so I took another photo, this time with her.

It was already about lunch time and we were hungry. I saw this barbecue stand along the street and I bought one stick which costs me 500 yen! Whew. That's 200 pesos for one stick! Good thing it was really delicious!

I also got these for dessert (cafe latte and a green tea ice cream sandwich):

 How I wish I could find these same items in Manila :( It was a perfect combination.

Look at how clean the river is in Kyoto:

This is pretty much the case in the entirety of Japan. How I wish Filipinos have the same culture of cleanliness like the Japanese.

Our next stop was Kiyomizudera Temple. This time we took the bus, it's my first bus experience in Japan. Don't do what I did. Back in the Philippines, whenever we take a public transportation like the jeepney, bus or train, we often fight for our lives to get a seat or a space. So since I was so excited, as soon as the bus came in, I rushed to its door. Lol. And a middle-aged lady tapped my back. She didn't say anything but pointed her finger toward the end of the line. Whew. I was so ashamed. Me and my barbaric instincts kicked in just to get inside the bus. This reminded me that Japan is a First World country. Obey the rules. Observe the norms. :)

And so we arrived at Kiyomizudera, a UNESCO world heritage site best known for its wooden temples. It is one of the oldest and most celebrated temple in Japan, having been built in 780. Kiyomizudera literally means "pure water temple".

 

Look at how many tourists visit this place! I am not afraid of heights but I got nervous for a bit when we were in the terrace because first, this temple is already more than a millennium old, second, it is a good 20-30 meters from the ground, third, the terrace is actually slant--leaning towards the cliff. I'm not sure whether that was the original design or because it is starting to succumb to the force of gravity. Unfortunately, a big portion of the temple is closed due to renovation--which led me again to think that they are 'fixing' something. But I do trust the Japanese people and their technology. Hehe!

Here's a photo of Kiyomizudera sent by a friend for better appreciation:

Here is another gate and a pagoda which welcome guests as they enter the Kiyomizudera

On our way down, a long path of traditional Japanese houses selling various stuff, from food items to souvenirs, enticed us to look around for a good bargain.

 

Ivy bought some powdered matcha (green tea) while I got some yummy pastries:

Our next stop was supposed to be Kinkakuji, a Zen temple located in Northern Kyoto, but we misread the map and we ended up realizing that we were on our way to Ginkakuji. Yes, one letter made a huge difference. Here's the thing, Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji had the same symbol on the map, which is a golden temple, but they are located on both ends. Wow. Are we contestants in Amazing Race Asia? That was one big confusion. Haha! But it's our fault anyways. We were already half-way through our ride to Ginkakuji when we realized the mixed up. So we went back to the main bus terminal at central Kyoto and took another bus that is headed to Kinkakuji with a capital K!!! Unfortunately, when we arrived at Kinkakuji at around 6:00 PM, it was already closed. (It closes at 5:00 or 5:30 PM).

This is what we missed seeing :(

Oh well, better luck next time. Oh-KKK???

(photo was sent by a Japanese friend)

We headed back to Kyoto's central bus terminal, which is strategically located next to Kyoto's train station, where we had a restroom break. This is what the 'ordinary' train station looks like:

I felt bad for the MRTs and NAIA in Manila. I really do. :(

Japan's infrastructure was just superb; the standard world-class.

And so we rode the train again going back to Osaka, where we had dinner.

Kyoto Tower at night (as seen from the bus terminal). There's so much more to see in Kyoto that one day is not enough. I suggest that if you decided to go here, stay for at least two days.

Goodbye, Kyoto!

We went home early that night for a 'magical' adventure begins the next day. Clue: Expelliarmus!

End of Day 2

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Japan, Japan!!!

It has always been my dream to go to Japan. Growing up in the Philippines, I've always watched anime! Hence, I got familiar with Japanese culture through Slam Dunk, Yuyu Hakusho (Ghost Fighter), Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, and more recently, Naruto and Death Note, to name just a few.

I went to Japan last October 10 to 19, 2015 to celebrate my birthday week. I splurged. So this travel itinerary may not be advisable when on a budget. I maximized my Visa and Master credit cards (don't do this at home, lol) on top of my JPY 80,000 pocket money.

My flight was from NAIA Manila to Osaka Kansai Airport; the flight was only 3.5 hours long and it was already 8:30 PM when we landed in Kansai. This is my first travel abroad (and alone!) after my trip to Singapore in 2009 and in the US (many years ago) and so I was extremely excited! As we were about to land, I was peeking outside my window and Osaka's skyline at night was just breathtaking to look at. "I am in Japan, I am in Japan!!! Un-be-ri-ba-be-ra (unbelievable)!"

When I got outside the airport, the cold weather dawned on me, it was already October and winter is just around the corner. I immediately saw Burger King and ordered a burger value meal as I was very hungry! At first, I was not familiar with the Japanese yen (JPY) so when the cashier gave me coins as change after I paid a 1,000 bill, I was shocked! 1,000 yen is equivalent to 400 Philippine pesos (PHP). Damn, that was an expensive burger. Well, welcome to Japan! :) 

I was going to reside in a condominium booked thru Airbnb located somewhere in Namba, Osaka. I will be meeting Ivy who is coming from Tokyo, at Namba Station--a good 45 minute-train ride from Kansai Airport (costs 930 Yen) whew! Another thousand bucks taken away from me.

During the train ride, even though it was already dark, I kept looking outside the window, carefully looking at the houses--the neighborhood--in Japan, something I only used to visualize through the countless anime series I've seen. When I got to Namba Station, Ivy was nowhere to be found. I panicked! "Oh no! What do I do now?" I got no data on my phone, no wifi access at that time. Luckily, as I was about to pick up the payphone (yes, they still have it in Japan--old-school!), I saw Ivy, we grabbed some food and took the night off.

Day 1: Osaka City Tour

Ivy and I woke up early to meet another friend of mine, Jendell, who has been in Japan for two years now. Our first stop was at Abeno Harukas, the tallest building in Japan at 984 feet (built in 2014).

And then we realized we haven't eaten breakfast yet so we grabbed some onigiri (rice + toppings wrapped in nori) at the Family Mart nearby. Wow. It's my first time to ever try onigiri in my life. It was heaven to my taste buds!

Image source: isitveganjapan.com

Our next stop was at Shinsekai, an old district in Osaka, that houses some delectable cuisines. After all, Osaka is the culinary capital of Japan. Yum!

On our way to the Osaka Castle, we chanced upon a beer festival, where we gulped gallons of beer in various flavors (okay, gallon is an overstatement). I'm feeling so lucky on my first day in Japan!

Ah at last, we arrived at the historic and scenic Osaka Castle (Osakajo), which was built in 1583 but due to wars, it was subjected to continuous destruction and countless rebuilds. Today, it remains a proud cultural tourist spot.

From the top: me posing before the bridge, the castle's gate, Jendell and Ivy by the river, and Osaka's view from the top of the castle. Osakajo is a fortress in the middle of the city surrounded by a lake designed as additional protection during the warring era.

 

Posing in front of the Osakajo; Jendell and I with a Samurai!!!

After Osakajo, we went to NHK Osaka, one of Japan's national broadcasting companies, where we toured a mini museum of television. We didn't stay here long since we can already hear our stomachs rumble.

While we were walking on the way to the restaurant, I noticed that I kept seeing this yellow lane on the sidewalk, so I asked Jendell, "What the hell are these yellow lines for?"

Jendell: "Oh, that is like a foot Braille for the blind people, so they can travel with a guide even if they are alone"----waaah!! First world problem! Solved!!! Japan is just so advanced.

So after all that walk, we rewarded ourselves at a traditional sushi house--where sushi eternally comes out from a rotating belt. Check it out: "Itedakemasu!"

I couldn't remember how much sushi I downed that lunch... All I remember is I got so full. Authentic sushi, finally!

After lunch, we went inside a mall. I can't remember its name 'cause it was connected to the underground train station, where there are plenty of boutiques. The entire passage was filled with various stores, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, etcetera.

 

Ah, first day in Japan and I got to see all these high-tech stuff; a virtual tuxedo, an electric sports car, and a robot assistant!

As the sunset was drawing near, we went up the Umeda Sky Building, where we met the cold mist and enjoyed the spectacular 360-degree view of the city.

Please excuse my emo moment at the love lock found in the rooftop: "Can you 'fill' my heart?"

When evening came, we went to our final stop for the day, the Dotonbori at Minami (Namba), where I finally got to see the famed Glico Man!

Ivy and I, munching on our authentic takoyaki.
It is less salty than what's available in the Philippines, and the octopus filling inside was quite generous as well! Wait, this is just our pre-game before the main course!

We ate at a Japanese curry restaurant, I forgot what it's called. I was too hungry to take photos at this time so I just ate. Besides, my phone was already low batt.

This is what's left of me after a long day of walking, eating and drinking:

End of day 1. Tired yet Happy

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