KANSAI TRIP - Day 01 to Arashiyama

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Arashiyama is a very beautiful place. I could still vaguely remember "The crossing Moon Bridge" when I visit Arashiyama more than 10 years  ago. There were not so many people those days compare to this trip, even though it was a weekday. 

After placing our luggage in the hotel, we walk across the road from our hotel and immediately we arrived at Shijo Omiya station, which is1st station of Randen, ie the Keifuku Arashiyama train. From here, we took the nostalgic train all the way to the last station (Arashiyama station) and reach our destination of the day. 

Upon arrival, we were fastinated by all the wonderful Kyoto scenes such as the columns of shop which display fabrics of KYOTO, momiji (maple leaves) and ginko tree and leaves, and even Kyoto food such as mochi and the triangular okashi -> how do you call it in Japanese? (which I like it very much). Even the omikuji are wrapped in paper with pattern of Japanese kimono dolls. 

We were attracted to the food at the station. First it was the Green tea mochi, then the Ramen and udon. A kind man was walking his puppies in a stroller, they were so cute. Metta was offered to carry a pup, but the pup was so scared that we had to place it back to the stroller. 

The first spot was to visit 渡月桥，to cross the bridge and take some beautiful photos. Before we could reach the bridge, we were again distracted by FOOD. This time ice cream!
Maple leaves could be seen all over Arashiyama. The best part is to see maple leaves hanging over the flowing stream. I tried my best to take some pictures. There are many people at every spot trying to take pictures and I was almost separated with the 3 of them. I know the way but they do not and they have no idea of the next spot. So again, keep walking up an down the street and finally spotted them opposite the road eating some stuffs, FOOD again! 

We walked alttile more to reach Tenryuji. This is a famous temple which no one should miss when coming to Arashiyama. 

After visiting Tenryuji and spending time picking maple leaves and  playing with our selfie stick (we were behind time). we quickly walk to our next destination, ie Bamboo Grove.
Before we reach Bamboo Grove, we were again attracted by Food shop. Sample of tea, biscults etc.. and using their washroom. Then we passed by a street stall before entering the Bamboo Grove. We had a cuppa of hot soya milk (which I think.. highly overpriced). I might have recognise the wrong stall which was recommended by the guidebook. 

It became cool once we entered the Bamboo Grove. We walked and came to Nonomiya Ginja. We then continued further into the Grove, it was time the walk took an inclined upward slope. Then we came to the Sagano train station. As we did not use the Sagano train due to time constraint, we went to the nearby lake, walked and looked at the mandarin ducks, admired the sceneries and maple leaves, and enjoying the peace from the surrounding. As the sky is turning dark early, we decided to retrack back instead of continuing our iteniery. We missed a few temples but it was OK, leave it for the next time, I was thinking. At least we managed to complete the Bamboo grove trail! 

We had a few more shot before going back to where we came from. Once we were out of the Bamboo Grove, we have to go back to Keifuku Electric Line Arashiyama station to take our train back to hotel for check in.  

 

Check in was such a breeze because our luggages had been placed in the room already. It was a spacious and nice room, tatami style which could occupy up to 6 adults.
After our check-in, we went out again for Dinner. We walked all the way from Hotel to Kawaramachi Street. It was very far, more than 1km I guess Anyway it was an experience since it was only the first night. By the time we reached, shop at Teramachi Street was mostly closed. We bought some Pao (Buta man (manju) or in Chinese 猪肉馒头/包)  at their convenience store and then decided to pay for 2 stations using subway back to hotel. 

Long and tiring day. We will explore more of Kyoto the next day.

KANSAI Trip - Day 1 Kansai Airport to Kyoto

Pikachu represents Osaka. The blue aeroplane represents Kansai International Airport.
残念ですね as we were not able to explore Kansai AP due to rushing.

JR could take us to Kyoto but they would reach Kyoto station, which we might have to change train or taxi. As we were heading towards Omiya station, we opted for Nankai Rapit.

It took us around 2 hours to reach our hotel in Kyoto. Fortunately my homework paid off, it was not that difficult except for moving 3 big luggages with 2 tired children with few transfers, we missed the first transfer at Tengachaya. The Nankai train took us 3 more stop till Namba, so we had to reverse back, therefore wasting abit of time.


Missing stop means missing express train, hence wasting time. Either you have to use the limited express or the slowest Normal train. If you understand how to transfer to different type of train to cut back on number of stopping stations, you can save on time. With children kept asking for toilet, we missed few express train and therefore had to use Normal train. Either it came we skipped or waited for the next limited express. Fortunately we boarded the express train from Awaji to Omiya station that we finally caught up with our schedule.

Our hotel was easy to find. Walked out from the correct exit, turn right, walked for 1 min and we reached.

Left our luggages with the lobby and we headed out for Arashiyama. The Keifuku station was just opposite our hotel. The 京福嵐山电车 (ie. Randen) would take us from the first station to the last station in order to reach the beautiful Arashiyama.

KANSAI TRIP - Day 1 The overnight flight

Overnight flight from Singapore Changi Airport to Haneda Airport.

We reached Haneda around 6.15am in the morning, just the right timing for sunrise and we captured beautiful picture of the ANA aeroplane we rode on from SIN to Tokyo.

This trip we touched on 4 Japan AP:
Going to Japan:  ETA Tokyo Haneda AP to take domestic flight to Kansai AP in Osaka.
Coming home: ETD Osaka Itami AP to take domestic flight back to Narita AP in Tokyo for flight back to SIN

The domestic flight was pleasant though we were almost late because of the short transit time. We were not familiar with Haneda, having to take bus from International terminal to domestic terminal with our 3 big luggages. They said that we were late but we were actually lacking of time because In the first place we did not understand why we need to collect our luggage for domestic transfer? Suppose the luggage should reach Kansai AP (final destination) straight right? Anyway, this was a little bit of hiccup.

The view on the domestic flight to Kansai AP was really marvellous. Mt Fuji could be seen on ground level. Then the plane took off and Mt Fuji could be seen from half way while ascending. Finally at a height, we could see Mt Fuji below us and the view was very interesting. We could see Mt Fuji for about 15 minutes. We could also see the horizon, the skyline.

Then the rest of the time I was sleeping. I missed the part where my husband said that the sea was very beautiful when we were about to land. Yes Kansai AP was built on a man-made land on sea.