Travel / Japan

Japan (Day 8) – Kyoto, Part 1

By Veron Ang | Tags #Kyoto

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(Note: Bumper crop of images — almost 60 of them!)

Early in the morning I had to leave Tokyo for Kyoto, where I would be spending the next two days with xanthe! To reach Kyoto I would take the super high-speed bullet train from Tokyo station. I had never been on a bullet train before so I was looking forward to it. In Japan, the bullet train is referred to as “Shinkansen”.

In general, I tend to dislike asking for directions. Instead I would prefer navigating around on my own. The only thing is that the Shinkansen line at Tokyo station has about a gazillion different platforms and I ended up on the wrong platform! In the end I had to seek help at the information counter. Lesson learned: always ask for directions when you have heavy luggage and a large Hello Kitty cushion in tow!

Route from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Tokaido Shinkansen line

Three kinds of bullet train ply the tokaido Shinkansen line from Tokyo to shin-Osaka (kyoto lies along this route). My rail pass allowed me to take the hikari train, which I did at 11:06am.

Train schedule

Every hour, two hikari trains operate on this route. Each train travels as quickly as 300 kilometers per hour. At that speed, it would take me less than 3 hours to get to Kyoto!

Hikari, a Shinkansen bullet train

They had stalls selling bento sets on the train platforms. I got myself an unajuu (eel and rice) set.

Unajuu

One for the road!

At that point I was pretty sad to be leaving Tokyo. The time I spent there had been so wonderful and memorable! With my ipod earphones plugged in, I felt doubly melancholic.

Youtube link (Soundtrack: John Mayer – Clarity)

The video above was taken just as the train was departing Tokyo station.

Interesting electronics building

The train made a few stops along the way. I noticed this interesting building at one of the stops (nagoya, I think). It had many well-known brands of electronics and technology products arranged neatly on its facade.

My colorful Indian bangles

My colorful Indian bangles!

Youtube link (Soundtrack: Alicia keys – Caged Bird)

The train ride was a good one. It allowed me to see the more rural side of Japan with all its small houses and vast fields of greenery. What a stark contrast this was from the metropolitan Tokyo that I had been seeing for the past 7 days!

I reached Kyoto after 2 hours and 40 minutes! This shiny building is Kyoto station. It is the most important transportation hub in Kyoto where people can take the railway, subway or bus.

Kyoto Station

At the station, I found interest in a couple of food stores while waiting for xanthe to arrive.

Colorful bento sets

The bento sets were so detailed and elaborate!

Colorful candy

Then it was time to head to our hotel. We had booked our accommodation a month prior to our arrival, and clean forgot that it was within walking distance to Kyoto station! Yay! What convenience!

My bed in our hotel room in Kyoto, with my Hello Kitty cushion

The moment we opened the door to our hotel room, we were pleasantly surprised by how cosy it was! Our beds had beautiful comforters and bedding. My Hello Kitty cushion looked right at home!

Built-in boiling device

We also found an interesting boiling device in the room; it was built right into the table!

By the time we settled down it was already late afternoon. We had just one and a half days in Kyoto — time to hit the streets!

Maze of overhead wires

On our way to the hotel earlier I had spotted some wooden houses from afar. Kyoto is formerly the capital of Japan and well-known for having such traditional wooden houses.

Traditional wooden houses in Kyoto

So on one side you get a bustling city scene with tall buildings and busy roads; on the other side you get a peaceful area rich in tradition that looks a completely different world!

Traditional wooden house in Kyoto

We spent the next half hour walking through the lanes and alleys and admiring the houses!

Wooden nameplates outside a door in Kyoto

Wooden nameplates outside a door. It seems there were a few people or households living beyond that door.

Traditional wooden house in Kyoto

This house looked so quaint!

Traditional wooden houses in Kyoto

Traditional wooden house in Kyoto

My favorite is this particularly sweet-looking house! It might have been an eatery or something.

Shops in Kyoto

A row of shops lining the streets of Kyoto. They share the same traditional look as well.

Big bottles in glass cabinet display

Big-ass bottles. What are they, sake? Shochu?

Japanese wearing Yukata, a summer garment

Japanese girls wearing colorful yukata, which is a more casual form of kimono worn during summer. This was a very common sight; people would wear these out on the streets, to the malls, etc.

Buddhist temple in Kyoto

Kyoto is home to 2000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines!

Buddhist temple in Kyoto

This was the first temple that we visited as it was within walking distance from our hotel.

Public flowers

Pretty flowers by the road!

Back in Tokyo, our main form of transport was the subway and the occasional indecently-priced cab rides; we never rode the bus once. But here in Kyoto, the bus system was so intuitive and uncomplicated that it became the only form of transport that we used! (this is the bus route map that we used over the two days, with illustrations and color coded bus routes!)

Notice anything out of the norm in this photograph below?

Passengers boarding a public bus in Kyoto

All passengers board the bus at the back and alight at the front!

Diagram of a public bus in Kyoto

Regardless of the distance traveled, each bus ride costs ¥220 for adults (that’s about 3 bucks). Passengers would pay their fares at the front of the bus (where the driver can get a clear view) just before they alight. That explains the unusual arrangement of the bus!

Kiyomizuzaka

We took the bus to an area called “higashiyama”. Our main purpose there was to visit the famous Buddhist temple, kiyomizu-dera, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was located really far off from the main road. We had to take a long walk on kiyomizuzaka, an upward-sloping lane lined with souvenir shops and eateries on both sides.

Green tea shaved ice dessert

A little shaved ice dessert to send us along our way. When you’re in Japan, you have to go for the green tea flavor! And the vanilla ice cream? That’s just good sense. (count the number of ice cream in this post! People with the correct answer get to treat me to real ice cream! Haha!)

Main gate at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

Here we are! The renowned kiyomizu-dera!

Main gate at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

Its intricate red and white main gate.

Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

Purification fountain where visitors rinse their hands

Before entering the main praying area, visitors are supposed to rinse their hands at the purification fountain.

Purification fountain where visitors rinse their hands

Or here too.

Purification fountain where visitors rinse their hands

Pagoda peeking through the tree canopy

Vast forest beyond the temple. Can you spot the pagoda?

Stage used for performances at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

An outdoor stage used for performances, like the one at the Shinto shrine I visited in Day 5. Temples and shrines, they all look the same after a while don’t they?

Outdoor stage at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

Wishes written on wooden plates at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

The veranda at the top of this staircase is supported by hundreds of pillars and juts out over the hillside. From here you can enjoy a sweeping view of the entire city of Kyoto!

Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto in the evening

Beautiful!

Kiyomizu-dera at sunset

Following the temple visit, we took a stroll down the quaint kiyomizuzaka slope that we passed earlier.

Souvenir shop

This must be a hot-spot for tourists because there were numerous souvenir shops, each one selling the same stuff as the next.

Japanese toys

Hello Kitty in kimono plush toy

Did I not tell ya? The Japanese are crazy about Hello Kitty!

Lanterns

More ice cream! We opted for black sesame and purple bubblegum flavors this time round.

Sesame and bubblegum ice cream

Yummy! I never thought I would like black sesame ice cream (the color alone has always turned me off)!

Japanese toys

Cute figurines of geishas.

Porcelain animal figurines

More cute figurines! These were handcrafted porcelain ones of animals!

Porcelain animal figurines

Kawaii!

Remember the cute car we spotted in shibuya back in Tokyo? This is the one:

Cute car

Well, as luck would have it, we spotted another one of it right there in Kyoto, parked next to a traditional wooden house!

Me posing next to cute car

Tee-hee!

White Lover Café & Restaurant

Towards the end of the slope this white-colored restaurant caught our eye. Many Japanese restaurants have plastic food replicas displayed on the outside that are really useful for people that don’t speak Japanese (remember my food ordering process in Day 1?).

White Lover Café & Restaurant

These particular food replicas looked entirely different from the usual plastic ones we saw. They appeared to be hand-painted and made out of clay! For some reason that was enough to attract us to have our dinner there!

White Lover Café & Restaurant

There was no other customer and it continued that way throughout the entire duration of our meal.

Dwarf figurines

Dwarf figurines by the window.

Uniquely-designed menu with text that looked like they had all been painstakingly written.

Pork cutlet

Pork cutlet with a little mound of noodle.

Chicken steak in teriyaki sauce & breaded prawn

Chicken steak in teriyaki sauce and breaded prawn.

Then it was time to head back.

Coffee Jelly

But not before having a little coffee jelly (with ice cream) at caffe veloce, a café near our hotel. Yummy!

Also in this series

Japan (Day 1) - Arrival in Tokyo Japan (Day 1) – Arrival in Tokyo
Japan (Day 2) - Tokyo Disneyland Japan (Day 2) – Tokyo Disneyland
Japan (Day 3) - Shibuya, Gay Parade & Ginza Japan (Day 3) – Shibuya, Gay Parade & Ginza
Japan (Day 4) - Shibuya & Tokyo Tower Japan (Day 4) – Shibuya & Tokyo Tower
Japan (Day 5) - Harajuku Japan (Day 5) – Harajuku
Japan (Day 6) - Sanrio Puroland & Takahatafudo Japan (Day 6) – Sanrio Puroland & Takahatafudo
Japan (Day 7) - Marunouchi, Sony Building & Odaiba Japan (Day 7) – Marunouchi, Sony Building & Odaiba
Japan (Day 9) - Kyoto, Part 2 Japan (Day 9) – Kyoto, Part 2
Japan (Day 10) - Ueno Japan (Day 10) – Ueno
Japan (Day 11) - Homebound Japan (Day 11) – Homebound

For more on Sparklette:

About the Author

Veron Ang is the founder and chief editor of Sparklette. She lives in Singapore and has dined and traveled across the world. She also runs Sparklette Studio, a web design and WordPress development firm. If you'd like to connect with her, head on over to the contact page or follow her personal updates on Twitter: @VeronSG.

Japan (Day 7) – Marunouchi, Sony Building & Odaiba

Japan (Day 9) – Kyoto, Part 2

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26 responses

Leave your comment

Ken
August 30, 2007

Very nice! I’m surprised that Kyoto is only 3 hrs by shinkansen. I did not get the chance to ride the shinkansen; perhaps next time.

Were the people aboard the shinkansen very quiet? I noticed that when I took a private train (by accident, because we wanted to take the JR), that one guy had “shushhed” me and the train was very quiet. No cell phones, no one talking, etc.

Kyoto is not what I expected, based on your pictures. I thought it was very nature-like, with very few buildings.

Your pictures of the plastic food displays makes me miss Japan SOOOO much! I miss how polite everyone is, and how they greet you with “irasshaimase!” when you walk in to a store or restaurant.

Your Hello Kitty pillow is so kawaii! It looks like Hello Kitty is sleeping in your bed.
Reply
Veron
August 31, 2007

It was shorter than 3 hours actually. The bullet train was really fast!

The Shinkansen wasn’t that quiet because it was packed with foreigners! There were conversations going on at times but in general, it was still much quieter than any other train I have been on.

Notice that on subway trains even, you hardly hear the phone ring. Not even an SMS! With incoming calls, people would simply not answer them. My friend who’s working in Tokyo told me that even when the trains are packed during the morning rush hours, it would still be silent.

I expected Kyoto to have many of these wooden houses in addition to being a modern city. On my way there on the Shinkansen I did spot those nature-like areas you’re talking about, with sparse buildings and all. They were the neighboring prefectures or something. We wanted to go check it out but again, we ran out of time!

There is just so much to see in Japan, I doubt that even a whole year would be enough!
Reply
Kevin
August 31, 2007

Japan is just so much fun! I wanted to go Tokyo before heading back to Buffalo, but alas no time. Interesting how the culture is so diverse for a rather homogeneous country… how it’s modern yet respectful of traditional beliefs (e.g. not answering cellphones in subway). Great multi-sensory travelogue you’ve produced Ms. V!
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walter
August 31, 2007

Wow, you sure blew away all our pathetic attempts at capturing holiday experiences with this series of gorgeous photographs, witty captions and brilliant posts! I love Japan and have been there 3 times already and counting. For my trip to Melbourne (starting tonight…hehe), I’ll aspire to put up some nice photo heavy post like this…. *deep bow*
Reply
hawk
August 31, 2007

Hi, nice pics out there for kyoto and Tokyo…
I stopped by Tokyo recently for 3 days….can’t believe you missed Tsukiji…the tuna auction and sushi there is fantastic. Do make a trip there next time. Me and my wife are planning our next trip to kyoto and osaka now…
Keep up the good work, enjoy reading your blog…

Very valuable and enjoyable research material for the next trip hehe…

P.S. The big ass bottles are sake I think. The bigger more well known brands…
Reply
lorewang
August 31, 2007

hi veron, how much you paid for your 11 days japan trip?

your pictures are so tempting for me to go there holiday. would be trying their sakura season next year :-)
Reply
Veron
August 31, 2007

Kevin: Thanks! Your highly interactive blog with all the interesting photos and videos are what inspired me to come up with a “multi-sensory” travelogue, as you call it. Otherwise it would simply be just photos and text.

walter: Hey! My bro is leaving for Melbourne tonight too! You guys may end up catching the same flight.

hawk: The Tsukiji fish market was actually part of our planned itinerary but we left it out in the end; there wasn’t time! The next time I go to Tokyo again I would be there!

lorewang: For airfare and accommodation alone it was about $1500. I spent much more on other stuff such as food, transportation, admission passes and shopping!!
Reply
Willy
August 31, 2007

Great insight on your trip, I love reading all the different aspects of your trip. Keep it coming!!
Reply
Jayson
August 31, 2007

wow … the picture that captured my attention is the …… “that bowl of unagi with rice”!

japan really do give generous portions of unagi!
unlike shops here in Singapore ….

*hungry* ….
Reply
Veron
August 31, 2007

Willy: Sure! Day 9 would be full of great pictures, I promise. I’m working hard to get it posted!

Jayson: That lunch box cost me almost 20 bucks. So it’d better have lots of unagi!
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xtemujin
September 1, 2007

Do check out the toilet at the Kyoto Station, it’s in the hotel.
Reply
Dennis
September 2, 2007

Sawadee krup! i’m sittin in the canteen at Thammasat University (small one near Grand Palace) havin a cold drink in this hot weather. walked past and saw that it’s graduation day so came in for a look. Very interestin and VERY crowded. It’s a big carnival setting.
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strawberry
September 2, 2007

Hi hi! I just resume reading your blog after having lost your link in my ‘favourites’. I found your blog again after searching on stuff in Japan..and I’m just so glad to find your blog! It’s as ever interesting!
Reply
Joyz
September 2, 2007

Lovely updates on Tokyo and Kyoto so far. Looking forward to more on Kyoto! Is it easy to travel around Japan without following any tours? My biggest concern is the language; its quite a handicap, not being able to read signs and conversing with people.
My friends who are going to both Tokyo and Osaka in Dec got this tour package @ Natas for about S$1900 per pax (7 days). It includes air tix on JAL, accomodation and food for certain days.
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py
September 2, 2007

I cannot help but admire the beautiful photos here. The hello kitty cushion makes the room inviting for you, I am sure. :)

By the way, I have tried to access your blog from office during lunch hours for the past weeks, but have difficulties doing so. The message reads “Access denied”. Anyway, good thing that I can still access your blog from home to enjoy the beautiful scenes of Japan. Thanks for the posts.
Reply
Mail Order Bride
September 3, 2007

Got here while googling for Kyoto! Have seen your site around on several ocassions (and Twitter as well). I’m going there in October, your travelogue serves as a good reference read! =D
Reply
Veron
September 3, 2007

xtemujin: Thanks! Maybe next time.

Dennis: I miss Bangkok!

strawberry: So glad you found sparklette.net again!

Joyz: Yup! I’m quite against following tour groups. Traveling on our own is so much more fun! The language barrier is an obstacle though; it takes a longer time to get to people. But experiencing all the differences of a new country is the gist of traveling, isn’t it?

py: Love the kitty cushion! Thanks for highlighting the problem to me. I myself have encountered the same problem from time to time. Still working to fix it for good!

Mail Order Bride: Have fun!
Reply
ST
August 9, 2008

Hi Veron,

Happened to chance upon your site while searching for places to go in tokyo and kyoto. I hope it’s not too late to ask for advise..May i know which hotels did you stayed in both places? How much does the bullet train cost? How did u manage to budget 1500 bucks for accomodation + airtickets?(as air tickets alone cost 1.2k..)
Reply
Cheryl
August 22, 2008

Hi

I am planning a trip in Nov and happened to find yr blog. It was really helpful.

May I know the hotel name you stayed in Kyoto?

Rgds Cheryl
Reply
mo mo
March 16, 2009

How to travel from Osaka City to Tokyo Disneyland? Which station and which Line.? Please help.
Reply