Planning My Trip

Kyoto had been my dream destination for a long time. After 8 years of living in Japan, my plan finally came to fruition. Same as last year when I went to Osaka, I decided to take the overnight bus.

I reserved a seat on the Willer Express website and paid 10,900 yen for a round-trip ticket at a convenience store. When making a reservation online, you can choose the date of your trip and the type of seat you prefer. They have economy as well as luxury seats that offer more comfort for long-distance travels.

For more information, you can check their website by clicking this link: https://willer-travel.com/en/

En Route to Kyoto

On September 24^th, the day of my trip, I arrived at Tokyo Station Yaesu Street at around 10:30 p.m. The bus came on time and departed at 11:05 p.m. It has 4 seats in a row and is pretty spacious. Each seat is reclinable and equipped with a charging port.

During the entire journey, I was able to take short naps, waking every hour due to the motion of the vehicle—an inevitable drawback of taking an overnight bus. Nonetheless, I felt recharged and ready for tomorrow’s activities.

Arrival at Kyoto Station

The next day, September 25^th, we reached Kyoto Station Hachijo Gate Bus Stop at 6:00 in the morning. I dashed to Kintetsu Kyoto Line and took the train going to Kintetsu-Tambabashi Station. My first destination was Fushimi-Momoyama Castle, a 16^th century fortress with a turbulent history.

I was subjected to an early morning exercise, trudging the streets for 18 minutes before reaching the castle. The castle grounds are open to the public from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and anyone can enter for free. The place was serene and not crowded at all. I only saw a jogger who passed by. As I entered the vicinity, I gazed upon the twin keeps that looked slightly eerie but captivating. I stayed for a while to take some snaps, then walked back to the train station for my next stop—the Kinkakuji Temple.

A Glimpse of the Golden Pavilion

Going to the temple was relatively easy. From Kintetsu-Tambabashi Station, I boarded the train going to Kitaoji Station. At the Kitaoji Bus Terminal, I hopped on the Kyoto City Bus no. 204 and reached Kinkakuji-michi Bus Stop at 8:07 a.m. While waiting for the premises to open, I munched some sandwiches and sauntered around the area. Tourists waiting near the entrance were steadily increasing. After a few minutes two groups of students, who were having their field trip, arrived. I overheard one student saying that they came from Nagoya. The gates opened at 9:00 a.m. I queued up and paid 500 yen for the admission fee. I followed the other visitors as they walked down a narrow pathway towards the pavilion. When we reached the spot, I was immediately awe-struck. The temple’s golden exterior glimmered under the heat of the sun, displaying its majestic splendor.

 

After wandering around, I spotted 2 souvenir shops and purchased an ema (a wishing plaque), a tote bag, and some nuts.

 

Before going to my next destination, I tried the matcha soft-served ice cream with gold leaf flakes (900 yen) sold by Yamazaki-an, a dessert shop located outside the temple precinct.

Basking in Arashiyama’s Bamboo Forest

At 10:37 a.m., I hopped on the train going to Saga-arashiyama Station. From there, it took 14 minutes on foot to reach the bamboo forest. On the way to the forest, I was surprised to see a Snoopy-themed store at the corner of the street. Being a huge fan of this adorable beagle, I decided to swing by and grabbed some chocolates.

 

I went back to the main street and continued walking. I noticed some interesting shops that sell banana smoothies and sweet potato snacks. Then I went past a bamboo walkway, a shrine, and a temple. Moments later, I was blanketed with towering stalks of bamboo. I’ve finally reached the forest! The lush greenery created a calm and mystical atmosphere. It’s like being transported to a different world. I took the time to gaze at the beauty of nature and observe its intricacies.

 

After battling the crowds for decent photos, it was time to head off to one of the cutest food spots in Kyoto, the Arashiyama Rilakkuma Teahouse.

Arashiyama Rilakkuma Teahouse: A Feast for the Eyes and the Stomach

The teahouse is within a walking distance from the bamboo forest. It’s situated along the road, making it a convenient place to dine in. On the first floor, there is a souvenir shop that sells various items such as plushies, key chains, bath items, and whatnot. There is also a dessert corner that offers Rilakkuma-themed sponge cakes, ice cream, and drinks. The café, which is on the second floor, serves a variety of savory dishes and desserts. At the time of my visit, a special Korilakkuma Dessert Plate, which was filled with strawberry desserts like roll cake, mousse, and ice cream, was included in the menu. Since I wasn’t craving for sweets, I settled for beef curry and Uji matcha for lunch.

 

 

After filling myself up, I headed to Arashiyama Station on Randen Tram Line. Aside from having the cutest purple train, this station has a kimono forest that showcases pillars of traditional textiles displayed all over the area. At night, the pillars are illuminated with lights, transforming them to beautiful pieces of artwork.

 

ShinPuhKan: A Blend of Traditional and Modern Architecture

Next on my list was ShinPuhKan, a shopping complex directly connected to Karasuma Oike Station. This commercial facility was the former location of Kyoto Central Telephone Office. The whole complex, which is a great architectural spot, is a unique fusion of Taisho Era design and modern aesthetic.

Additionally, ShinPuhKan houses curated shops and restaurants, a cinema, and a hotel—perfect for people who want to relax after a long day.

One of the shops that has become popular over the years is the Traveler’s Factory Kyoto. A paradise for journal buffs, this store carries Kyoto-exclusive merch and all sorts of stationery.

As soon as I entered the store, I noticed the neatly arranged paper products that were strategically placed near the entrance. I immediately spotted what I wanted to purchase—the Kyoto edition refill with green tea leaf paper. I grabbed the sample, flipped the pages, and sniffed the matcha scent wafting from it. Craftsmanship-wise, the notebook looked impressively beautiful.

 

Like other Traveler’s Factory branches, they also have stamps that you can use to customize your notebook.

 

Another thing you must try is the Vintage Weighing Machine that dispenses a souvenir ticket. All you need to do is to step on the scale, insert a token, and wait for the ticket to pop out.

I was hoping to receive the “coffee trip” ticket but I got these ones instead:

 

I suddenly fancied to consume something sweet. So I made a beeline for Café Kitsune and ordered iced café mocha and a Barista Fox Sable cookie.

 

I checked my watch and it said 3:30 p.m. There’s still time to visit two more sites.

Heian Shrine and Yasaka Pagoda: Symbols of Ancient Kyoto

After a short train ride from Karasuma Oike to Higashiyama Station, it took 10 minutes on foot to reach the enormous torii gate of Heian Shrine. When I entered the main grounds, I searched for the ticket booth only to realize that there was no admission fee. (Note: Visiting the gardens has an entry fee of 600 yen.)

I headed towards the outer sanctuary and had a closer look of Byakko-ro and Soryu-ro Towers, standing on the west and east sides respectively. Each vermillion tower has intricate lookouts on its roof that showcase the remarkable elegance of the structure.

 

At 4:36 p.m., I exited the shrine and made my way to Higashiyama Niomon Stop. From there, I boarded the bus heading to Kiyomizu-michi, the closest stop to Yasaka Pagoda. After 9 minutes, I arrived at my destination and strolled along Sannen-zaka street, a path lined with specialty stores and cafes. One thing that piqued my interest was the Yasaka Tile Factory, a shop that originated in Okinawa. At first, I found it bizarre to see an aroma shop in the midst of a historic district, but this place attracts many tourists because of its eye-catching products. They sell aroma oils as well as coaster and stick diffusers that come in fun designs.

 

Check out this link for more photos of the store: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/762107df5f7c01f11ffc6aee789aabadcb3cbcc5

After I made my purchase, I continued climbing the slope leading towards the famous view point of the pagoda. As you may have guessed, the place was packed with people. It was a measure of patience waiting for the other tourists to move out of the frame. Eventually, I gave up and resorted to post-editing my photos.

 

Since it was getting dark, I scratched my plan of visiting Kiyomizu-dera and boarded the bus to Karasuma Nanajo Station. When I got off, I caught sight of the glowing Kyoto Tower across the street.

 

I walked towards Kyoto station and spotted a shopping center called Kyoto Porta. I searched for a good restaurant, had omurice for dinner, and made my way to Kyoto Avanti Mall. The bus terminal is located in front of this mall, so I stayed in the waiting area for a couple of hours until my bus arrived.

Back to Tokyo

At 10:50 p.m, I boarded the Chiba Chuo Bus that has 3 seats in a row and privacy curtains. This type of coach is more comfortable and more conducive to sleep. We arrived at Tokyo Skytree the next day (September 26^th) at 6:05 a.m.

In conclusion, I was extremely satisfied with how my first trip to Kyoto turned out. I didn’t expect to cover many places during my visit. But, as they say, traveling comes with wonderful surprises. To maximize your own travel plans, try to explore both the popular and underrated spots, get yourself unique souvenirs, and don’t miss out on local food especially the matcha-flavored treats.

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