You cannot travel to Kansai without travelling in Kyoto. Kyoto is the capital of the old Japan. Rich in historical sites, relics and monuments, the city attracts more than 30 million visitors every year. Kyoto is known as well for the young and beautiful maiko and geisha.

An old friend once told me that he likes Kyoto better in Tokyo. With that, my expectation in Kyoto was hight. But since, I am still experiencing bleeding due to my PCOS, I was a bit disappointed. My hormones acted up and just wanted to drag me back to my hotel in Osaka. Nevertheless, I tried to enjoy Kyoto as much as I can.

How did I get there?

I pre-booked a JR Kansai Wide Pass in Klook. The pass lasted for 5 days thus when I arrived in Osaka, I opted to have Kyoto and Nara to be first in my itinerary to fully consume my train pass.

To know more about my Japan essentials prep, click here.

Kyoto is less than 20 minutes away from Osaka via train. If you want to experience more of the old traditional culture of Japan, you may opt as well to stay for 2-3 days in Kyoto. With this, you may have a better understanding of how the cultural effect transformed.

Where are the place I traveled in Kyoto?

Kyoto Station and Kyoto Tower

Entrance Fee: Free

Kyoto Station is considered as the busiest station in Kyoto connecting to different train railways including Shinkansen Trains.

Outside the Kyoto Station is the Kyoto Tower, standing 131 meters tall. Kyoto Tower is Kyoto’s tallest structure and a rare modern iconic landmark in the city. The tower was completed in 1964.

If you will visit the Kyoto Tower Observatory, certain fee will be charged. You may also look for it in Klook. As for me, I just stayed outside the Kyoto Tower. 😀

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Entrance Fee: Free

Dedicated to the deity god of good harvest and success in business – Inari. Fushimi Inari Shrine was founded in 711 before Kyoto became Japan’s capital.

The path leading up 233-meter-tall Mt. Inari has many stone altars or called as otsuka and marked by approximately 10,000 torii gates. This long tunnel of vibrant orange torii gates is an iconic sight in Kyoto.

The shrine is crowded and it was hard to find a good timing for a beautiful shot. I also forgot my selfie stick that time so I tried some people to take me photo but I cannot say I was proud of that. 😀

I had then a high expectation with Fushimi Inari to have that perfect orange shot. But that is travelling, expectations can be really different in reality. It will be better I think to visit the shrine early in the morning. 🙂

Seiryō-ji Temple

Entrance Fee: Free

My actual destination after the Fushimi Inari Shrine was the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. However, I got lost! I was following the flock of people but then for some reason, I turned to the other side and found this shrine.

Seiryō-ji Temple is a treasure house built to hold Buddha images between Heian and Kamakura eras. I was actually on the thought that maybe this is the entrance before the bamboo grove but it was not! 😀

The flock of people that I was following were gone! My feet was tired and I got no one to ask for direction. My Google Map indicated too that I was near the bamboo grove. So, I headed back and hired a cab. 😀

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Entrance Fee: Free

Finally, after hiring a cab, I was able to see the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, I actually passed that area but I kept walking! HAHAHAH. The landmark to know that you are there is the Snoopy Chocolate Store. 🙂

Adjacent from Fushimi Inari Shrine is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. One of the most iconic place in Kyoto is this passage located in Sagano village. From the Saga-Arashiyama Station, you have to walk for around 10 minutes to reach the bamboo grove (for me, it was 30 minutes since I got lost 😀 ). You can also rent a rickshaw from the train station to the bamboo grove.

Almost same scenario with Fushimi Inari, this place was crowded. At first, I haven’t liked the place because of the crowd, the electrical cables hanging everywhere and there was a private car passing by. I thought I will feel serene in this place. But, I changed my perspective. I let my inner thoughts guide me. I let myself to feel the calmness of the bamboo trees.

As I walked more, crowd is getting lesser and it feels more cozy. The temperature drops as you will feel the cold air and the sweep of the bamboo leaves.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrS1KjwrkgR/

I also tried to have some good shots but it was not my day, just my hormones. 😀

After visiting the bamboo grove, I decided to return to Osaka. I wished to visit Gion District but I was too tired. I wanted to lay in bed and just rest. My hormones took so much from me on that day. 😦

However, I believe I will visit again Kyoto next time and give her another chance. I wanted to see more. For now, a day tour will be enough.

Until next time, Kyoto! ❤