Kyoto

 Sunday/Monday- January 12-13, 2023

Kyoto

We left the wonderful Citadines Hotel (where the room had a couch!)  in Namba, Osaka and took the JR train to Kyoto. Thing about the train stations in Japan are that you have to go up and down stairs to get to platforms/exits and when you have luggage, well, it's difficult. Mom and I had to go up and down stairs in the stations during our time in Japan. She actually was looking for an elevator at one point. They probably exist, but are not easily accessible. I offered to help mom with her luggage, but she insisted that she do it herself. 

 

We arrived in Kyoto and were able to check in early to our hotel room. The hotel is right across from Kyoto Station, which makes getting around Kyoto so easy!  We had 7-Eleven convenient food for lunch and then rested for a couple of hours. Actually, we napped to re-energize. 

After checking out all the different restaurants available at Kyoto Station, peering into their glass displays looking at all the plastic food, we decided on Italian! We ordered the seafood pasta and Cesar Salad. We've been sharing a lot of meals and this was most definitely enough for both of us. 

Kyota is known for their green tea, matcha tea..and there were match teas and food everywhere! Matcha cakes, matcha cookies, matcha and chocolate, matcha drinks, matcha ice cream. 

 

We walked to Aeon Mall and walked around to check out the place. Mom recognized this mall from her last visit. 

Monday, 2/23/23

Our hotel includes breakfast and I made a HUGE salad for myself. I haven't had that many vegetables while in Japan except when I eat tempura. 

I decided on going on this walk from the Experience Japan book and it was a good decision!

Took the train to Arashiyama area.

We hopped on a bus and the driver was so helpful in getting us to the Otagi Nenbutsu Ji temple which was our first stop. 

Though the temple grounds are not very large, there was quite a lot to see in the 1,200 sculptures. Each one had it's own face and expression. I especially liked the ones that were laughing or had a child in it's arms. 

When I Google Mapped our next stop- the Gio Ji Temple, the walking route would take 2.5 hours. I noticed that it was close, but the map was telling us to take a round about way to get there. So I followed my instincts and headed in that direction. 

The houses, plants, small back streets that we walked on were a lovely sight to see. 

What I loved most about these temple grounds were the plants/moss (maybe?) that covered the area. It was dainty, pretty, and serene. 

There was an spot where guest could write wishes for a donation. 

We passed a gift shop along the way to the next stop. The items were so cute. 

I thought these containers were interesting for ikebana. 

Would love to learn how to do this when I get back to SF. 

Our third stop was at Okochi Sano Garden. Wasn't too spectacular, likely cause it is winter, but it was nice to walk around and check it out. 

And we arrived at the Bamboo Garden from the back side. Lots of people walking there. It's impressive. 

We saw a couple in their traditional kimono. I think it was a wedding portrait session. 

There were quite a few people in Arashiyama wearing kimonos and walking around. You could rent them and they also provide helping to set your hair up in an updo and includes hairpieces. 

One of the train stations in the area. 

Our lunch! I had oyako donburi. The egg yolks here are orange that's why my bowl was orange looking. Mom had pork ramen. 

We continued to walk along the busy area and saw some sweet potatoes. Both mom and I thought they were hot and with the weather being so cold, we wanted to warm up with a potato. Turns out it was cold and good thing we had a zip lock on us. We took it home and mom had that for dinner. There's a microwave at the hotel. So much more tasty when it's hot. 

Taiyaki! Custard, red bean and chocolate!

More kimonos!

I wish I had taken a picture when we arrived in the morning when no one was around. When we left, it was so busy!

Back at Kyoto Station and to our hotel. We ended up having dinner in our room. Mom ate the sweet potato and I got a bowl udon from 7-Eleven. We were both content.