A race around Japan

[CaptainCurtis]

Trip Update

Okay, now that I'm back up to date, probably a good time to share a quick update. I was meant to back home to Sydney early next week, but that is all but a distant memory. Work have asked me to go on a last minute trip to San Fran, the first time I'll have been with my current employer, which would have been tricky to turn down. So I've unfortunately had to sacrifice my QF26 flight home in J, losing the points.

The relatively decent news is that I have booked from HND-HNL-OAK with Hawaiian Airlines in J, leaving on Sunday night. I'll lose a few days in Tokyo, but it's likely I would have had to work on these days anyway. These flights were incredibly cheap, at just $2.6K. My flight home from the States is unfortunately in Y, flying SFO-AKL-SYD with Air New Zealand. I have put in a bid for an upgrade to Premium Economy, and for their Comfort Seats. I couldn't bring myself to do the direct flight from SFO-SYD, with over 14 hours direct in Y. These flights were $2.2K.

Its taken some time to organise my ESTA and travel insurance, which was time consuming to organise as I needed to make sure I had cover for the USA given that I have already departed Australia. Ended up going with Covermore. Thankfully the weather is still looking warm in California, which aligns to the clothes I had packed for Japan.

So a little bit of change to keep me on my toes. I leave Kyoto on Thursday, for one night in Osaka, and then head to Hiroshima for a couple of nights, which will see me through to Sunday. I now need to decide the best way to get from Hiroshima to Haneda - I was originally planning to take the trains, given that I had a few nights afterwards in Tokyo, but I'm now considering just flying from Hiroshima Airport to avoid all the train transfers.

Tomorrow I will probably head to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the surrounding area. Any recommendations for Wednesday?

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Day 19 - Kyoto

I was up at the crack of down, so jumped on the first bus to the Arashiyama area. The ride took about 45 minutes from the hotel. Wanting to get in early before the hoards arrived, my first stop was the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Since when did bamboo become a tourist attraction? Very pretty though.




Some tourists are just so clueless, setting up massive tripods in the middle of a narrow walkway and blocking others from passing in order to get their shots. Others setting up tripods for their phones (??) and using timers to get snaps of themselves, and they getting snappy when you walk through their shot. Also, surely the selfie stick died years ago?? Apparently not.

Then a walk along the Katsura River and across the Togetsukyo Bridge. Nice scenery around.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Breakfast at Rickshaw Cafe, the first bit of fruit I've had in a while. Coffee was decent.



Came across "the smallest Rolls Royce".

 

[CaptainCurtis]

The clock struck 8:30, so went into Tenryuji Temple, another World Heritage Site with a neat garden. Combined hall and garden ticket cost ¥800 from memory.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Spent quite a bit of time wondering the streets and particularly enjoyed the Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street. I feel like the majority of tourists made a beeline for the bamboo grove and the monkey park, so this area was much quieter, which was appreciated.




Stopped in at Gioji Temple, known for its moss garden.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Next stop was Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple. There are some 8,000 stones and pagodas here, which commemorate the souls of those who died without kin. Referred to as "lonely souls", although can't say I like that description. A very somber and beautiful place though.




Another bamboo forest attached to the temple.



I had planned to take the Sagano Scenic Railway up to Kameoka, a 25 minute trip through beautiful landscapes. I got to the ticket office in Arashiyama, and unfortunately many others had the same idea. Only standing tickets available, which didn't feel worthwhile for the cost.

Time to find some lunch. Came across Kijurou, which had a solid line. The wait ended up being about 30 minutes, but was worth it. I had the wagyu beef ribloin rice box, with boiled tofu. The beef was perhaps the best I've had in Japan, with fantastic marbling and a delicious sauce. I'm also not normally a tofu person, but this was soft and tasty with the accompanying sauce. Cost a smidge over ¥4,000, but highly recommend.




A nice view inside.



A not so nice view outside.



Then it was back onto the train for the hotel and a rest.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

For dinner I ventured down the street to Craft Dining Upit, an American inspired burger joint. The owner was incredibly friendly and very passionate about his craft. I went for the cheese burger with shoestring fries, and wasn't disappointed. The burger was big, juicy and cooked to perfection, and as a welcome surprise, came with avocado (I really hit my fruit and veg intake today!). Very reasonable too, from memory less than ¥2,000 including a beer.



Then off to bed after a busy day. Watch says 19 thousand steps, a tad over 15km.

 

[Seat0B]

Stopped in at Gioji Temple, known for its moss garden.

We loved this moss garden. Beautiful and serene. Lovely, especially after the crowds.