Kyo-TOtally coming back here again!
We arrived in Kyoto with an almost 100% uneventful trip from Osaka on the bullet train. The entire 15 minute train ride flew in comparison to the walk that followed with our packs! But when we arrived arrived at our hotel it was worth it: Beautiful bamboo sliding doors opened up to a peaceful Bonsai garden and main reception. It was like we had stepped in to one of the “Visit Japan” brochures.
The Number 10 Bus
After stumbling across an incredible soba noodle house for dinner and then a wonderful little bar called Material on our first night, we were keen for a relaxing day of exploring Kyoto for our first day. We mapped out a route to get to the main market and shopping strip and caught the number 10 bus (this was the first of many bus rides around Kyoto, highly recommend).
The streets were a mix of bars, restaurants, market stalls and high end retail shops, with incredibly old temples and shrines dispersed throughout. The metro feel we had experienced in Tokyo and parts of Osaka was gone, this was a calmer, more “go at your own pace” town. On our way to the bus home we found a craft brewery… would have been rude not to stop there and then we found a little Kyoto Gem: A Mexican bar and restaurant called Maximo. The small venue held 12 people and all the food and drinks were cooked in front of you. By far the best Mexican I have ever had!
We were learning that some of the best things in Japan are what you least expected!
I got bitten on the arse by a Deer!
Day 2 of Kyoto saw an early morning (and very long) train trip to Nara Park. A historical accumulation of shrines, gates, temples, galleries and museums hosted on a World Heritage site with hundreds of native deer.
Walking up the street to the entrance of the park we were shocked to see deer standing on the street with not a care in the world as bikes and cars moved around them. As we rounded the corner it was an incredible sight to see hundreds of them resting and grazing on the grass, always eye-ing off where they will get their next deer cracker from.
Walking around the park was incredible. The National Treasure museum had artefacts dating to the year 700! The World Heritage Site… with the thousands of stone lanterns was a site to behold, especially when the deer would pop put from behind them, a Nara signature photo opportunity.
We rounded our day off with an early dinner at a highly recommended Ramen restaurant, lucky we are now experts at ordering from a vending machine!
Scottish Vinegar isn’t all that bad!
After our day of walking the day prior we decided that a chill day of souvenir shopping was in oder. So we got back on our favourite number 10 bus and to a fan shop we had seen the first day. After having some delicious sushi for lunch and the Big Boss visiting his name sake store, we found out the shop we came for was closed. We came up with a plan B and headed across town to another one in the Geisha district.
This part of Kyoto was magical. Traditional architecture with material covering over the bamboo doors gave the area a mysterious feel to it. Seeing Geisha walk around the streets dressed up with the face painted was beautiful! We got some handmade fans and started the walk back in to town… when again, we stumbled across yet another craft brewery. After a few ciders while discussing how good Wales, Scotland and Australia are with a lovely Welshman, we wondered around some more temples before having some cocktails on a rooftop bar overlooking Kyoto.
We went to a ‘ye olde British pub for dinner which included some “proper” chips and the “correct” vinegar with some Brewdog pints to try and win the Big Boss a Brewdog T-shirt. Safe to say we left the pub with no t-shirt but headed for a killer hangover in the morning!
A lot of stairs and a very loud groan!
The t-shirt winning attempt did not seem worth it the next day as we woke at 5am to head to Fushimi Inari Taisha, the site of the 1,000 Torii Gates. The vibrant orange of the gates, against the green of the rainforest was spectacular. It is truely a site to behold… it makes the millions of stairs you have to climb worth it.
Travel Tip: Do not do this with a hangover… thought I was going to die when I reached the top, evidenced by the noise I made upon reaching the look out. Safe to say the Big Boss was less than impressed!
After some delicious toast and a coffee we headed back to the hotel for a much needed nap before we set out for an afternoon of exploring Nijo Castle. This was amazing, the amount of time and effort put in to restoring this historic site has been worth it. Not only the buildings were beautiful, but so were the grounds. We sat in a lovely tea house over looking a stream going through the grounds of the estate. It was a nice contrast to the blazing sun and severe lack of shade around the castle.
Our last night in Kyoto was finished with some dinner at a local family owned restaurant, a movie and an early night, ready for our adventures to Wakayama in the morning.