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7-Eleven Premium Gold Series: "Santouka" (山頭火)
Had instant noodles again as breakfast. This Premium Gold Series of "Asahikawa Tonkotsu" is a tie-up between 7-Eleven and Santouka Ramen, and produced by Nissin Food. This instant cup noodle recreates the flavors of a famous ramen shop in Asahikawa City of Hokkaido. It had four packs of ingredient mix beside the dried noodles (left photo below). The flavorful pork bone-based soup was of exceptionally taste with no "porky" odors. Though the soup was rich in flavor, it was still mellow and light enough to completely slurp up. The thin and firm noodles went well with the soup (right photo below).
Checked out from the hotel at about 7 am and walked towards Nipponbashi station with our luggage.Transportation Route to Umeda
| Action | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Depart | Nippombashi Station 「日本橋駅」 (S17) | - |
| ⇣ | 🚇 Osaka City Subway Sennichimae Line (bound for Nodahanshin) | 1-min |
| Transfer | Namba (Subway) Station 「難波駅」 (S16 / M20) | - |
| ⇣ | 🚇Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line (bound for Senri-Chūō) | 8-mins |
| Arrive | Umeda (Subway) Station 「梅田駅」 (M16) | - |
Luggage Deposit
As only spent a night in Kyoto, we then packed a light baggage and deposited our luggage in a locker during our transit in Osaka-Umeda Station (阪急梅田駅).
The locker area was located at the first floor next to Kinokuniya Bookstore (left photo below). There are several locker areas around the Osaka-Umeda Station but this area has the largest number of baggage lockers (right photo below).
The screen for locker rental was easy to operate but only cash or PiTaPa card could be accepted as payment (left photo below). Rented in the "elephant" zone for a medium-sized locker at JPY 500 (right photo below).
Transportation Route to Kyoto
| Action | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Depart | Umeda Station 「梅田駅」 | - |
| ⇣ | 🚶 Walk | 5-mins |
| Transfer | Ōsaka Station 「大阪駅」 (Departure Track No. 8) | - |
| ⇣ | 🚅 JR Special Rapid Service (bound for Tsuruga) | 29-mins |
| Arrive | Kyoto Station 「京都駅」 (Arrival Track No. 2) | - |
Kyoto Station (京都駅)
Kyoto Station is a major railway station and transportation hub in Kyoto (left photo below). It is one of the country's largest buildings incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan Departmental Store, and several local government facilities under a 15-storey roof.
Kyoto Tower (京都塔)
Kyoto Tower is an observation tower with a height of 100-meters that stands atop a 9-storey building (right photo below). The entire complex is directly opposite the Kyoto Station. There has been much controversy on its design as the needle-shaped spire was too modern for an ancient capital.
Once exited from Kyoto Station, we then walked towards Kyoto Highland Shimabara Guesthouse. After our checked in to the guest house, we walked back to Kyoto Station subsequently for the train to Inari.
Transportation Route to Inari
| Action | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Depart | Kyoto Station 「京都駅」 (Departure Track No. 10) | - |
| ⇣ | 🚃 JR Nara Line Local (bound for Nara) | 5-mins |
| Arrive | Inari Station 「稲荷駅」 (JR-D03) | - |
The JR Inari Station is literally right at the doorstep of Fushimi Inari Shrine (left photo below).
Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社)
Fushimi Inari Shrine is the headquartes of some 30,000 Inari shrines around Japan. It sits at the base of Inari mountain that is 233-meters above sea level and includes trails up the mountain to many smaller shrines which span a total of 4-km (right photo below).
The two-storied main gate (楼門) marks the entrance to the shrine (left photo below) with a plaque indicating its name in the middle of its roof structure (right photo below).
At the front of the main gate stand two fox statues where the one holds a key which symbolizes rice granary (left phoot below) and the other holds a stone which symbolizes god's spirit (right photo below).
Foxes are being considered as messangers of the god Inari, thus resulting in many fox statues across the shrine ground (left photo below). Ema, or votie tablets for writing wishes on, are popular in Japanese shrines and temples. Usually ema are rectangular-shaped, but the ema at Fushimi Inari Shrine are in the shape of a fox face. It was interesting to see all the ema lined up with different faces drew by visitors (right photo below).
The highlight of the shrine is the rows of bright orange Torii gates, known as "Senbon Torii" (photos below). It is believed that there are as many as 10,000 Torii on the tracks of the mountain and it can take approximately 2-hours to complete the trail.
To express gratitude to the diety of the shrine, devotees traditionally donate a Torii gate whenever their wish comes trues or when making a prayer for prosperity. On the back of every Torii gate is the name of the donator (left photo below) and the date they made their contributions (right photo below).
It's never easy to find a path where there was no visitor but I managed to take a photo of one (left photo below); with another photo of partial success (right photo below).
The shrine is admission free and opens 24-hours.Kyoto Shoryu (京都翔龍)
Stumbled on this Kyoto Shoryu restaurant while walking towards Fushimi Inari station, thus decided to have our lunch there (left photo below). The restaurant is not big and has an open kitchen to watch all the cooking actions. Ordered a normal sized ramen at JPY 700 (right photo below). The broth was good and the white pork tasted delicious.
After lunch we walked towards Fushimi-Inari Station for the train to Kiyomizu-Gojo. The Fushimi-Inari Station is just a few minutes walk from the JR Inari Station and the Fushimi Inari Shrine.Transportation Route to Kiyomizu-Gojo
| Action | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Depart | Fushimi-Inari Station 「伏見稲荷駅」 | - |
| ⇣ | 🚃 Keihan Main Line Sub-express (bound for Demachiyanagi) | 6-mins |
| Arrive | Kiyomizu-Gojō Station 「清水五条駅」 | - |
Took us about 25-minutes walk from the Kiyomizu-Gojō Station to the entrance of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple (清水寺)
Kiyomizu-dera Temple, officially known as "Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera" (音羽山清水寺), is a Buddhist temple founded in 780 and now has over 1,200 years of history. The present buildings were constructed in the 17th century.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is officially declared in 1994 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.Admission fee of JPY 400 was required to enter the temple (photo below). The Kiyomizu-dera Temple opens from 0600 hours to 1800 hours daily.
- The vermillion-colored main entrance gate is probably the first structure that catches the attention of a visitor (left photo below). This Niōmon gate is guarded by two wooden warriors called "Niō" or literally two kings.
Three-Tiered Pagoda (三重塔)
- This pagoda is one of the tallest of its kind in Japan standing at 31-meters high (right photo below). The current structure dates from a reconstruction carried out in 1633 when its original red coloring was also restored.
Other Nearby Sights
- The view of Kyoto city can be viewed from the side of the pagoda (left photo below). At the front of the gate is the newly installed dragon sculpture (right photo below).
Zuigu-dō (随求堂)
- Zuigu-dō is a small sub-temple which houses the "Tainai Meguri" (胎内巡り). There are stairs that led to a pitch-black underground tunnel. Going into the darkness, in fact, symbolizes walking into the womb of a female bodhisattva, and coming out of it back into the light symbolizes being reborn again. A small admission fee of JPY 100 is required for this experience.
Jishu-jinja Shrine (地主神社)
- This Shinto shrine is dedicated to "Ōkuninushi-no-Kami" (大国主神), a god of love and matchmaking (right photo below). The shrine possesses a pair of "love stones" placed 18-meters apart and lonely visitors can try to walk between with their eyes closed. Success in reaching the other stone with eyes closed implies that the pilgrim will find true love.
Main Hall and Stage of Kiyomizu (本堂和舞台)
- This unqiue large wooden main hall stands off a cliff overlooking the city of Kyoto (photo below). The wooden structure was built using a rather special method; with 12-meters high Zelkova pillars from centuries-old trees and 410 cypress boards for the floor, they were assembled and installed using interlocking wooden joints without a single nail.
- The balcony of Okuno-in Hall, which stands directly above the Otowa waterfall, provides the perfect view of the three-tiered pagoda and the Kiyomizu temple (photos below).
- Kiyomizu literally means "clear water". This is because of the pure and sacred water flowing from the mountain which is believed to be blessed by the Bodhisattva Kannon. At the Otowa waterfall, visitors can drink these waters. There are three different streams of small falls; one is for longevity, one is for love, and the third one for academic achievements (photos below).
Tea Houses
- There are several tea houses in the temple area offering a quiet sanctuary from the bustling temples and shrines (photos below). Visitors can take a break and relax in these tea houses while enjoying a cup of freshly brewed Japanese tea.
Sannen-zaka is a 400-meters long narrow sloping stone-paved pedestrian street that is lined with historic Japanese-style buildings that typify Kyoto. There are round 60 shops and restaurants that sell traditional Kyoto products, food and souvenirs (photos below). It is also the ideal place to encounter Japanese people or tourists dressed up in kimono or yukata.
Was attracted by an ice-cream stall while strolling along the street (left photo below) and got myself a matcha green-tea ice-cream at JPY 350 (right photo below). The matcha taste was rich and was not too sweet for my liking.
We then took another transport route back to Kyoto.
Transportation Route to Kyoto
| Action | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Depart | Kiyomizu-Gojō Station 「清水五条駅」 | - |
| ⇣ | 🚃 Keihan Main / Nakanoshima Line Local (bound for Nakanoshima) | 4-mins |
| Transfer | Tōfukuji Station 「東福寺駅」 (JR-D02) | - |
| ⇣ | 🚋 JR Nara Line Rapid Service (bound for Kyoto) | 3-mins |
| Arrive | Kyoto Station 「京都駅」 (Arrival Track No. 8) | - |
Kyoto Shopping
After exited from the Kyoto station, we then walked into the Aeon Mall Kyoto located behind the station. Spent almost an hour there before proceeding to the nearby Kyoto Avanti mall.
Kineya Restaurant (杵屋)
After a long search of restaurants, we decided to have dinner in this Kineya restaurant located at the basement of Kyoto Avanti mall (left photo below). Ordered a set meal of "Katsudon and Curry Udon" at JPY 1260 (right photo below). The curry was tasty and savory with the big udon noodles. Its portion was just enough for me.
After dinner we then walked back to the Guest House.Day Five
7-Eleven Premium Series: Kansai Style Meat Udon
Had instant noodles again for breakfast. This time bought a "Kansai Style Meat Udon" cup noodle from a convenience store in Kyoto (left photo below). The soup was savory and the meat pieces were quite tasty (right photo below).
After this simple breakfast, we then checked out the hotel at about 9 am and walked towards Kyoto station.
Transportation Route to Umeda
| Action | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Depart | Kyoto Station (Departure Track No. 5) | - |
| ⇣ | 🚅 JR Special Rapid Service (bound for Himeji) | 29-mins |
| Arrive | Osaka (Arrival Track No. 5) | - |
Collected our luggage from the "elephant" locker and then walked towards New Hankyu Annex Osaka to check in. After which we walked towards our first attraction of the day.
Umeda Sky Building & Floating Garden Observatory
The Umeda Sky Building is a spectacular high-rise building consists of two 173-meters tall towers connected by a "Floating Garden Observatory" from the 39th floor. The observatory facility made up of 3 levels occupying 39th, 40th and the rooftop of the building. Though named as "garden", this observatory has no trees or plants.
While waiting for the elevator on the third floor, I was already impressed by its design and architecture from the model of this building (photos below).
The two 35-meters long structures around the inner "oculus" are the aerial escalators. These transparent long tube-type "aerial escalators" are connected from the entrance on the 39th floor to the rooftop observatory (photos below).
Taking these escalators can be one of the highlights of the day where it feels like traveling through a time tunnel (left photo below). However for visitors with acrophobia (fear of heights), it is advisable not to look down from the aerial escalators which are partially suspended some 170-meters above ground (right photo below).
The Roof Top or "Sky Walk" offers a 360-degrees view of its surroundings:
- View of the Yodogawa River running to the sea (left photo below).
- Skyscrapers on the south side of JR Osaka Station (right photo below).
- The TKP Gate Tower Building with the famous highway running through the building itself (left photo below).
- Cars and trains of Hankyu Line crossing over the Yodogawa River (right photo below).
Admission to the Floating Garden Observatory was paid using the Osaka Amazing Pass. However, a physical ticket was given to every visitor (photo below). Opening hours from 0930 hours to 2330 hours daily. The Umeda Sky Building can be reached by about 10-mins walk from the Osaka or Umeda stations.
Pre-ordered our bento from Awajiya one week before our trip and we collected it from the basement Food Hall of Hanshin Department Store (阪神百貨店).
Paid JPY 1,112 for the "Hipparidako-Meshi" which came with a heavy ceramic jar (left photo below). Once the cover was opened, big chunks of octopus tentacles, conger eel, carrots, broiled eggs and shiitake mushrooms were neatly arranged on a bed of soy sauce rice (right photo below). It was delicious even it's cold.
Transportation Route to Tenjinbashi
| Action | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Depart | Umeda (Subway) Station 「梅田駅」 | - |
| ⇣ | 🚶 Walk | 6-mins |
| Transfer | Higashi-Umeda Station 「東梅田駅」 (T20) | - |
| ⇣ | 🚇 Osaka City Subway Tanimachi Line (bound for Dainichi) | 4-mins |
| Arrive | Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome Station 「天神橋筋六丁目駅」 (T18) | - |
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living (大阪くらしの今昔館)
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living is located within the Osaka Municipal Housing Information Center building on its 8th and 9th floor. This museum is Japan's first museum themed around housing and living in Osaka from 1830 to 1844 which was the latter part of the Edo period.
Museum Admission
- The museum entrance is located on the 8th floor of the building (left photo below). At the ticket counter, we showed our Osaka Amazing Pass and was issued with a physical ticket (right photo below).
Do note that large suitcases, backpacks and even tripods or selfie sticks are not permitted in the exhibit space, and has to be placed into lockers located besides the entrance. A JPY 100 deposit is required to operate the locker but will be returned after items are retrieved.The museum is open daily from 1000 hours to 1700 hours but closed on every Tuesday.
Observation Deck (10th floor)
- We went straight to the 10th floor to see the Edo Period Landscape through its large glass window. Details could be observed on the houses where some of them had windows on the side of the roof for sunlight to pass through during the day, and ingenuity of the people to install laundry-drying deck on the center of the roof (photo below).
- The 9th floor is the life-size reconstructions of the homes and townhouses that people once resided in, and including real-life tools and furnishings they used in their day-to-day lives (photos below).
The attraction has a system that changes the scenery of the town, from daytime (left photo below) to evening and nighttime (right photo below) within 45-minutes. There is even a full moon projection with shooting stars on its ceiling during nightfall.
- The 8th floor has the diorama reproductions of the streets of Osaka from Meiji, Taishō to Shōwa eras. The history of Osaka, from its civilization and enlightenment to the development of Osaka, to war damage and postwar reconstruction, is shown in the elaborate models (photos below).
- There was a special exhibition where a nostalgic collection of retro home appliances was displayed (photos below).
Tenjinbashi-suji (天神橋筋) Shopping Street
Claimed to be the longest shopping street in Japan, this street stretches an extremely 2.5-km long with over 800 shops and restaurants. The arcade begins from around Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome Subway Station (left photo below), and ends just before Tenjinbashi Bridge (right photo below). It takes about 40-mins to walk from end to end.
Comparing to the commercial counterparts such as Ebisubashi-suji (戎橋筋) or Shinsaibashi-suji (心斎橋筋), this Tenjinbashi-suji is not all tourist tat but anything or everything can be found there, such as kitchen sink, clothes, futons, sundries, groceries, old-fashioned tea shops, books, phone accessories, charming cafes and tiny restaurants (photos below).
Besides Daiso, there were two 100-Yen shops identified along this shopping street, namely "Silk Tenroku" (ショップ シルク天六店) and "CAN DO" (photos below).
Probably tired from the long walk, I decided to have a break in this Doutor Coffee (left photo below). Ordered a hot tea and lettuce hotdog bun at a total of JPY 480 (right photo below). Was satisfied with this simple break.
Do look up for the welcoming giant dolls at the entrance above the arcade when crossing the streets at Tenjinbashi-suji 2-chome (photos below).
We then took the subway from the nearest station back to Umeda.Transportation Route to Umeda
| Action | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Depart | Minami-morimachi Station 「南森町駅」 (T21) | - |
| ⇣ | 🚇 Osaka City Subway Tanimachi Line (bound for Dainichi) | 1-min |
| Arrive | Higashi-Umeda Station 「東梅田駅」 (T20) | - |
Shopping in Umeda
Definitely a shopper's paradise in Umeda. There are three big departmental stores, namely Hanshin Departmenal Store Umeda, Daimaru Umeda and Hankyu Umeda Main Store (left photo below). In addition, malls such as Grand Front Osaka, LUCUA Osaka, LINKS Umeda and Yodobashi Umeda (right photo below) are also located there.
Hokkyokusei (北極星)Had dinner in the Hokkyokusei shop that specializes in omurice. As this shop is small, only eight customers can be seated over its counter (left photo below). Got myself a "Hashed Beef Omurice" at JPY 1,000 (right photo below). Taste was good and comparable with the "Pomme No Ki" omurice I had two days ago.
After much shopping, we then walked back to the hotel for an early rest.