Day 5: Japan (Nara)
Today, it will be fewer activities for us. It takes into consideration that we still have to pack for our return flight to the Philippines and it is predicted to rain by 6 PM. We left the hotel later than the usual. It is time to see the deer!!!
As soon as we arrived at Nara and left the train station, a few distance away is the Nara Park. I did not expect that there are so many deer! They move freely and has priority of the street (cars has to stop and wait for them to cross).
We bought food so we can feed them. These deer know how to bow. So, we (both the deer and I) bow first before I give them a treat. LOL. They slowly go near you, smelling your pockets, bags, etc. searching for food.
It is a calming experience for the deer have a calming aura--their gaze, their graceful movement.
We walked our way to the Todai-ji Temple. Todai-ji Temple is a monumental symbol of early Japanese Buddhism, reflecting the intertwining of religion and politics, and showcasing remarkable architectural achievements.
For lunch, we walked our way to the Sakura Burger. Ordered their SAKURA Blossom Oni-Tama and mango tropical juice. 👍
Crossed the street to the Higashimuki Shopping Street where the store Tabi-Ji can be found. My niece plans to buy Tabi shoes.
We then went back to Osaka, passing by Don Quixote for additional souvenir purchases. On the way back to the hotel, rain is starting. Stopped at Precious Coffee Moments to try their coffee ice cream, ordered food-to-go at McDonald's. This way, we don't have to go out again for dinner and pack at our leisure.
Labels: Chromebook, food, photography, shopping, transaction
Day 4: Japan (Kyoto)
A Sunday, we would be attending Mass at the Catholic Osaka Umeda Church. We left around 8 AM as we would be attending the English Mass at 9 AM.
We were on time as we were there before the Mass starts (which should be the case). At the end of the Mass, the congregation was asked who was their first time attending that Church. We were asked to stand up, introduce ourselves and where from. 🙏 Attending a Sunday Mass at Japan is my request to my nieces to include in our itinerary.
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| Catholic Osaka Umeda Church |
After the Mass, we went to
Blue Bottle Coffee for waffles (for me) and coffee (for my nieces).
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| At Blue Bottle Coffee |
Again, we would be going to Kyoto (via train and lots of walking). This time, we would be visiting the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the Tenryu-ji Temple.
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| Togetsu-kyo Bridge |
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| View from Togetsu-kyo Bridge |
The Togetsukyo Bridge ("Moon Crossing Bridge") is the iconic 155-meter, 400-year-old landmark of Kyoto's Arashiyama district. Spanning the Katsura River, it serves as a premier, year-round scenic spot for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. It is historically significant for its Heian-period origins (836), traditional design, and role as a, cultural symbol of Kyoto.
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| Togetsuzen of Arashiyama Yoshiumra |
We took photos as we walked through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
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| Arashiyama Bamboo Grove |
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| A rickshaw |
We entered the Tenryu-ji Temple, exploring its Sogenchi Garden. Tenryu-ji, a top-ranked UNESCO World Heritage site in Arashiyama, Kyoto, is best known for its 14th-century Sogenchi Garden, the powerful "Cloud Dragon" painting in the Hatto Hall, and traditional Zen architecture. Visitors can also experience authentic shojin ryori (vegetarian cuisine), tranquil temple halls, and direct access to the famous Bamboo Grove.
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| Cherry Blossoms at Sogenchi Garden |
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| Camella |
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| Tenryu-ji Temple |
On the way to the train station, we stopped at
Kumonocha Cafe to rest a bit and tried the food they offer.
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| At Kumunocha Cafe |
At Osaka, we went back first to our hotel to rest before having our dinner.
You can dip the meat in the Wasabi or in the soy sauce (or both) before further grilling the meat to your liking. The side dishes can be added to the rice while you eat. It also has a warabi mochi for dessert.
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| At Gyukatsu Motomura |
Passed by Don Quijote for more souvenirs before going back to our hotel.
Labels: Chromebook, food, Mass, photography, travel
Day 3: Japan (Kyoto)
Our Day 3, my nieces would be bringing me to Kyoto to visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and the Hanami-koji Street. The latter in hope to catch a (real) Geisha.
Today, I would also be experiencing riding Japan's public bus. My nieces arranged that we take the train and the bus.
We walked our way to these landmarks. It is an uphill walk. The area has several stores--food stalls, souvenir shops, restaurants, etc.
On the way up, we paused for a snack. I tried a vanilla and matcha ice cream at Kyoto Kiyomizu Chigiriya.
We also stopped by Yuzen where I was able to buy chopsticks and have my name engraved on them. We will pick up the engraved chopsticks later.
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| Yuzen |
We wanted to try Starbucks there because of the experience of drinking your coffee differently--while on the floor. But the coffee shop is full. It also has a different facade which matches with the area.
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| Starbucks |
Took several photos near the Houkanji Temple and Yasaka Pagoda.
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| Yasaka Pagoda |
For lunch, we ate at Ninenzaka Kamanza. I ordered the Teriyaki Chicken Bowl. 👍 It is also here where I tried using chopsticks. My niece taught me how.
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| Ninenzaka Kamanza |
We then went back to Yuzen to pick-up our engraved chopsticks before proceeding to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, stopping from time to time to check stores and/ or buy items like in
Kuroroku.
We entered the temple grounds and took several photos.
On our way out, there was a group of ladies donning the Geisha attire. Many people flocked around them and took photos.
Our next destination is the Hanami-koji Street where you can find real Geisha if you would be able to catch them. We walked our way there, stopping at Starbucks to refresh after all that walking.
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| Hanami-koji Street |
We then went back to our hotel to rest a bit before having our dinner.
For dinner, we went to
Fukutaro. When we arrived at the restaurant, there were already people waiting outside to be seated. We ordered their Negiyaki Mixed (pork, shrimp, squid) and Okonomiyaki Beef. 👍
Back to the hotel.
Labels: Chromebook, food, photography, travel
Day 2: Japan (Osaka)
The second day of our Japan vacation is to go around Namba area, buying the items in our wish list.
Before leaving the hotel, I ate my breakfast which we bought from 7-Eleven last night. My niece taught me how to eat it.
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| Mini-Altar at bedside table |
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| Breakfast bought at 7-Eleven |
Our first stop would be at Tower Knives. On the way, we stopped to take photos from time to time. That's when something untoward happened. Anyway, lesson learned. Maybe best to take photos with your cellphone (no sound) than a regular camera. Avoid taking pictures with people in them unless you are in “tourist” areas.
When we reached Tower Knives, it was still closed. It opens at 10 AM. We decided to have coffee in one of the stores nearby. Chose cafe du petit.
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| At cafe du petit |
Before 10 AM, we went back to Tower Knives. It is a good experience as I have learned something new about knives. My niece chose the Santoku (a Japanese knife), and petty knives with different handles. The way to choose a knife is to use it and see how it feels in your hands when you are using it. The lady who assisted us also did some demo and gave snippets of information.
- Do not push the knife down when cutting.
- When cutting "hard" food, slice the knife back (Asian style) or slice forward (Western style). Best is slicing backward.
- When cutting soft food like tomatoes, slice back then forward.
You can also have your name engraved on the knife. My niece did it by putting the Japanese name.
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| Engraving at Tower Knives |
Next goal is to buy my On shoes. We would be going and walking our way to Abeno Q's Mall where the main branch of the shoes is located. On the way, passed by Tsutenkaku Tower. It is a 103-meter-tall landmark in Osaka’s retro Shinsekai district that serves as a symbol of the city.
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| Tsutenkaku Tower |
Back to my shoes. They do not carry my size.
Since we were already there, we had our lunch at the mall's food court--Q's Kitchen. The serving was so big that I did not finish my food.
We went back to the hotel first, dropping off our purchases and to rest a little before our afternoon activities. This is my first train ride in Japan via Osaka Metro. My niece taught me how to get the
icoca card and have it loaded up. It can be used for trains and buses.
Our first stop is at a Kimono rental where my nieces already made an appointment for the kimono rental and our hair was done. We walked our way to Osaka Castle wearing Japan's traditional dress. 😊
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| Osaka Castle |
This is where we had a lot of photos taken. We no longer entered the castle. It is enough that we explored the grounds outside the castle, usually the castle as a backdrop of our photos. On our way back to where we rented the kimono, it started to drizzle. Thank You, God, for the rain did not fall hard.
We then went to
Dotonbori for some (window) shopping and to have our dinner. We ate at
Tempura Makino Namba. My nieces have already researched where to eat so I can try them. It is my first time in Japan. They have been to Japan several times. I ordered their Tamago-Ten-Tsuki. 👍 It is a shrimp tempura set meal with egg tempura. The food is very good. I have not finished the food because I am already full.
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| Tempura Makino Namba |
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| Inside the Tempura Makino Namba |
For dessert, we tried the Strawberry Mania. Tried their Daifuku Daifuku. 👍
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| Strawberry Mania |
I also had my picture taken in front of the Glico Man billboard. They said if you haven't done so, you have not been to Osaka. LOL. The Glico Man is a famous, 33-meter-tall LED billboard in Osaka's Dotonbori district depicting a runner in a victory pose on a blue track. Installed in 1935, it symbolizes the energy-boosting properties of Ezaki Glico's caramel candy, with the "running man" mascot representing the 300 meters of energy provided by one piece.
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| Glico Man |
We passed by a Gashapon. My nieces wanted me to try it. They chipped in with coins and guided me how to do it (enter the three coins one at a time, turn the dial fully to the right, pick up your "prize").
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| Gashapon "prize" |
Before going back to the hotel to call it a day, we passed by Don Quixote for some souvenirs. They said, it is a must to experience buying at Don Quixote. And again, we went to 7-Eleven.
Labels: coffee, food, photography, travel
