Kansai 16 - Kyoto (Part 1)
We bought the Hankyu Tourist Pass (1 day @ 700 Yen) at Hotel New Kankyu since we were travelling to Kyoto as well as Arashiyama via the Hankyu Railway on the same day. The journey from Osaka to Kyoto was slightly less than an hour, super easy to go. =)
Highly recommending Hotel Grand Bach! The room rate was relatively cheap ($100+ per night) and directly connected to Kawaramachi Station @ Kyoto. The bathroom comes with rain shower and massage jets, which was quite shiok. That's not all. The hotel also has public bath and supper ( simple porridge). Impressive for the price paid. The Osaka hotels that I stayed only have basic facilities and cost me $230-300+ per night. =_="
We went to Nishiki Ichiba Market for lunch, which is just walking distance from our hotel. Lotza snacks and fruits. If you are here at Kyoto, remember to buy Kyoto grapes! They tasted just like Hi-Chew grape flavoured sweets. The sweetness was just unbelievable. I actually preferred the grapes to strawberries. The grapes were sold around 1000+ yen for a small packet (depending on the weight) but they were sold like $20+ at Taka Cold Storage.
Squid with quail egg head
Flowers that smelt so good!
Another must eat is the matcha warabi mochi. It is a more jelly type of mochi, very different from those taiwanese mochi. Must try! If you are keen to find out how it tastes like, you can find it at Buruto @ CBD. Although Kyoto one still tasted better lah. =p
Too bad, it can only keep for 2-3 days, so cannot buy back as souvenir. =(
Next, Arashiyama for tourist sightseeing.. cannot be eating all day one mah, although I must say majority of our time at Kansai was EAT...keke
It took about 20 minutes from Kyoto to Arashiyama, a place where we really enjoy the peaceful and quaint little shops and restaurants. There's a map of the town at the station, dont forget to take one!
We first went to Monkey Park Iawtayama, which is around 20 minutes walk from the station. Well, we went with slippers, without realizing that we got to trek uphill..
This was just the beginning..... the staircases slowly turn to muddy uneven path; dunno why we always ended up trekking when we went for holidays... @#$%
This was like after 20 minutes and we were nowhere near the hill top.....OMG
Finally..... we reached the hill top where the monkeys reside and a bird eye's view of Arashiyama, after like 45mins to an hour?
Ok lah, we got no stamina. I think if I tell people I've been to Nepal for trekking a few years back, I dont think any one will believe.... but I did hor. Anyway, it was not easy to 'giap' my slippers, especially when the path was muddy and slippery. If you are coming here, please wear proper walking shoes. Well, at least the route downhill was easier and faster.
We were not supposed to pet the monkeys, so could only take pictures from far. But then, you can pay a fee to buy peanuts to feed them... with you inside the "cage". I cheapo, I didnt buy the peanuts but took "free" videos while others fed the monkeys. Hop to my instagram to see the video!
Saw this at the shrine near the entrance of the Park. Whoever you are, we totally feel you....
Crossing Togetsukyo Bridge to the town for food and tibits!
But first, we visited Tenryuji Temple.
We skipped the temple but just visited the garden which will lead to the Bamboo Groves. You can also take the other route (refer to the map which you can get at the station) to go straight to the Bamboo Groves if you dont want to pay the entrance fees.
Bamboo Groves
Arashiyama is famous for its tofu, so dont go off without trying! We randomly went into a restaurant and ordered a full tofu set.
This tofu skin (teoke yuba) was really interesting... Must try!
With that, we said goodbye to Arashiyama... ^_^
Back to Osaka for dinner at Kichi Kichi Omu Rice, which is again walking distance from my hotel. Told you, my hotel damn good. Keke
Kichi Kichi Omu Rice (5pm to 9pm)
Address: 185-4 Zaimokucho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8017, Japan
As the restaurant is really small, probably sit around 10 - 12 pax, so if you are keen to try this, remember to make reservation online! Location is at a small alley, so check with your hotel reception to find the way.
The omu rice was great but not wow. I think the chef was more entertaining than the food. Haha... For me, it's good to just try once. =)
That's all for Part 1! Be back!
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