Kyoto was once the imperial capital and center of Japan. A city where a countless of temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures are found and are still standing up to this day and some were named as a World Cultural Heritage Sites. A place where it is rich in culture and tradition. There is something in Kyoto that attracts travelers from around the world, definitely its history and people.
Kyoto has been my favorite city in Japan since the day I laid my eyes and set foot in it. It always amuses me as everywhere you go it seems there are hidden stories behind each place which I am curious about. Here are some places which I think is a must-see in Kyoto Japan.
Arashiyama
Arashiyama is located in the western part of Kyoto. It is famous for its bamboo forest but honestly, there are more interesting spots in this area than that. There are shrines and temples in the area, some beautiful garden and small shops where you can eat and enjoy local food.
Bamboo Forest In Arashiyama
Shinto shrine in Arashiyama
If you are fond of walking, just a tip is that if you walk further in the bamboo forest you can enjoy a tourist-free portion of it. I randomly walked around the area and I found a Japanese traditional house open to the public where you can check what it looks like inside. The locals within the area are also offering their own tea ceremony at a small fee, this way you can get a chance to experience and interact with locals.
A random neighborhood in Arashiyama.
You are welcome to check inside.
Train Tracks and tourist riding a rickshaw
On the other side of Arashiyama by crossing the Togetsukyo Bridge, there are also interesting places to visit such as shops and small villages.
Togetsukyo Bridge
For me, I would say that the minimum time to spend in Arashiyama would be a half day to a week, If you are visiting for a couple of hours then I am afraid you would not enjoy the beauty of the area.
Kinkaku-ji
Kinkaku-ji is a zen Buddhist temple located in the northern part of Kyoto. It is one of the famous buildings in Japan making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which are World Heritage Sites.
Visiting Kinkaku-ji requires an admission fee of 400 yen.
Ticket to Kinkaku-ji
The Kinkaku-ji has 3 floors in it. The upper two levels are made up of Gold Foil on lacquer covers which echo the extravagant Kitayama culture that developed in the wealthy aristocratic circles of Kyoto during Yoshimitsu's times. Each floor represents a different style of architecture. A shining phoenix stands on top of the shingled roof.
Closer look of the Golden Pavilion
The Golden Pavilion
The first level is built in the shinden style of the 11th- century imperial aristocracy; the second level is in buke style of the warrior aristocracy(used in samurai residences) and the top level is in the Chinese zenshu-butsuden style.
The Golden Pavilion
Inside Kinkaku-ji is a pond and islets which are the center of the garden. Rocks within it are donated by various provincial lords of the period and placed throughout the garden. The garden is listed as a National Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
After passing the Golden Pavilion, you will then pass some small temples and gardens. The gardens hold a few other spots of interest including Anmintaku Pond that is said to never dry up, and statues that people throw coins at for luck.
Landscape inside the Golden Pavilion
Traditional Houses inside the Golden Pavilion
Tourist sending their offerings for luck
After the gardens, it will lead you to Sekkatei Teahouse. In this area, you will find souvenir and food shops.
Going to the shops
For me, I would say that the minimum time to spend in the Golden Pavilion would around 2-3 hours depending if you want to enjoy your tea time.
Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Fushimi Inari is a shrine located below the Mt. Inari. It is located down south of Kyoto. It can be accessible by bus from Kyoto Station (you can use the Kyoto Bus Pass) or via Train. From the bus stop or JR Station, it would take around 5 - 10 mins walk to reach the shrine itself.
Fushimi Inari
Arriving at the shrine, you will then be greeted with a huge Torii Gate. Fushimi Inari has been a patron of Businessmen, merchants, and manufacturers as Inari is a God of Rice. Each Torii gate you see in the shrines are donated by businessmen with their names engrave in it. It is said that if you placed a Torii gate in this shrine it will bring you luck on your business or your endeavors. Small Torii gates are sold around the area if you wish to try your luck.
Piles of Torii Gate
Fushimi Inari has lots of different shrines within it and there are lots of temples to go through as there is a hiking trail leading to the peak of Mt. Inari. Most tourist who came here only limit themselves into the array of Torii gates which is located near the foothills of the mountain. Either they are lazy to go up or they are just there to enjoy their selfie time. Little do they know the more you go farther from the base the less crowd you can get, so you'll probably like own the entire area and you can get the picture-perfect photo you've always wanted.
The Hiking Trail Map
The hiking trail usually takes around 2hrs depending on your pace and if you do a lot of some small stops on some of the temples and shrines that interest you. There are also vending machines along the way and the prices would really soar up depending on how far you are from the base. There is also a small lake along the way and place where you can place/offer your small torii gates you bought.
Piles of small Torii gates with the small lake behind it
It was almost dark when I started to climb up the mountain. The more you go up, the fewer people you can meet or see. Climbing alone and in the dark creates a fearsome mood as there are cemeteries along the way and it is creepy to think of.
View from the top (almost halfway, though)
Reaching the summit really is rewarding for some but do you know what's on the top? To be honest the summit is a bit of a bummer for me, I was expecting a more impressive view of the city but instead, it was a temple or a cemetery(not really sure what it is). Even said that it is still worth the climb, how would you know what's on the top by going through it right? Although it was not what I expected (my expectation was a bit high), I still learn something and seeing the history and tradition of the area plus I also burn lots of fats.hahah
Signage on the top
Temple / Cemetery at the top
For me, I would say that the minimum time to spend in the Fushimi Inari would be around 2 - 4 hours depending if you want to do the hiking trail. I still recommend the hiking part especially if you do it at night time.
Kiyomizu Dera
Located halfway up Otowa Mountain in the eastern part of Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is a historic temple that was established in 778, even before Kyoto became the capital of Japan. The temple has been burned down many times and the current building was rebuilt by the third Shogun.
The Main Hall(Hondo) of the temple is designated as a national treasure. The temple was registered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
I decided to visit Kiyomizu-dera at night as I heard there are special night viewing on spring and might as well check how it looks like at night. The entrance fee was around 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for students.
Temple in Kiyomizu-dera
Children show at Niou- Mon gate
Niou-mon is a magnificent gate in the Maromachi style. The gate is called "Akamon (Red gate)." When I visited it there were children singing just below the gate.
Children show at Niou- Mon gate
The two most famous parts of the temple are the Main Hall, where the Eleven-Headed and Thousand Armed Kannon Bodhisattva - which is famous for its power of answering prayers - is enshrined, and Kiyomizu Stage, the veranda of the Main Hall, which extends over a precipice.
A Pagoda just after the entrance
A huge bell right after the entrance.
Upon entering the temple, I was curious on an exhibit that depicts how ancient Buddhists usually lived and do in a basement. For a donation of 100 yen, you get the chance to experience to go through an underground passage which was very dark with barefoot and without any light to go through the other end of it. It was a quick and a bit scary journey but then I will leave it to you on what you will see underground once you are there.
Tourist paying their tribute
Kiyomizu-dera is the temple of the Goddess of Mercy, a symbol of religious belief for more than 1,200 years.
I went to the Main Hall and the view was fascinating at night. You can see the entire city of Kyoto with its colorful lights.
View from the Hall
It was relaxing seeing those lights that shine like diamonds. The gardens were also lit up well and it was very serene.
A small pond inside the temple
The area was so big that I even don't know which parts to check first as all of them are inviting. So I just randomly go through each of them once and then went back to the exit part. Upon reaching the exit, I heard a girl playing on traditional Japanese music beside the Niou-Mon Gate, so I decided to stay and listen for a while. It was really relaxing listening to it to as it is like you are transported back to ancient Kyoto.
Japanese Girl Playing Traditional Music
For me, I would say that the minimum time to spend in the Kiyomizu-dera would be around 3 - 5 hours depending if you want to relax and enjoy the beauty of it.
There are lots of places to go to and things to do in Kyoto like the Gion Area to see a real Geisha, The Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Philosophers walk. Traditional Onsen and much more. Kyoto has been my favorite city in Japan out of the city that I've been to and will definitely stay here for the next visit that I will make in Japan.
The above temples/attractions are my recommendation if you want to check the best of Kyoto and are having a limited time and hard time choosing for which temple/attraction to visit.
Have you been to Kyoto? Share your stories and experiences below.
Just less than an hour by train from Osaka or Kyoto, Nara is one of the famous day trip destination in the Kansai Region. Situated in the eastern part of the Kansai Region, Nara had once been the capital of Japan from 710 to 794. Nara may not be as exciting as its neighboring cities like Kyoto and Osaka, Nara has its own charm and is home to no less than 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Welcome to Nara
Arriving from major train lines such as JR Nara Station or Nara Kintetsu Station, it would be easy for you to move around as the attractions are just reachable by walking. Just outside JR Nara Station is the tourist information center where you can ask for information and free map.
While walking in the streets of Nara going to the attractions, shops are found along the way. I highly recommend trying the traditional Nara food which is the "Mochi". It is a green colored snack with beans in it. Don't mistake it for a green tea or matcha base food, it is quite different and locals say it is made of grass from Nara.
Walking through the streets in Nara
Here are the things to expect when visiting Nara for a day.
Oh, my Deer, They are Everywhere!
To those people who have been to Nara before, the first thing they associate Nara with is 'Deer'. Deer are found everywhere in Nara. These deer can freely roam the streets and parks of Nara. It has the VIP status making them unharmed and famous in the area. It is also the most iconic animal in Nara. It has been a belief that the deer were the designated messengers of God before Buddhism flourished. With that, it became a tourist attraction in the area and is one of the top reason why travelers visit Nara.
Whats up?
A deer who went shopping.. hehe
yo
Deer in Nara are friendly in nature. They were already used to tourist feeding them with junk foods and petting them but authorities advise tourist to be careful all the time as there were deer attacks in the past making them install a friendly reminder to tourist to be careful which is seen across the area. Deer food is also sold in some shops for 150 yen.
Temples and Parks
There are lots of temple and Parks to visit in Nara. Most of which are just within walking distance with each other and some are free of charge.
The Kofuku-Ji Temple (興福寺) is used to be a family temple of a famous powerful family clan in Nara. The five-story pagoda which is one of the tallest pagodas in Japan is also a symbol and famous landmark in Nara. Opening hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
five-story pagoda in Nara
The Kofuku-Ji Temple in Nara
The Todai-Ji Temple (東大寺) is the largest wooden structure temple in the world. It is also the main attraction in Nara. There is an entrance to the main temple where you can see a massive Vairocana statue, popularly known as Daibutsu (Great Buddha). It was burned down twice in fires that broke out as result of war. Opening hours: Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Entrance to Todai-ji Temple
Side view
If you happen to visit Nara around March, they are celebrating the Omizutori Festival by that time. It is an annual Buddhist festival in Nara that welcomes Spring with a number of rituals and ceremonies. It's one of Japan's oldest festivals. Each night of the festival large torches is lit outside Nigatsudo Hall at Todaiji Temple in a specular fire show. Viewing this fire display is thought to bring good luck to the audience.
The Nigatsudo Hall is made up entirely wood and it is really a challenge for those men not to burn it. In the past, there were lots of temples already burnt out in Nara. The activity is said to clean the impurity and irradicate the bad things in the world just like lighting a firecracker on a new year for us Filipinos.
People waiting for the Fire show Festival at Nigatsudo Hall
Omizutori Festival in Nara
Initially, I wasn't aware of this festival. I was just lured by other travelers and locals flocking to this area. At first, I really don't know what it is all about until I ask some locals and Policemen who knew how to speak English. Also at the start of the event, they also give an introduction to the said activity in English / Japanese and Chinese, what it is all about and why it is done.
The famous park which is the Nara Park where you will find a lot of deer roaming around. It is a nice place to relax. This is the best place to feed the deer and hang out with them. It also a nice place to do biking.
A pond in Nara going to Nara Park
Deer waiting to be fed in Nara Park
Have you been to Nara? Share your stories and experiences below.
If there is something that Japanese are known for, it's their advanced and high technology. From fancy vending machines, sophisticated toilets to efficient transport systems, Japanese are experts in this field.
There are plenty of ways to travel within Japan but there seems to be a Pass which is famous among foreign tourist which is the Japan Rail Pass or the JR Pass. This article will talk all about the JR Pass if it's worth it or suitable to your travel in Japan.
What is a Japan Rail Pass (JR PASS)?
The Japan Rail Pass (also commonly called JR Pass) is a very cost effective rail pass for long distance train travel in Japan. It can be used by foreign tourists only and offers unlimited use of JR trains for one, two or three weeks at a minimal cost. Described by Lonely Planet as ‘one of the world’s greatest travel bargains’ that residents of Japan can only dream of.
How to Purchase a JR PASS?
The JR pass can only be purchase and use by tourist. It has to be purchased before arriving in Japan. This can be purchased through several accredited travel agencies within your country(For Philippines: Discovery Tours is one) or you can order them online(such as Inside Japan) and have it delivered to your doorstep.
There are two types of JAPAN RAIL PASS: Green (for superior-class Green cars), and Ordinary. Each of these types is available as a 7-day, 14-day, or 21-day PASS.
Current Prices as of Oct 2016:
Ticket Prices
How to use the JR PASS?
Upon purchasing, The agency will send a voucher for you to exchange for the actual pass at one of the JR ticket offices when you arrive in Japan(See here for the list). To redeem the pass you must bring along your passport as proof that you have entered the country on a ‘temporary visitor’ visa, or prove that you are a Japanese national whose permanent residence is now outside of Japan and the voucher itself. Please note that the voucher is non-transferable upon purchase.There are no date restrictions on the voucher and you do not need to start using the pass from the date you exchange your voucher; you can select any date within a one month period as your starting date. However, once you’ve been issued with your printed pass, the starting date cannot be changed, so make sure you’ve selected the right date beforehand.
In order to use this pass, you need to bypass the electronic ticket gates and proceed to the lane where there is a manned ticket office and show them your pass. Make sure to bring your passport during this time as there are cases that they will inspect your pass if it is registered to you.
Validity of the JR PASS
The JR pass is valid through six companies comprising the Japan Railways Group (JR Group). You can enjoy unlimited Railway, Bus and even ferry for as long as it is within the JR Group. For the entire list of Railway, Buses, and Ferry valid for JR Pass checkhere.
For more detailed info, Please visit the Japan Rail Pass here.
Does getting a JR PASS worth it?
With all the information above, the question is, Is the pass worth it? For me, it really boils down to your planned Itinerary and how well you organized it. In order to get a better picture of what I am talking about let's take a few examples.
Take note: Prices indicated in the example below are estimates. For every example below, The column JR COST - is an estimated cost of transport by buying the ticket individually and comparing the total cost on this column to the price of the 7 days JR PASS. For the cheaper options column are the mixed mode of transport in which it will list the possible cheaper option for the same route.
Example 1:
Person X is spending 7 days in Japan, arriving and departing in Tokyo. Person X wants to visit Tokyo & surrounding areas. Person X is staying at Asakusa Area and wants to explore areas within Tokyo(Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ginza, Odaiba, Roppongi) and will go for a day trip to Mount Fuji and Disneyland.
If a 7 day JR pass is used which cost around ¥29,000+ on the above itinerary, it is not worth it as the price of purchasing the tickets individually is cheaper than the pass itself. Surprisingly by taking other options, you can see that there is a huge difference between the two options.
Example 2:
Person Y is spending 7 days in Japan, arriving and departing in Tokyo. Person Y wants to visit Tokyo & other cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara.
If a 7 day JR pass is used which cost around ¥29,000+ on the above itinerary, then you may save a lot by using it but surprisingly by taking other options, you can see that there is a huge difference between the two options.
Example 3:
Person Z is spending 7 days in Japan, arriving in Osaka and departing in Tokyo. Person Z wants to visit Tokyo & other cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara.
If a 7 day JR pass is used which cost around ¥29,000+ on the above itinerary, it is not worth it as the price of purchasing the tickets individually is cheaper than the pass itself. Surprisingly by taking other options, you can see that there is a huge difference between the two options.
Out of this following examples, we can say that there is a huge different within the options presented and that itinerary had huge role on your spending.
In General, JR PASS is not worth it when:
You are a budget traveler and want to save by going through other cheaper options.
You will not be traveling longer distance travel more often and will not be using JR lines.
You are focusing on bigger cities which have their own local unlimited transportation pass.
You are fine not traveling in comfort and if you are OK with traveling at a slow pace.
If all the items above doesn't describe your trip behavior or flow, then you are better off with having the JR PASS.
In my opinion, for a backpacker and budget traveler like me who always finds a cheaper option to anything, I would personally discourage budget travelers to get the JR Pass as you clearly see a huge difference between the prices and it is quite expensive and not worth it.
In order to save a lot, make use of the buses as it is one of the cheaper options out there.The overnight bus between Tokyo and Osaka are very cheap and thus saving a night of accommodation, the cheapest I saw was around ¥2000 one way. Also, make use of the unlimited transportation in every city like the unlimited bus ride in Kyoto for ¥500 which will take you to almost all of the attractions in the city, a one-way bus fare in Kyoto cost around ¥210. While in Tokyo, the Tokyo Metro unlimited subway pass which allows you to take unlimited subway ride within Tokyo but only limited to Tokyo Metro and Subways (excluding JR lines) which cost depending on how many days you want it, a day will cost for ¥800, 2 for ¥1,200 and 3 for ¥1,500, the one way railway trip within Tokyo will cost you around ¥160 depending your destination. There are plenty of customized pass valid for specific city or region, you just need to check which one is appropriate for you depending on your planned trip.
At the end of the day, as long as we are enjoying our trip by any means is still our utmost goal while traveling. As a saying goes "It's not about the destination, but the journey that matters most".
Have you tried the JR PASS? Share your stories and experiences below.
The Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan. Located in the southern part of Taiwan, the Sun Moon Lake is a famous tourist destination both for travelers and locals. This article will give you information about Sun Moon Lake and as well as my experiences in it.
The best way to get through Sun Moon Lake is by bus from Taichung. Bus routes from and to Sun Moon Lake are located in Taichung Gancheng Bus Station. Round trip bus ticket from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake cost around NTD 340 and you can purchase them at the bus station. Also, there are package or combo tickets which include the roundtrip tickets plus a cable car pass, a theme park ticket and etc. You can check what combo tickets you like all for a bargain price. The earliest bus from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake is around 7-8am and the last bus from Sun Moon Lake to Taichung is around 7-8pm, you may refer here. The bus frequency is within 30mins to an hour depending if there are traffic jams along the way. The travel time from Taichung to Nantou (where the bus stop and where the lake is) should be around 1hr 30 mins but since there are unexpected traffic jams and etc. the actual time travel time was around 2 hrs 30mins so budget your time accordingly. I purchased the roundtrip ticket alone as I want to be flexible as to what I will do when I get there since I am only doing a full day trip.
Bus ride to Sun Moon Lake
Once you arrive in Nantou, just in front of the bus stop is the Shueishe Visitor Center. From there I gathered Information as to which attractions are open and on promotion. It was the cherry blossom festival at the Formosan aboriginal culture village(there is also a theme park inside it) when I visited but the tickets are a bit expensive for me and I am only interested in the aboriginal village, not the theme park itself or the cherry blossom so I gave it a pass.
Shueishe Visitor Center
There are plenty of things to do in Sun Moon Lake, from hiking, biking. Island hopping, Food trip, go to a theme park and etc but decided that I will do the Island Hopping and the Biking Trail. I did the Island Hopping first so I can reserve the best for last as the Biking Trail is one of CNN's top ten scenic biking routes.
Shui She Wharf /Pier
I paid NTD 300 for the Island Hopping tickets which comprised of 3 boat rides and 2 islands to explore.
Island Hopping Route
The first stop is the Xiangshan temple, In this area, you can visit the Xiangshan temple and do the Qinglong Mountain Trail hiking trail leading to other Temple, I stayed around 2hrs in this area and did the hike.
Qinglong Mountain Trail
The second stop is the Ita Thao. There are lots of things to do in this area, you can do food trip, shopping, hike, do bicycle trips and etc.. Also in this area, you can find the cable car or ropeway going to the Formosan aboriginal culture village. When we arrived we were greeted with a traditional Formosan Aboriginal song. I listen and watch the show, eat some local food and then roam around the area. I stayed around 2-3 hours before I went back to Shueishe Pier.
Formosan Aboriginal Show
Ita Thao
When I arrived back in Shueishe Pier, I hurriedly went to a bicycle rental shop to rent a bicycle. The bicycle rental price differs from which type of bicycle you are renting. I chose a mountain bike and originally the rental price is around NTD 300-500 depending on which shop and for a full day. Since I am only having around 5hrs of time to enjoy the bicycle, I haggled the price to NTD 150 and the owner agreed and gave me a map and direction of where the famous bike route was and started pedaling. The 30km cycling route if done straight pedaling would take around an hour and a half to 2 hours depending on your pacing but since the view is worth checking then you need to do some stops in between. It was a foggy day when I went there so the views were not that fantastic but I could clearly imagine what would it like if it was on a fine weather. I stayed until sunset before I head back to the center.
Stopped at a nearby cottage to relax and check the views
Me with the bicycle. This could have been an awesome view without the fog.
For me, it was like cycling around Palawan and seeing nearby islands in it. It was one of the best things I've done in Taiwan.
Have you been to Sun Moon Lake? Share your stories and experiences below.
