Japan Day 5 - Travel to Osaka - Osaka Castle, Kuromon Ichiba Market & Dotonburi

Day 5

Towards Osaka next, it is just a 15 minutes ride from Kyoto by the Shinkansen.

Arrival at the Shin-Osaka station.

Midōsuji subway line in Osaka, which is not covered by the JR rail pass, so I had to buy a separate card for the rides!

I stayed in Arietta Hotel Osaka. Since I was early, I could only leave my luggage there and check in later at 3pm.

So much lighter after leaving my luggage, the first item on my itinerary was Osaka castle, so off I go!

One of the turrets of the Osaka Castle.

Walking towards the actual castle, through the Otemon Gate.

Some casual shots of the castle.

Also went up to have 360 degree view of the surrounding area, and there is also 8-level exhibition within on the history of this castle.

Went to Kuromon Ichiba market next, where they sell lots of seafood!

Scary looking sea urchin that is apparently a delicacy. I did not try it though!

Sights along the market.

Live preparation of the food when you order from all the stalls here!

And more seafood.

Me being not a big fan of raw seafood, I did not buy much. I then proceeded towards Shinsaibashi / Dotonburi area for my last stop for the day.

Had some lobster roll as my late afternoon snack. On hindsight should have proceeded straight to Dotonburi for street food, this costed me 980 yen and it wasn’t fantastic.

I walked and walked and reached Dotonburi even before I realised it. The first thing I noticed was the famous Glico Man and everyone’s taking picture with it. The actual thing is much more magnificent, this picture doesn’t do it any justice.

Headed back to the hotel to check in and freshen up before heading back here in the evening for dinner.

The trains in Japan are so packed, they have to have special cabins for the ladies.

Decided to have Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) for dinner since it is famous in Osaka. Spent a good 20 mins at least walking up and down trying to find this famous restaurant, only to realise its not opened! No idea what the words are saying though, anyone can decipher?

Thankfully I have internet connection and googled another random Okonomiyaki restaurant. Cannot remember what the name of the restuarant is. This was the auntie who helped to prepare my meal. It was really Oishii!

and she drew a funny looking Doraemon for me. Lol

Walked around after dinner around Dotonburi again and saw the lighted up night Glico Man board.

Headed to Umeda for day 6! Stay tuned for it.

Japan Day 4 - Kyoto - Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge, Bamboo forest & Tenryuji Temple) and Kinkaku-ji temple

Day 4 

Headed to Arayashima for day 4!

On the way to my first stop, Togetsukyo Bridge. Whole stretch of touristy shops for you to buy souvenirs.

Finally reached the bridge, lots of people taking picture with it.

Lots of nice and interesting restaurants.

Also have many hunks providing trishaw services, heard it's not cheap. Think its like 8,000 yen for 30 mins?

Then went to the Tenryuji Temple. Had to pay 500 or 600 yen for the entry.

Internal shots of the temple.

Resting point for visitors.

View from the resting point.

Went on to the bamboo forest (very difficult to get a shot without people).

Walked pass a cemetery while exiting this bamboo forest.

Was about 2PM when I was done walking. Decided to have lunch at a random shop on the way to the next temple, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).

The walls are literally gold! Really mesmerising.

Detailed shot of the temple.

Some candles there for you to buy and pray.

Headed back to rest after that, it had been a long day with lots of walking!

That’s the end of Kyoto! Osaka next (my least favourite of all places).

Japan Day 3 - Fushimi Inari Shrine

Day 3

Woke up early to check out of my AirBnB apartment and got myself a reserve tickets for the Shinkansen. How exciting!

I took the Hikari 505 train towards Shin-Osaka.

Train conductor ensuring that everyone has boarded before moving off.

The Shinkansen that I took.

Speed was more than 250KM/H using a speedometer app on my iPhone, though this is not the fastest it can go (speed depends on the routes that they are taking).

As it was still early, I left my luggage at the hostel and went to the Fushimi Inari shrine. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day, but still so crowded with tourists! Can’t get any proper shots without any people.

68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, 

Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 

Kyoto Prefecture 612-0882, Japan

Another hand cleansing ritual before entering the shrine.

The start of the route towards the summit.

I wonder how many of these Torri gates there are that lead up to the top of the mountain.

Map of the whole route

Finally the top! Not exactly a break-taking view since the weather wasn’t fantastic.

Feeling hungry, headed to Nishiki Market since I heard they have quite a large variety of food there. However to my dismay, they sell more of dried, preserved food there and not ready-to-eat food.

Got myself a matcha ice cream instead.

Headed out of the market towards the street for better restaurants, streets in Kyoto are so clean and beautiful!

Settled for Ipuddo Ramen while walking randomly.

Headed back to my Hostel to rest for the day. Stayed in Piece Hostel Kyoto, really nice and cheap! I stayed in a 4 person dorm.

Piecehostel

21-1 Higashikujo Higashisannocho, 

Minami Ward, Kyoto, 

Kyoto Prefecture 601-8004, Japan

Fellow travellers doing their thing in the common area.

Thats it for day 3. Arayashima next! It’s my 2nd favourite place (first being Kawaguchiko) for the whole trip!