Japan (2013) Day 8: Goodbye Kansai Region & My Shopping Hauls

Date Visited: 18th October 2013

Every trip must comes to an end and so does this one. It's our final day here in Japan and of course, it's difficult to bid goodbye to this amazing and wonderful country - definitely one of the best countries I ever visited. Packed our luggage, check-out from the hotel and heading back to Kansai International Airport. From Kawaramachi-dori where we stayed, we hopped on Kyoto City bus to Kyoto Station and immediately from there, boarded on  Haruka Limited Express directly to the airport. The train ride takes approximately of 80 minutes.  

#1: Using ICOCA & Haruka we bought on the first day arrived - Check out the post HERE

#2: Search result from Hyperdia

#3: Kansai International Airport - Best part is there is a free WiFi!

Right after we done with all the process of counter check-in and dropping our luggage, both mommy and I ventured around for food and last minute shopping. We even found our favourite eatery, Kamukura Ramen which we had earlier in Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and we really don't mind to have them for second time cause it's absolutely delicious and affordable too. I couldn't remember whether the price is same as the one in city but even it's different, only by slightly charges. 

#4: We ordered a set consists of shouyu ramen and donbori at Kamukura Ramen

And if you are looking for Japanese snacks and confectioneries like variety flavours of Kit Kat, popular Tokyo Banana, Royce Chocolate and etc, yes - they are available in the airport as well. Don't worry about the price cause I found out they are selling at the same price as the rest of the places. Hence, shop with peace of mind. Except for knick knacks and souvenirs such as fridge magnets, keychains, T-shirts and so on, these items are selling at more higher price.

#5: Shops and souvenirs

#6: Our official airlines for this trip unfortunately flight to Osaka from Kota Kinabalu is now cancelled.

#7: Departure lounge - I really love to be back Kansai again

#8: In-flight meal - Pasta and soba

#9: Definitely looking forward for another trip to Japan again

Because we flew with Malaysia Airlines which each of us has 30kg luggage allowance, hence we don't have to worry about over-limit issue. Most of the time, my bag weighted up to 20kg by end of the trip. So for this time around, what did I buy throughout my 8 days and 7 nights in Japan?

#10: My shopping haul - Obviously I bought more snacks and food

#11: Japanese cream coated biscuit sticks - My favourite one

Majority I bought from drugstores in Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, supermarkets, convenience stores such as Lawson and 7-Eleven. But I personally think Fran taste more better than Pocky.  

#12: Kit Kat in Japan are really unique and has more flavours

Updated: 

From top left to bottom left - Hojicha Roasted Tea Flavour (Kyoto), Matcha Green Tea Flavour (Kyoto), Cinnamon Cookie Flavour (Kyoto)

From top right to bottom right - Strawberry Cheese Cake Flavour, Sakura Matcha Flavour and Strawberry Flavour. 

A standard box of Kit Kat like the three on left one are sold at the price of 840 yen each and each box has 12 small packets. Mostly can be found in drugstores, convenience stores, supermarkets as well in Kansai International Airport, like I mentioned earlier. Somehow, I wish Nestle can produce and sell in a smaller box, similar to the in Sakura Matcha Flavour cause besides being too bulky, a box contains 12 same flavour seems to be quite a lot for me.

(Check out my old post here for other flavours of Kit Kat and how it looks like for a standard box.)

#13: More food hauls

#14: Porch specially made in Japan

#15: Three beautiful paper files bought from Arashiyama, Hello Kitty tote bag, themed T-shirt from Osaka, shorts and long pant from Uniqlo and both blue hat and tote bag from 100 yen store in Kyoto.

#16: Japanese amulets for health, happiness and safety

#17: My shopping hauls wouldn't complete without keychain and fridge magnets collection.

Majority of the ladies went Japan to buy beauty and cosmetic products but not for me. However, most of the reviews I came across were these items are incredibly cheap in Japan. So in case anyone of you are planning to go Japan for the very first time and love make-up, perhaps you could check them out. 

With this post, it concludes the end of my Kansai Region, Japan 2013 Autumn travelogues.

Next Post >>> Accommodations in Osaka & Kyoto 

Japan (2013) Day 7: Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji & Ginkaku-ji

Date Visited: 16th October 2013

Second day in Kyoto and that's also indicates our second final day in Japan before we left tomorrow. Our itinerary for the day is to do temples sightseeing. We used the Kyoto City Bus One Day Pass which we bought a day earlier in Kyoto Bus Station for 500 yen. Like I mentioned in previous post, except for Arashiyama & Fushimi Inari Shrine, majority of the main attractions may best be reached by bus. 

#1: Stumbled upon Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine not far away from our hotel while looking for breakfast

As there is a bus stop nearby our hotel in Kawaramachi-dori, from there we waited and took the Kyoto City Bus #101 or 205 directly to our first destination of the day, Kinkaku-ji Temple. Upon reaching the Kinkaku-ji Michi bus stop, it requires another few minutes walk before we could clearly see the amazing temple itself. Just follow the Kinkaku-ji Temple sign or else, follow the huge crowd go.

#2: Kinkaku-ji from far away

#3: More upclose of Kinkaku-ji

#4: Side view of Kinkaku-ji

Kinkakuji Temple, or also known as Golden Pavilion is a Zen temple located in northern Kyoto whose top two floors wholly coated in shining and brilliant gold leaf. It's obviously one of the well-known attractions cause it's full with crowds of tourists, both local and foreign on that particular day we were there. But what disappointed me the most was there's no reflection shimmering across the surface of the pond, or else it's going to be a perfect phototaking. 

#5: Fudo Hall, a small temple outside the exit 

#6: Japanese prayer tablets 

How To Get To Kinkaku-ji:
Take Kyoto City Bus #101 and 205 from Kyoto Bus Station to the Kinkaku-ji Michi bus stop.
Admission Fee: 400 yen
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm

From Kinkaku-ji, we moved on to another temple, Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto's eastern mountains. In order to get to Ginkaku-ji, it can be reached by taking bus #5, 17 and 100.  Get off at the Ginkaku-ji Michi bus stop and from there, it takes 10 minutes walk. 

#7: The Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji

Despite being known as Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji was never coated in silver colour. Instead, it is believed that the name given as a nickname more than a century after the building's construction to contrast it with the Golden Pavilion. 

#7: Meticulously maintained dry sand garden, knonw as the "Sea of Silver Sand" with a massive sand cone named "Moon Viewing Platform"

#8: A beautiful moss garden

After walking along a circular route around its ground, there is a path whereby visitors can walk up to a hill to have better views of the entire temple grounds as well as the city beyond. It's easy walk by the way, don't worry eventhough you don't have a strong stamina. 

#9: View of the entire temple grounds and the city from hill

How To Get To Ginkaku-ji:
Take Kyoto City Bus #5, 7 and 100 from Kyoto Bus Station to the Ginkaku-ji Michi bus stop. It takes 10 minutes walk from the bus stop.
Admission Fee: 500 yen
Opening Hours: Open daily 8.30am to 5pm

The thing about travel along with my mom is she let me do sightseeing during the broad daylight whereas I will accompany her doing shopping spree at night. Sounds fair, right? Right after we done with temples sightseeing, we went to Kyoto-Yodabashi which not far away from Kyoto Station. This is where a vast of electronic products such as cameras and computer stuffs are selling with rock-bottom prices. But the main reason we went there wasn't for that but to look for my brothers' stuff instead.

Before we went back to our hotel, we decided to stopby at Gion which its well-known for geisha district in Kyoto. Gion wasn't far away from where we stayed and that's explain why I made up my mind to stay around Kawaramachi-dori area. As I missed out the chance to catch a glimpse of geisha previously, so I decided to try another luck this time around but unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side again. 

#10: Gion, Kyoto most famous district for geisha

#11: What a cute little donuts? How can I eat all these?

Next Post >>> Day 8: Goodbye Kansai Region & My Shopping Haul

Japan (2013) Day 6: From Osaka to Kyoto [Arashiyama & Fushimi Inari Shrine]

Date Visited: 15th October 2013

Up to date, Kyoto is still my most favourite city in Japan. It's like love at first sight when I visited for the very first time five years ago. So when I return back to Kansai again, I decided to stay for two nights. 

After checking-out from the second hotel we stayed in Osaka, we took train from Shin-Osaka station to Kyoto station using ICOCA card we bought earlier. Upon arrived Kyoto Station, we took Kyoto City Bus to our hotel located in Kawaramachi-dori. With only two subway lines in Kyoto, the ideal way to travel around is by taking bus cause majority of the stations located far away from the main tourist attractions. 

Kyoto City Bus One Day Pass = 500 yen for unlimited bus rides 

#1: Kyoto City Bus 

One way bus ride cost 220 yen and with more than two bus rides, Kyoto City Bus One Day Pass is absolutely worth the price. Because the time we check-in was still early, the room wasn't ready yet for us. Without wasting any time, we left our luggages in the hotel and decided to venture Arashiyama, more outlying area from the city centre which is famed for bamboo forest. 

From my maiden experience, taking bus to Arashiyama would be more time consuming and hence, may best be reached by train instead. Hopped on to Kyoto City Bus to travel back to Kyoto station for train ride. The nearest station to Arashiyama is JR Saga-Arashiyama and one way ride from Kyoto Station takes 15 minutes only under JR Sagano line. 

#2: Platform number for JR Sagano Line 

#3: From JR Saga-Arashiyama, head over to the south gate for the bamboo forest and it requires 10-15 minutes walk.

This is my second time to visit the bamboo forest but I think the route from the train station to there is relatively confusing with the lack of signboard printed. Both mommy and I relied on the map and asked for the direction from the friendly local and therefore, it took more than 20 minutes until we found the bamboo forest. Plus, it was raining on that day and making this trip uncomfortable. 

#4: Despite the confusing route, I still love to return to this bamboo forest.

#5: Nonomiya shrine in the center of the bamboo forest

#6: Japan's parks and gardens are always so attractive and impressive 

After taking the shots I want, we walked to Togetsukyo Bridge and passby quite number of restaurants and souvenir shops selling cute and adorable handcrafted articles. Too "kawaii" that we can't help ourselves from keep visiting all these souvenir stores. 

#7: So kawaii but unfortunately, I didn't buy any of them. They weren't cheap anyway.

#8: Beautiful exhibition 

From Arashiyama, we proceeded to Fushimi Inari Shrine by taking train.

JR Saga-Arashiyama ---> JR Kyoto ---> JR Inari (along the JR Nara line) 

While on the way from JR Kyoto station to JR Inari station, we realised that we board on the wrong train cause the train didn't make any stop when reaching JR Inari station. Immediately we hopped off on the next boarding station, and took the right train to JR Inari station. Honestly to say even I went Japan for three times, I still board on the wrong train somehow. Silly me!

#9: Straight away from the train station, Fushimi Inari shrine was within our sight

Fushimi Inari Shrine is the most important and notable shrine in Kyoto city. It's a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, sake and prosperity. Somehow, somewhere it remind me of my favourite sushi, Inari Sushi when I heard the name for the very first time. Fushimi indicates the location and was added to the name in order to distinguish it from the rest of Inari shrines. But honestly to say what attract the visitors to travel all the way to here is for its astonish and exceptional sight of more than 10,000 small and vibrant orange torii gates that arch a long walking path up to the hill.

#10: Vibrant orange torii gates

#11: A walking path leads through a tunnel of torii gates

#12: The two dense rows of torii gates of Senbon Torii

Times were catching up and the day decided to give way to the night. We're absolutely exhausted and decided to go back to Kyoto station for dinner. 

#13: Stunning Kyoto Tower 

Next Post >>> Day 7: Kinkaku-ji & Ginkaku-ji Temple

Japan (2013) Day 5: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Date Visited: 14th October 2013

Osaka Aquarium, which also locally known as Kaiyukan is claimed to be one of the largest aquariums in the world. This is one of my travel wishlist I wish to do and see if I happen to revisit Osaka again, and now I had finally accomplished it [Check out my old post - Things To Do & See in Osaka]. Visiting any kind of zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and anything that relate to animals is what I always passionate about. 

We went Shin-Osaka Visitors' Information Center which situated inside Shin-Osaka station (unfortunately closed since 31 March 2014) to purchase the Osaka Kaiyu Ticket. It's combination of Aquarium Kaiyukan admission and Osaka Subway One Day Pass which sold at 2,550 yen. In the case of purchase separately, the admission fee for Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan alone is 2,300 yen and Osaka Subway One Day Pass cost 600 yen, which indicates we save at least by 350 yen for a pax by purchasing the Osaka Kaiyu Ticket. 

#1: Osaka Kaiyu Ticket (combination of Aquarium Kaiyukan admission and Osaka Subway One Day Pass) = 2,550 yen per pax

#2: Greeted by lovely and friendly mascot

The nearest station is Osakako Station on the Chuo subway line. From the station, it requires 5-10 minutes walk to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Out from the station, look for the huge Tempozan Ferris Wheel as Kaiyun located next to it.  

#3: View from Osakako Station and walk towards the huge Tempozan Ferris wheel 

#4: Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel 

#5: Overview of Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan - Such a beautiful decoration 

The tour started at 8th floor, that's the top floor and slowly making our way down through the exhibits in the spiral form. The main attraction is the largest central tank which houses thousands of sea creatures from the Pacific Ocean including whale shark, different kind of rays and more. 

#6: Whale shark 

#7: Stingray with smiling face 

#8: The happy feet are waiting to be fed

#9: Great Barrier Reef tank - One of the most colourful tanks I came across

#10: Tunnel tank

#11: The jellyfish exhibit - My favourite area 

#12: The fat ringed seal

My mom and I spent more than two hours ventured around Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan before we make a move to a shopping centre, tucked in between the aquarium and the Ferris wheel which consists a large food court, ranging from Japanese cuisines to Western meals. Then at night, my mom would like to return to Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade again for final shopping spree. Oh well, this area is well-known for cheap and delectable beauty and cosmetic products whereby local brands such as Shiseido and Hada Labo are selling utterly cheap here. 

As for our dinner, we stumbled upon a vending machine in a small alley selling scrumptious and affordable Japanese cuisines and hence, we decided to give them a try. Turned out, both of us love it and guess what, we found another outlet of this restaurant in Kansai International Airport and we had it for the second time on our last day, before leaving Japan. By the way, the name of this restaurant - Kamukura.

#13: First time learning how to use the vending machine to order food

#14: A set of meal (both ramen and don) cost 840 yen and gyoza as side dish for 200 yen

Sayonara Japan cause on the next day onward, we moved to the former capital of Japan...

How To Get To Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Nearest station is Osakako Station on the Chuo subway line. From the station, it requires 5-10 minutes walk to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Out from the station, look for the huge Tempozan Ferris Wheel as Kaiyun located next to it.  

Admission Fee: 2,300 yen
Opening Hours: 10 am to 8 pm 

Next Post >>> Day 6: From Osaka to Kyoto [Arashiyama & Fushimi Inari Shrine]