"WORLD OF ITS OWN (Kyoto,Nara,Osaka,Himeji & Kobe)" Top 5 Page for this destination Kyoto by bkoon

Kyoto Travel Guide: 2,227 reviews and 5,314 photos

OUR ITINERARY & PLACES COVERED

I*T*I*N*E*R*A*R*Y

DAY 1
Kyoto (Kiyomizu Dera Temple and Gion Area)

DAY 2
Kyoto (Sanjusangendo Temple, Heian Shrine, Nanjenji, Ginkajuji Temple and Karawamachi Area)

DAY 3
Kyoto (Kinkajuji Temple, Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto Modern Art Museum, and Gion Corner Cultural Performance)

DAY 4
Himeji (Himeji Castle); Kobe (Kobe Port Tower and Chinatown)

DAY 5
Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Temple); Nara (Nara Park, Kofukuji Temple, Todaiji, and Kasuga Taisha)

DAY 6
Osaka (Umeda, and Namba's Dotonbori Bridge Area)

DAY 7
Home Sweet Home

About This First Trip to Japan

Temple Well at Ryoanji Temple

Travel Mates : Younger Sister, Mummy and Auntie Christina
Duration : 1 Week (13 - 20 May 04)
Satisfaction Level of Trip : Extremely Satisfied
Salient Impression of Japan : Extremely Helpful Japanese People
Mode of Transport : Public Bus and Railways

I.M.P.R.E.S.S.I.O.N.S.

A country where I will go back again for 3 main things, the beautiful sights, the unique culture and of course, the people. This was my first trip to Japan and I briefly explored the Kansai Area. Been to Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Himeji and all these places done in a week. Incredible. It was spring time when I was there. Nope, I did not get to see the Cherry Blossom as I was there in May, not April. Missed it this time.

There were some observations which I made when I was there. How should I start? First and foremost, the people, the Japanese. Compassion, being considerate and sincere, helpfulness, respect another human being, etc are all in their culture. I shall assume that most of them are gracious human beings. I am quoting a few examples to illustrate my observations. There was once when I was trying to figure out the map which I got at the Umeda, Osaka, a girl who happened to walk pass stopped and asked whether I needed assistance then. Another time, when I asked for directions, the man whom I approached, instead of directing where I should go, he brought me and my travel mates there personally and he had to turned back to where he was heading after that. There were so many of such occasions.

The birth place of "good customer service" must be Japan. There are so much talk about the "FISH" philosophy, a great story about a fish market in Seattle and how their customers are attracted to the fish market. Well, those people must have learnt it from the Japanese as everybody do that in Japan, offering the best service with sincerity and concern to their customers and guests.

TO ME, JAPAN IS ABOUT ...

Sushi. Udon. Soba. Green tea. Geisha. Mobile phones. Uniformed students. Temples. Shrines. Zen gardens. Nice hairstyles. Bullet trains. Okinawa. Shabu-Shabu. Ryokan. Tatami mats. Airport on reclaimed land. Animation. Comics. Cartoons. Yoshitomo Nara. Castles. Cherry Blossom. Packaging. Baseball. J-League. Astro Boy. Hot baths. Kimono. Yukata. Pocky. Glico Boy. Pachinko.

The Terrible Thing Which Happened During My Trip

Eager to take good pictures in Japan, I brought some 20 rolls of films for my SLR camera (non-digital). My camera started to give me problems and it did not work anymore on the 4th day of my trip. (It is still not working.) Sigh. I had my digital compact camera with me and I thought it was a consolation. Guess what? I brought the wrong adaptor and I could not charge my camera battery and it took me quite some time before I found the adaptor (extremely costly at more than 1100 Yen at Isetan).

What a mishap!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING VTers
A2002 (Lina)
AyurinHiro (Ayuri and her hubby)
heywinks (Sonia)
colleenc66 (Colleen)
Those who replied in the forum.

Some good web-links to share :

Before Prayers at a Buddhist Temple

Sights :
Japan Travel Guide (Comprehensive)
Kyoto Travel Guide (Comprehensive)
Kansai Time-Out
Kyoto Visitors' Guide
Kyoto Shimbun News
Information on Himeji Castle
Imperial Household Agency

Nara Prefecture

Transportation :
Information on West Japan Railway - Including Kansai Area Pass
Kansai Passport
Kansai Thru Pass
Kyoto City Bus and Subway Guide

Accommodation :
Japan Hotel Network
Japanese Inn Group
Ryokan Iroha
Ryokan Ohto
Tour Club Hostel & Ryokan

Pros and Cons

Pros:Sincere and considerate people, beautiful places, wonderful food, ...
Cons:Expensive!!!
In a nutshell:Worth Going Back Again and Again!

Last visit to Kyoto: May 2004
Intro Updated Jan 31, 2005
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Reviews (54)

Make A Wish - To Visit Japan Again - Kyoto

So Many Other Sights Things to Do (15)

During this first trip to Japan, I did not manage to cover all the sights. There are so many other places which I can go... more travel advice

Gion Area Again Nightlife (6)

Beautiful lighting and decor. more travel advice

Gion Area Nightlife (6)

The Gion Area is a nice place where one can see well-restored traditional Japanese architecture. Most of them are... more travel advice

Beautifully Lighted Up in the Evening Nightlife (6)

It is wonderful to walk in the evening when the lights are on. Restaurants are usually beautifully lighted up in the... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Just to Take Note - Credit Cards
Restaurants (5)
See All Green Tea Ice-Cream
Transportation (6)
See All To and Fro Kansai International Airport
Off The Beaten Path (4)
See All Kobe - City by the Coast
Local Customs (4)
See All Staying in a Ryokan

Shopping (3)
See All Good Luck Cats
What to Pack (4)
See All Comfortable Walking Shoes
Sports & Outdoors (1)
Baseball
Hotels (5)
See All Another Fine and Affordable Ryokan
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Comments (38)

SallyM Apr 15, 2011 at 5:31 AM Report Abuse

Nice pages!
pearlcityboy Jan 18, 2009 at 3:52 PM Report Abuse

Rather than getting your yen in your local bank or exchange stn, use your credit card at any of Kyoto's post office...best rates. However, notify your bank that you will be using your card in Japan.
dieterwenck Aug 1, 2008 at 4:22 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful photos and good tips
starstudio Dec 6, 2007 at 11:54 AM Report Abuse

very nice Tokyo tips. all the best for your b-day!
Toshioohsako Dec 2, 2007 at 8:45 AM Report Abuse

Hi Interesting Kyoto photos. Hope you enjoyed there. Greetings
chodearm Oct 9, 2007 at 7:23 PM Report Abuse

Really great photos here.
akikonomu Oct 5, 2007 at 4:07 AM Report Abuse

Yes, I think they work on a totally different electrical system, we brought an adaptor, but wrong one (duh...). Their phones are also on 3G system (like Korea, where I brought my GSM phone - duh again...)
Balam Sep 24, 2007 at 9:31 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic, Thankyou for sharing your tips. I hope to go to Japan soon.
Sakura_Kobe Jun 3, 2007 at 10:13 PM Report Abuse

Hello, I am glad you had a good impression on Japanese people. Next time you will visit Kobe, please let me know. Happy treavel. Sakura_Kobe
Jennie_Ng Feb 7, 2007 at 11:54 AM Report Abuse

Bee, I'm doing research on Kansai Passport vs. Kansai Thrus Pass. The passport = with JR + must be used consecutively... Do u have any knowledge about the Kansai Thrus Pass (can skip days?) thnx