Japan Trip 2015: Day 3 in Kyoto (Kyoto Station, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Tenryu-ji Temple, Seiryo-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Groove)

Kyoto Tower view from Kyoto Station

Day 3 started off early since we did a day trip to Kyoto. Taking a train from Osaka to Kyoto is fairly easy, just make sure you get to Osaka Station and take the Special Rapid Service to Kyoto Station. The journey takes around 45 minutes to an hour. Just make sure not to get on the local service train, as it stops more often and takes longer!

Those who are unsure of which trains and stations to transfer should refer to Hyperdia as it offers a simple and hassle-free option to plan your train routes. With this website, I was able to get around Japan with trains and not think about where to change trains as it does it all for me.

One important tip is to know where your departing station is and destination station is. If all fails, Google up the place you are heading to, chances are, they will list the nearest train station. Hyperdia is available in English, Japanese and Chinese.

Kyoto Station

Once I landed in Kyoto Station, my first stop was to get to the Tourist Information Centre. Here you can get information and help on how to get around Kyoto. Although buses are the main transportation around Kyoto, there are also trains and rickshaws!

Kyoto Station bus stop

First itinerary on the checklist is Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavillion. To get there from Kyoto Station, we took a bus from the bus stop located outside the station. Make sure to check the bus numbers to get to your destination safely!

Kyoto Bus Sightseeing 2 Day Pass

I got a 2-day bus pass for sightseeing at 2,000 yen (adult) and 1,000 yen (child) since my travel partners and I were planning to do consecutive day trips to cover the Kyoto temples and shrines. Don't forget to get the bus map from the Kyoto Tourist Information Centre as it also lists all the bus numbers, attractions and bus stops.

I also relied on Arukumachi to get around and plan my Kyoto routes. This website is in English and lists all the available routes to your destination, either by bus or train. It is similar to Hyperdia, but more accurate and localized to suit Kyoto's bus routes.

Kinkakuji-michi, bus stop for Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion

After a half an hour bus ride (with all the heavy traffic and abundance of traffic lights), we finally arrived at Kinkakuji-michi, the bus stop for those heading to Kinkakuji Temple.

Signboard to Kinkakuji Temple

When alighting from the bus we headed in the direction the other tourists we going. That's when I saw the Kinkakuji Temple signboard. Look out for it to go in the right direction!

Entrance to Kinkakuji Temple

We took a short walk and came to the entrance of the Kinkakuji Temple. It was a shady place, with trees growing on both sides of the path. I took some time here to take refuge from the hot sun. Although it was early autumn, the weather was still a little warm, only when the cool breeze blows it was perfect...

Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion

When I first saw the Golden Pavillion, it was too beautiful. As the sun was shining brightly, the heat was unbearable but it made the pavillion twinkle under its rays! It was a great sight and a memory that will last me a lifetime. There will be many tourists surrounding the pond that the Kinkakuji was made on, so take your time to admire it and wait till you get a great spot to take a picture. You will be greatly rewarded!

Saga-Arashiyama Station

We had lunch after visiting Kinkakuji Temple and got lost while finding our way to our next destination. After asking for directions from locals, we got on the train at Enmachi Station and stopped at Saga-Arashiyama Station as were were headed to the Arashiyama area.

Map to Tenryuji Temple and Bamboo Forest

We wandered around the area after we got off at the Saga-Arashiyama Station, unsure of where to go. Finally we saw a map outside a shop which had the directions to Tenryuji Temple, one of the destinations on our list.

Tenryuji Temple entrance

We finally arrived at Tenryuji Temple! It had a grand entrance and there were many tourists milling around. We started walking into the main temple area.

Raccoon dog statue

There were many small shrines along the way to the main temple, and I began to get curious of a statue of a panda looking creature with a straw hat, holding a stick. I later found out it is a native mascot of Kyoto, the raccoon dog :)

Shrine outside Tenryuji Temple

There was also a small shrine in the same area as the raccoon dog, and I couldn't help but stop to take in the Zen energy of the place. So serene, so peaceful. Yeah, I did take a picture too!

Girls in kimono outside Tenryuji Temple

As we arrived outside the Tenryuji Temple, I saw some girls in kimono. I couldn't resist taking their photo. It really looks like a scene from the past!

Tenryuji Temple's Vegetarian Cuisine

I also saw a signboard that advertised the temple's vegetarian cuisine. If you are interested, do take note that it is served from 11am-2pm.

Trishaw puller

After we were done visiting Tenryuji Temple, we walked along the walkway outside the temple. It was a long stretch of road, where buses and rickshaw pullers plod along. I managed to get a good shot of how 'old school' Kyoto's transportation is right above!

Train passing by in Kyoto

We walked on and on... and it seemed never-ending. Until we came to this train crossing! I always remembered seeing people and cars stop for a train, but that was the first time I saw it with my own eyes. It was amazing! Sorry I am so over-enthusiastic... Thank you Kyoto, for all the memories of the past that you have to share with me!

Arashiyama map

We got lost again, and finally found a map that had some English (duhhh....). We wanted to go to the Arashiyama Bamboo Groove (remember that scene from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'?) and realised we missed it while walking aimlessly from Tenryuji Temple. Turns out, we missed a turn!

Path of Bamboo, Chikurin No Komichi

We made a U-turn back and realized it was just opposite the place where we had stopped earlier to get an ice-cream! The place is named Chikurin No Komichi (Path of Bamboo). There is a signboard that leads into the path. Do keep and eye out for it if you don't want to miss it!

Kyoto Tower at night

We decided to call it a day and headed back to Kyoto Station for dinner. It was around 6pm when we reached the station, but it was already getting dark. Kyoto Tower looked pretty after it was lighted up. We weren't hungry yet, so we decided to walk around the station to take some photos. Apparently, Kyoto Station is one of the biggest stations in Japan, so we wanted to check that out too.

Staircase at Kyoto Station lighted up at night

The station was definitely huge! It was 12 floors high (if I remember correctly) with an open-air rooftop. The night breeze was super cold! I was not dressed warmly because I had consulted the weather app and it was pretty warm during the daytime in Kyoto (very spot on). I thought of travelling light, so I didn't have any long-sleeved clothing on. Bad move!

The view of Kyoto night skyline was breathtaking from the top floor of Kyoto Station. Do make a trip here at night to experience the beautiful sight!

Lipton Tea House in Kyoto Station's Porta Dining

After walking around the Ramen Street in Kyoto Station, we decided to skip it since the queues were long. We headed to Porta Dining outside the station, near where we boarded our bus in the morning. Upon entering, I saw the Lipton Tea House. LIPTON TEA HOUSE! Why don't we have this in KL? I will definitely make a stop every week! (For those not in the know, I am a huge tea fan and my favourite beverage to kick start my day: Lipton Milk Tea!)

But luck was not on my side. I could only look at the delicious sweet treats on display, and dream about sipping my tea on the soft pouf chairs in the cafe. Well, who sips tea for dinner right? :(

Chirashi, ramen and kimchi for dinner. Burp!

We had dinner at a ramen place and I saw that they had a set meal at only 1,000 yen. I had to have it since it was such a good deal. Usually in KL, the portions were small, but in Kyoto, the portion was HUGE! I had a huge bowl of ramen and a medium sized bowl of chirashi. With lots of rice... I'm totally doomed. No more Lipton cakes even for supper... My only consolation was that the refillable kimchi was superb! Ok, I had 3 refills of kimchi, and that was also pushing it!

3 Coins, upgraded version of Daiso

After dinner, we ladies needed some shopping time so we made a quick dash into 3 Coins, a chain outlet that sells everything at 300 yen (3 coins, get it?). Basically it's an upgraded version of Daiso, and the products are better in quality. I got some pretty good buys here as souvenirs. Bet they'll never know it only costs 300 yen... :P

And that wraps up my third day in Japan. I can totally live here! 

Check out my previous posts on my travels in Osaka below:

Day 1: Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, Namba Walk and Namba Parks Mall

Day 2: Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura and Dotombori

The author feels like she has stepped into the past when she landed in Kyoto. From the pretty girls in kimono to rickshaw pullers, ancient temples and shrines, old buses and steam trains, it really feels like time has stopped before the 1950s in Kyoto!

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